Dear Old Guy welcomes letters on all subjects, including love, marriage, child rearing, even basic plumbing and medical advice. What he doesn’t know, he is happy to make up. After all, he’s just an opinionated Old Guy.

Submit your questions to Dear Old Guy here.

Dear Old Guy,

My problem is serious. My boyfriend Barry hardly ever talks to me, sends me texts or stuff like that and we never get together. My girlfriends tell me that probably Barry doesn’t like me. I can’t believe them. Do you think my girlfriends are right and should I dump him?                                               

 Signed, Stuck in limbo

Dear Stuck,

Dump him? I think you have been beaten to the punch. Now listen, you didn’t mention how old you are but if you are in middle school then I understand why you haven’t a clue and well, that’s forgivable.

Now, here’s a hint for a female type of any age, if you yielded to Barry because you thought he liked you and that’s when he dropped out of sight, then take heed. What you are experiencing is not uncommon. Just remember that physical intimacy does not necessarily bring emotional intimacy. I say this with all sympathy; you have been dumped but now let’s hope you aren’t pregnant or contagious. Please learn from this experience. —O.G.

Dear Old Guy,          

For our wedding this June my in laws are buying us a really nice house. My concern is that his parents are insisting that the house be in their son’s name only. It certainly doesn’t feel like they have much faith in the marriage. This whole affair really gives me pause. My fiancé won’t take sides. Well?

Signed, June Bride

Dear June,

You are right to think twice about this arrangement. But, in the spirit of compromise, tell your future in-laws you will go along with the house thing if their son agrees in writing that any children born are in your name only. Let me know how things work out! —O.G.

Dear Old Guy,

I am writing in response to the question posed by " No Matter What", who were about to have the special needs child. Please share this with them.

When I was 10 years old my sister was born. With in a few weeks my mother (a wise woman with three other children) knew something was very wrong. Several months and a lot of doctors and specialists later we knew my sister was handicapped. She had cerebral palsy, and mental retardation. The doctors all said my sister should be institutionalized, that she would never walk or talk or care for herself.

My mother heard all the "expert" advice; she listened and then went home and cried. She cried off and on for a few days then decided that my sister was not leaving her side.

They started on a long path with the help of some great people at the United Way and an amazing team of OT, PT and speech therapists. At four, my sister took her first steps using a toy for support, at seven she spoke her first words, at 23 she graduated high school and today she is living in her own apartment with some support people who come in several times a week.

Many people will tell you to give up, they won't understand and in their attempts to help they will cause you hurt and even pain. They mean no harm. I applaud you. You are true heros! You will find this little one will be an amazing gift. You will struggle and at times it will be hard and even thou he/she may never run or walk or play the love you'll have for them will never go away. My sister is my hero she has struggled and she has overcome. Her struggles put mine in perspective. My mom is even more my hero because of her my sister stayed with us and because of both of them I am a BLESSED SISTER.

Dear Blessed,

  Wow. Thanks for taking the time to share your family’s story. Not everyone is able to rise to the occasion. Glad to see how things can work out! —O.G.