DEAR ABBY: I have a question about how to handle a situation with one of my grandsons. "Rory" came to me recently to talk about religion. His mother is Christian; I am not. He asked what I thought about his mother forcing him to go to church. He has many doubts about Christianity.

I tried to understand Christianity for more than 50 years, and about 20 years ago I found peace with the faith I now practice. My daughter doesn't want me to talk to her children about my path.

My question is, how do I address this issue with my grandson without confusing him even more? Any help would be appreciated because I don't want to go against his mother's wishes. -- FOUND MY PEACE

DEAR FOUND YOUR PEACE: Answer your grandson's question honestly. He asked you what you thought about his being forced to go to church. He did not ask you how you found your peace -- or if you did. Sooner or later, he will find his own peace, and probably the same way you did -- by searching for it. Do not push him -- or pull him -- in any direction and keep the peace with his mother.

DEAR ABBY: For many years I have been depressed about my father's opinion of me. Dad died 30 years ago thinking I was a screwup who would never amount to anything, and at the time it was true.

Since his death I have turned my life around. I have been married for 38 years, raised a fine son and I am successful in my career.

Still, I can't get past his feeling of disappointment in me at the time of his death. It haunts me daily that I was a loser while he was alive. Any advice to stop feeling guilty? -- REGRETFUL SON

DEAR SON: Not everyone matures at the same rate, and you may have been a late bloomer. Try telling yourself that you are sorry for whatever your sin of omission was, and then give yourself a dose of forgiveness.

If that doesn't do the trick, then instead of torturing yourself, discuss this with a licensed mental health professional. Remember, no one can change the past. We can, however, change the present, and by doing so, positively affect our future.

DEAR ABBY: For many years I have been depressed about my father's opinion of me. Dad died 30 years ago thinking I was a screwup who would never amount to anything, and at the time it was true.

Since his death I have turned my life around. I have been married for 38 years, raised a fine son and I am successful in my career.

Still, I can't get past his feeling of disappointment in me at the time of his death. It haunts me daily that I was a loser while he was alive. Any advice to stop feeling guilty? -- REGRETFUL SON

DEAR SON: Not everyone matures at the same rate, and you may have been a late bloomer. Try telling yourself that you are sorry for whatever your sin of omission was, and then give yourself a dose of forgiveness.

If that doesn't do the trick, then instead of torturing yourself, discuss this with a licensed mental health professional. Remember, no one can change the past. We can, however, change the present, and by doing so, positively affect our future.

DEAR ABBY: I am almost 13 and I'm struggling with a lot of different things. I was adopted when I was a baby, so I never lived with my birth mother. That's probably a good thing, but I am having angry feelings toward her that I wish I wouldn't have. Those feelings are also being directed at friends and family members.

I'll think I have forgiven my birth mother for what she did, and then all of a sudden, I realize I never really did. I don't want to grow up being bitter all my life. Do you have any advice for me? -- NEEDS HELP IN INDIANA

DEAR NEEDS HELP: Yes. It is important you understand that birth mothers love their babies very much. When a woman places her child for adoption, there can be legitimate reasons for it. She may have been too young to raise a child, without the means to properly support it or addicted to drugs or alcohol. Your mother may have wanted you to have a better life than she had and felt another family could give it to you.

When you are older, you can do a search for her and find out the reason for yourself. But in the meantime, stop blaming her -- and you, your friends and family will be happier.

DEAR ABBY: I'm really confused about what to do about a couple of situations. I'm a 17-year-old high school senior and I have feelings for a 23-year-old single father. We have talked on and off over the past year. He said that once my 18th birthday came around he was going to "make me a very happy girl."

After I recently told him I was afraid we might not get together when the time came, we stopped talking. Now the mother of his child is back in the picture, and I'm glad for the baby's sake. I don't know for sure they're getting back together, though.

My second issue is about my feelings for a 20-year-old college student who's going away to an out-of-state school. He claims he's not the best guy for me, but I don't believe that. I told him I liked him regardless of what he says. I think he likes me, too, but it's not always clear. What should I do? -- SCATTERED IN CALIFORNIA

DEAR SCATTERED: For the next year or so, your first priority should be your future -- and I don't mean with a man. Before becoming seriously involved with anyone you must complete your education and establish some economic independence.

You were right to speak up about your concerns regarding your relationship with the first man you mentioned. That there is another woman in the picture -- even if she was in the background -- would have meant complications. Whether or not they get back together, the fact they have a child together means she may always be a presence in this man's life -- or could pop up at any time and cause disruption. Clearly, right now, he has unfinished business with her.

As to the second issue -- this young man may like you very much, but when a man tells a woman he is not the right man for her, what he usually means is that she is not the right woman for him. He may want to do what I'm advising you to do -- complete his education before becoming romantically involved. Or, he may feel the "chemistry" isn't quite right. If you accept it and move on, you'll save yourself some heartache.

DEAR ABBY: My husband of 28 years had a bone marrow transplant, and six months ago he learned who his donor was. He now wants to meet up with the person. Turns out, it was a woman.

I'm not usually a jealous person, but it's all he ever talks about every single minute of the day. He wants to meet her two hours from where we live. I am fine with it, but I'm tired of hearing how "great" she is. What can I do to keep the peace in my house? -- WIFE OF A TRANSPLANT

DEAR WIFE: Because of your husband's donor, you are a wife and not a widow. A step in the right direction would be to regard her as the person who saved your husband's life at a point when you could have lost him.

Of course he thinks she is "great." Not everyone is willing to be tested to see if it's possible to be a bone marrow donor. I think she is great, too.

Please calm down. With the passage of time, your husband will not feel the need to speak about her as often.

DEAR ABBY: My boyfriend booked a cruise with his ex-wife to celebrate their son's eighth birthday. They plan to share the same cabin. He has mentioned at least twice in the past that she wants him back, but now he denies having said it.

I didn't expect him to pay for my ticket (I can afford it), but an invite would have been nice. I have included him in my children's celebrations and have stood by him through difficult times. I have yet to meet the ex, so there's no animosity between us.

When I suggested separate cabins would be appropriate and affordable considering they had booked a suite, and two regular cabins are about half the price, he flat-out told me I'm not invited. He says this isn't about "us" but about his son, whom I get along with.

I love this man and feel this isn't just about trust, although he has been less than truthful lately. I don't want to have to wonder what happened in that cabin when their son was asleep or at the kids' club or when they had a bit too much to drink.

Am I unreasonable in thinking sharing such close quarters with an ex is inappropriate? Should I jump ship from this relationship? He clearly could care less about my feelings. -- WAITING AT THE DOCK

DEAR WAITING: When parents separate, most children hope and pray they will find a way to get back together. If your boyfriend and his ex are sure that isn't going to happen, then it really isn't right to bunk together and get their son's hopes up only to be disappointed when the ship returns to shore.

That this man acts like your feelings are irrelevant and isn't always truthful are huge red flags and do not bode well for your future if you continue with him. I don't know how much time you have invested, but if more of the same is what's in store, you'd be better off to cut your losses and bail.