DEAR ABBY: I am a widow who has fallen in love with a wonderful man who is almost 30 years my junior. He proclaims his love for me every day, and I know it's real. I have been warned by others to be aware of "devious males on the make for comfortably situated widows." After discussing it with the man, I have determined this is not his motive.

Right now, we're good friends who love each other's company. If marriage is in the future for us, I'm afraid of the age factor. He is not. Could you comment and give me some guidance? -- CAUTIOUS IN KANSAS

DEAR CAUTIOUS: Everyone knows there are devious males -- and females -- out there, but not all men are predators. If your friend is financially independent, then it's unlikely he's looking for a sugar mama. While it is unusual, I know several couples in which the wife is considerably older than the husband, and they seem very happy together.

If and when you plan to marry, it makes sense to discuss this with your attorney and have a prenuptial agreement created. If your friend has no ulterior motives, he will understand it's for the protection of both of you and sign it. You have only one life to live -- so live it without worrying about what others may think.

DEAR ABBY: I just opened my social media account and saw a friend had posted her daughter's report card -- all A's. She then went on to say how proud she was of her because she is also co-captain of her school's volleyball team, and mentoring other students, etc. You get the picture.

My son is suffering from depression and social anxiety, and we are fighting to keep him from failing all his classes. He's going to therapy and is on medication.

Abby, isn't it in poor taste to publicly show your child's report card? My son used to get straight A's before his depression, and I would have never posted his grades. Now I am becoming resentful of friends whose kids are doing well. What advice can you give me besides not opening up my social media account again? -- BAD FEELINGS

DEAR BAD FEELINGS: I hope you realize that what this friend is doing is the same as parents who plaster bumper stickers on their vehicles that read "MY CHILD IS AN HONOR STUDENT." If this woman's posts upset you because of the challenges your son is dealing with, customize your social media feed to omit posts from her. That way you won't have to cut yourself off from social media entirely.

DEAR ABBY: Have you ever -- out of the blue -- thought of someone you hadn't seen, heard from or thought of in a long time, and later discovered they died around that time? This has happened to me more times than I can count. No one I have spoken with -- friends or family -- has experienced this. Have you ever heard of this phenomenon, and is there a name for it? -- MISS J. IN OKLAHOMA

DEAR MISS J.: I have never had that experience, but I have heard of the phenomenon. It's called either ESP or coincidence, depending upon which psychic plane you dwell. However, I have had friends "pop into my head" and thought I should give them a call, only to hear from them a few days later.

DEAR ABBY: My husband and I are pregnant with our first child. We are beyond excited and can't wait for our little one to get here. Our problem: My mother-in-law is getting married two weeks after our baby is supposed to arrive, and she's expecting all of us to go.

While I'm happy she has found someone she wants to spend her life with, I will not be there and neither will our child. I have told my husband this and explained my concerns, but I will support him if he decides to go since it's his mother.

How can I turn her down in a polite way so it doesn't sound like I'm a horrible daughter-in-law? -- FIRST-TIME MAMA

DEAR FIRST-TIME MAMA: Unless a woman is having a C-section, babies don't always arrive on the expected due date. Sometimes they can be a week late -- or more. If you feel you need time to rest, recuperate and get your child on a regular nursing schedule, tell that to your mother-in-law.

As a new mother you are going to have to quickly learn to prioritize, and your child's well-being and your health must come first. Expect her to be disappointed, but make clear that you love her and wish her a lifetime of happiness, but you will be unable to attend.

DEAR ABBY: Is it OK for an older woman to wear fancy, colorful tights? My wife is 5 feet tall and weighs 110. She's in good health and works out at the gym regularly. She wears her tights there, or when she's working in the garden or at the market. She dresses conservatively for work and church.

I overheard some of the local ladies say she shouldn't be wearing leopard tights "at her age." I'm afraid my wife will overhear it one of these days and be hurt. What is your opinion? She still looks wonderful to me. -- MARRIED TO A HOTTIE

DEAR MARRIED: As an adult -- and in good shape -- your wife should wear anything that pleases her, including leopard tights if she wishes. It appears the local women are more jealous kitties than ladies. "Nice" ladies don't make catty comments behind someone's back.

DEAR ABBY: On Oct. 11 you printed my letter about feeling like an overlooked middle child. In the comments on your website was an outpouring of support and friendly tips. I am happy to say I am now involved in extracurricular activities. I'm much happier, and would like to thank all your readers who took the time to give me so much support. -- FORMERLY NOWHERE IN INDIANA

DEAR FORMERLY NOWHERE: Thank you for letting us know that you're happier and doing better. Dear Abby readers are the most caring and generous people in the world. I'm glad their comments in response to your letter gave you the boost you needed to get through a difficult time.

DEAR ABBY: I'm a 50-year-old man in a relationship with a woman who is 42. She says I need to trade in my briefs for boxer shorts because they are outdated and "nobody wears those" anymore. She also told me only 9-year-old boys wear tighty whities and they are a turn-off.

I have always worn fly-front briefs. I don't like boxers because I find them uncomfortable. What can I do to fix this problem? She will not look at it from my perspective. -- LIKES IT BRIEF IN FLORIDA

DEAR LIKES IT BRIEF: Really? If you allow this woman to dictate what kind of underwear you wear now, she'll be wearing the pants during your entire relationship if you stay with her. Tell her once and for all that if wearing boxers is so important to her, she should buy herself a pair.

DEAR ABBY: I think my sister "Gladys" is a lesbian. And I don't know how to approach her to ask.

I think she's a lesbian because at 44 she has never been married. She hasn't even had a boyfriend since 1998. She still lives with our parents and acts like she's daddy's little girl. She does everything with Dad, and Mom usually stays home.

My sister is an RN and has only one friend from the hospital where she works. Of course, that friend is a woman. How can I ask my sister if she prefers women and why she is still alone at her age? -- BIG BROTHER IN CALIFORNIA

DEAR BIG BROTHER: I would caution you against doing that. If you and your sister were close and she was gay, she would have said something to you by now. Not all women meet the right man, and not all women these days want to be married. It does not mean they are lesbians.

Your sister is gainfully employed, so the fact that she lives with your parents does not mean she's financially exploiting them. That you would call her "daddy's little girl" is pejorative and implies that you're jealous of the relationship she has with your father, which is why I think you should MYOB.

DEAR ABBY: I was invited to an event and sent back an RSVP. Two days before the event, I caught a cold. Because I had already accepted, I decided to go. When I arrived, I saw several people I knew. Each of them tried to hug me, but I told them I had a cold and thought it best not to get too close. All but one recoiled and turned away from me.

I sat at a separate table so as not to infect anyone. Although I thought I had done the right thing, I felt like I was being treated like a leper. Should I have stayed home, mentioned my cold or just behaved like "business as usual"? -- "TYPHOID TINA" IN FLORIDA

DEAR "TYPHOID TINA": When you realized that you had come down with a cold and might be contagious, you should have immediately contacted your host, declined the invitation and explained that you didn't want to risk spreading it. That's the considerate way to handle it, and it would have been appreciated.