DEAR ABBY: I met "Bobbie" when we were in college in the early 1970s. We fell in love, got married and stayed together for seven years. Things changed; our divorce was amicable. We went on to successful professional lives and happy second marriages. We stayed in touch over the years, mostly through holiday cards.

A few years ago, I started getting emails from Bobbie about things and ideas we shared together. She lost her husband earlier this year, and I lost my wife about the same time. I stopped by to see her last summer during a visit with some other friends, and we had a nice visit over brunch. She looked good.

Would I be crazy to see if I could rekindle our relationship after 50 years? She lives a long way away now, but I've thought several times about moving back to the area where I grew up. It's clear we still share the ideals of our youth, and I'll admit I've always had a soft spot for her. I don't have much to offer these days, but I get kind of lonely. -- LOOKING BACK IN WYOMING

DEAR LOOKING BACK: I don't think it would be crazy at all to explore rekindling your relationship with her, but please take your time. If you want to move back to the area where you grew up, keep that issue separate from the romance. It would be unfortunate if you relocated, things didn't work out as you hoped, you had given up all of your social contacts and you had to start completely over solo.

DEAR ABBY: My son married my daughter's best friend, "Kayla." I have loved this young lady since she was a little girl. When Kayla became part of the family, I was overjoyed.

Kayla and my son now have had a baby, and I am not allowed to see the child. The only people who get to see the baby are Kayla's mother and her mother's family. Kayla's parents are divorced, so her father doesn't see his grandchild often either, but it's far more often than my husband and I do. I wrote a text to my son. It wasn't a nice one, but please remember I haven't been able to see my grandchild.

I don't know what to do. I'm heartbroken. I did tell them I was sorry and I shouldn't have written what I did, but they still keep me at arm's length. In addition, they have just announced that I'm going to be a grandmother again. I'm not overjoyed about the news, knowing what it's been like with this first child. I'm sure it will be more of the same with the new baby. I love my grandchildren and their parents, but I'm tired of being the bad guy. Advice? -- KEPT AWAY IN TENNESSEE

DEAR KEPT AWAY: It is not unusual for new mothers to gravitate toward their own mothers after the birth of a child. Why do I suspect there may be more to this estrangement than one nasty text written to your son? I wish you had mentioned what may have caused a rift between you and Kayla, whom you say you have loved since she was a little girl.

Because apologizing to your son and daughter-in-law was not enough to assuage their anger, you are finally going to have to accept that this regrettable situation is one you cannot change on your own.

DEAR ABBY: I am 67, and my husband is 68. For the past six years, we have been caring for aging parents. My father-in-law, who had Alzheimer's, passed away a few years ago. We went through a lot with him as his illness progressed. My mother-in-law is 87 and does not want to go into a nursing home. She still lives by herself, but my sister-in-law and I take turns cooking and bringing her food, and my husband works his tail off cutting the grass and doing maintenance and repairs she can no longer do. Although we are retired, our lives revolve around her needs.

I recently had a conversation with my daughter, my only child. She has three sets of parents -- us, my ex and his wife and her husband's parents. She said she loves us, but she doesn't want to take care of any of us. When she retires, she wants to enjoy her retirement, travel and not have to worry about caring for anybody.

Having gone through it myself, I understand her feelings. Nobody WANTS to do this. At the same time, I'm a little hurt. All that we have -- money, cars, house -- is set up to go to her after we pass. Now it looks like we may need it to pay for assisted living. Abby, is it normal for kids these days to refuse to help aging parents? -- REVISING PLANS IN MISSOURI

DEAR REVISING: I don't know whether it has become "normal," but it is not unusual. Woe to any parent who assumes their children will take care of them, because it doesn't always turn out that way. Be glad your daughter is speaking up now, so you can plan accordingly.

DEAR ABBY: I lost my beloved mother-in-law five years ago. Since then, my father-in-law has become engaged to a woman who, frankly, is not liked by anyone in our family. She's unkind and dismissive, and her presence creates tension at family gatherings.

They have now announced their wedding date, which happens to fall on my birthday. This has hit me hard. My parents have both passed away, and my birthday has always been a cherished day, filled with memories and meaning. It was one of the few days I felt truly celebrated. Now, I worry that every future birthday will be overshadowed by their anniversary and the complicated emotions tied to it.

Would it be selfish or inappropriate to ask them to consider a different date? I don't want to cause drama, but I also feel deeply hurt. How do I navigate this without making things worse? -- TORN BETWEEN GRACE AND GRIEF

DEAR TORN: I am sorry for your disappointment, but the date of your birth does not belong solely to you. It's clear that you disapprove of your father-in-law's choice of a second wife, and I sincerely hope you will be able to adjust. I do not think it will go over well if you approach the happy couple and ask them to change the date of their nuptials to accommodate you.

DEAR ABBY: I am 57 and have never been married. I have had many relationships (some good, some bad). Although in the past I experienced heartbreaks, I am now open to meeting someone new.

I recently ended a relationship with "Bill," a man I met at a resort casino three years ago. I was happy in the beginning, until things started to take a turn. Because we go to the same places all the time, it was hard to break it off. I tried, but Bill would run back to me, and I always took him back, mostly because I felt guilty for hurting him. I finally ended things for good four months ago, after he did something very rude. A neighbor later told me that Bill was stalking me. Bill denies this, even though I have proof.

Abby, I am writing because, for some reason, I'm still drawn to him. He's the only man in my life who ever told me he loves me. I'm afraid no one will ever love me the way he does. I know the stalking is a sign that he is mentally unwell, yet we keep bumping into each other, which has caused this pull to want to be with him. I can't afford therapy right now, so any advice you can give me to move beyond this "pull" I have for him would be appreciated. -- HEART RULING THE HEAD

DEAR HEART: Honey, if you no longer frequent the places you used to frequent together and keep running into him anyway, has it occurred to you that it's happening BECAUSE HE'S STILL STALKING YOU? If you're still going to the same places, it's time to change your routine. This troubled individual may be the only person who has said "I love you," but he won't be the last if you open yourself to other relationships.

You say you can't afford therapy, but please be aware that free or low-cost counseling is available from your county's department of mental health services or a local college or university with a psychology department.

DEAR ABBY: I've been talking to a famous pro wrestler who is having marriage problems. He has been hitting on me through Google Chat. I just want to be a supportive friend whom he can vent to. He says his wife "is getting too old for him," if you know what I mean. They have a joint bank account, but he says it's frozen. He has asked me for an Apple card. I told him no and to ask his extended family instead.

Abby, I need my money to help out my brothers and sister. I'd prefer he be like a friend or big brother to me. I need major advice, please, because it feels like my life is going out of control. -- UNCERTAIN IN IDAHO

DEAR UNCERTAIN: People must exercise caution when communicating with strangers online. "Famous pro wrestlers" usually have enough money that they aren't reduced to hitting up women they meet on the internet for Apple cards. Your life will not "go out of control" unless you allow it to. Regain control by ghosting and blocking this person. He's a scammer, and he, not you, should figure out his own financial problems.