Scars needn\'t detract from woman\'s figure

Tag : Leisure Blouses
Dear Abby: At 40, I had heart surgery followed by an infection, more surgeryand six months of difficult recovery.
With the help of medical professionals and my husband's care, Ifinally healed. It has been almost five years, but I'm back to mynormal self.
My problem: I am well-endowed. I used to enjoy dressing tohighlight my assets in a ladylike way. But my cleavage is obscuredby deep, severe scarring.
On the one hand, my scar is my badge of survival. I don't try tohide it when dressing for work or leisure. On the other hand, Idon't try to flaunt it, either.
A season of summer gatherings, parties and celebrations is here,and I'd like to dress for them. Should I stick to high-collaredtops (which make me feel
frumpy) or wear dresses and blouses that reveal the scars? Myfriends are used to them, but I don't want to shock strangers atthe hors d'oeuvres table.
This might seem like vanity when so many struggle for health, butit has been difficult overcoming depression after my illness and along time since I've felt good about dressing up a little. I'd likeyour opinion.
-- Wants To Feel
Pretty Again
Dear Wants: If you wouldn't mind answering questions about your scars, thenwear the low-cut tops.
If answering questions would make you uncomfortable, consideroutfits that highlight your assets in a different way.
Dear Abby: My friend "Regina" is a wonderful person, but she has becomeobsessed with her toddler nephew, "Michael." She lives for him, andour friendship has suffered because of it.
I love Michael, too, but I don't want to hear about him 24/7. Ihave tried changing the subject when Regina starts droning on aboutevery detail of Michael's day, but she always draws the subjectback to him.
She thinks her sister and brother-in-law can't do anything rightfor the boy.
His parents are young and work full-time, so Michael is with Regina50 percent of the time and has been since the day he was born. Shehas no kids and has told me she doesn't intend to -- because shehas Michael.
I have tried talking to her about this. Finally, I exploded andtold her she has been driving me crazy with talk of nothing buthim. She answered that Michael is the only thing she knows how todo right and can talk about intelligently.
I think my friend is obsessed. What more can I do?
-- Enough Already
in Texarkana
Dear Enough: Your friend is less "obsessed" with her nephew than preoccupied.
Fifty percent of her time is spent providing child care for him.What else do you expect her to talk about?
I think it's time you cut her some slack. Suggest you do thingstogether that will give her some adult stimulation -- plays,movies, art shows, etc. It could save your sanity, improve yourrelationship and give her something else she can talk aboutintelligently.
Write Dear Abby at Universal Press Syndicate, in care of TheColumbus Dispatch, P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, Calif. 90069; for areply,
enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Or visit www.DearAbby.com .