DEAR ABBY: I'm the mother of a U.S. Navy sailor who has been the recipient of random acts of kindness from complete strangers. I was most affected personally when a woman stopped us in a large parking garage in Chicago to say, "Thank you for your service, young man." And there was a stranger who paid for my son's meal in an airport when he had a layover on his way home for Christmas. Another time, we were in a line to see a movie and the attendant waved us to the front of the line -- and everyone smiled about it.

Whenever my son goes anywhere in uniform, he's stopped by people who just want to say thank you.

I'm amazed and thrilled. Part of the reason I am so touched is I was a teenager living in San Diego during the Vietnam era. At that time, young people in the military were cursed and reviled. It was a shameful time in our history when people serving their country could not be proud of their service. Today, I am proud of my son, and he is able to be proud of himself and his decision to enlist in the Navy.

So, thank you to all you folks who show your gratitude to our service members by the little things you do. You not only touch that person, but their extended family as well. -- PROUD MOM IN OVERLAND PARK, KAN.

DEAR PROUD MOM: I'm pleased to pass along your sentiments -- and honored you chose me to be the messenger. All of us owe our thanks and support to those brave young men and women who have dedicated themselves -- and who risk their lives -- in service to our country. Not only should we thank them when we see them, but we should also pray for their safe return.

DEAR ABBY: I work in a large department store attached to a shopping mall. Because many of the stores have no restrooms, customers come into our store to use the facilities. I'm happy they do because it gives us more business. However, I'm confused by some of the patrons.

I think it shows good manners to end a cell phone call when visiting a restroom. While I was in there today, a woman entered the stall next to me and continued talking on her phone the entire time she was in there! It's disgusting, but it happens all the time. I'm uncomfortable using the restroom while someone is on the phone, and I'd be very offended if I was on the other end of the line.

What's proper etiquette regarding cell phones in public restrooms? Is there anything I could say to someone who does this? -- TRYING TO DO MY BUSINESS

DEAR TRYING: Your complaint is one I'm hearing increasingly often. For your safety, I do not advise correcting the manners of a stranger. While common sense and consideration for others (including the person on the other end of the line as well as the occupant of the next stall) would dictate conversation be put on hold while on the toilet, nothing you or I can do will prevent this invasion of personal privacy -- short of bringing a loud whoopee cushion with you during breaks and squeezing it in self-defense.

P.S. If you think we have it bad in the ladies' room, I have also heard about men talking on their cell phones while standing at the urinals. Heaven help us.

DEAR ABBY: I recently ran into "Grace," who was a dear friend back in elementary school. Back then my parents helped her mother flee and divorce her abusive husband. At age 12 we lost touch because Grace moved to another school and joined a "bad crowd."

Eighteen years later I was happy to see her again, and gave her my phone number. I have the feeling something is a bit "off" about Grace now. She has called me repeatedly and in her messages she sounds nervous and stumbles over her words. When I called her back, she told me she was in a serious car accident nine years ago and hasn't held a job since. The entire conversation was strange, and my gut is telling me Grace has a drug problem.

She has asked me to lunch to "catch up." I'm a stay-at-home mom and not comfortable meeting her in person, especially with my kids. I feel guilty for not wanting to see someone I was so close to when I was young, and for assuming she has a drug problem.

Am I wrong in making this assumption? Should I stop returning her calls and ignore her, or should I see her to make a determination? -- ALL GROWN UP IN VEGAS

DEAR ALL GROWN UP: You are wrong to prejudge the woman. While it's possible Grace has a drug problem, it is also possible that the car accident left her with an injury that has affected her speech. See her without your children and make a determination.

If she is impaired because of injury, would that make a difference in how you feel about her? Your lives have gone in different directions. She appears to be needy. With your responsibilities as a parent, how much time and effort would you be able to devote to her? Only you can answer these questions. But to take the coward's way out and ignore her would be cruel.

DEAR ABBY: I am a 40-year-old single mom who is just getting back into the dating scene after being divorced for a year and a half. There is a guy, "Hank," I'm interested in getting to know better. We both have kids who go to the same high school. We have gone to several out-of-town football games with our kids and have texted each other often.

What's bothering me is Hank has never asked me on a one-on-one date. Should I ask him, or should I wait for him to make the first move? I don't want to appear desperate, but I really would like to get closer. -- STEPPING BACK INTO THE SCENE

DEAR STEPPING BACK: I wish you had given me a little more information about Hank -- such as why he's raising his children alone and for how long, and whether he dates at all. However, I don't think it would be overly aggressive to say (casually) to him, "You know, we never get a chance to talk one-on-one, and I'd like to get to know you better. Why don't we have dinner one night?" It's not an obvious proposition, and if he's at all interested he'll agree.

DEAR READERS: To those of you living where daylight saving time is observed, I offer this gentle reminder: Don't forget to turn your clocks forward one hour at bedtime tonight. Daylight saving time begins at 2 a.m. tomorrow, and you know what that means -- spring is on the way!

To order "How to Write Letters for All Occasions," send a business-sized, self-addressed envelope, plus check or money order for $6 (U.S. funds) to: Dear Abby -- Letter Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Postage is included in the price.)

DEAR ABBY: My 3-year-old son is terminally ill. My sister-in-law, "Anita," has a son who is a year old. Anita always wants to compete for attention between the two boys. She makes nasty comments to family members, suggesting that her son is ignored while mine gets all the attention. No one says anything to her because they're afraid of her "blowups."

I don't know how much longer I can live with this. It is hard enough watching my son slip away a little more each day, but having to deal with this has pushed me over the edge. How can I handle a crazy in-law in this situation? -- FALLING APART IN ILLINOIS

DEAR FALLING APART: Please accept my sympathy for the heartache you are experiencing. It's a shame that no one in the family is willing to point out to your volatile sister-in-law that the "annoyance" she's feeling is selfish and insensitive.

However, because no one is, it might be better that Anita be excluded from family gatherings in which she might feel her son is getting short shrift. And you should ask the person who is repeating her complaints to you to please stop sharing them. That should solve your problem.

DEAR ABBY: I am a married man, but not happily. I have been taking the kids on play dates with a neighbor woman who has been kind enough to meet with the children and doesn't seem to care too much that I'm a guy. As you can imagine, most women will not bother to befriend a man they know is married.

She has two kids who are close in age to mine. She is 19 years younger than I am and lives with her boyfriend.

I have fallen in love with her. I know I can't tell her, and I doubt she feels the same toward me. When we part, we do hug each other. It makes me feel fantastic, something I haven't experienced for a long time.

Should I continue getting together with her or should I avoid her? I feel both happy and sad when I see her because I realize she is basically out of reach. -- PERPLEXED IN WISCONSIN

DEAR PERPLEXED: You feel lonely and isolated. It is understandable that you would be drawn to whatever warmth you can get, but this young woman is not the answer to your problem. Call a halt to this relationship so that you can work on your real problem -- which is your unhappy marriage. Once you sort that out, everything else will fall into place. But continuing to see this woman as things are will only perpetuate your pain.

DEAR ABBY: A few months ago I ran into an old friend at the spa. She told me to call her and plan to get together with her. I have called her, but she never seems receptive to actually getting together. She called me once and invited me over to sit by the pool, but that's been the extent of it.

We're both married with children and work part time. I feel as though I'm bothering her when I call since she never makes an effort to return my calls or accept my invitations. However, when we run into each other at events or the spa, she's chatty and friendly.

Should I stop putting out the effort? -- CAN'T FIGURE IT OUT

DEAR CAN'T: Yes. You've taken the first step, and the second. The ball is now in her court. Stop calling and let her make the next move. If she doesn't, she was probably making polite conversation when she suggested you get together.