How should I interpret this strange incident with the flashlight?

Dear Abby: Last year, I gave my father a cool flashlight for his birthday. It was rechargeable and had a functionality that made it work like a lantern.

He seemed excited about this and later told me that he had used it.

Abby, this week, my father made me the pocket lamp as a gift. Not only did that, he continued to know how thoughtful he was to “find” this unusual gadget for me!

He kept asking if I loved him. I said, yes, I thought it was cool, that’s why I gave it last year. He did not seem to understand what I said and asked me several times to tell him how much I appreciated the gift.

I decided not to make a big problem on this subject, but I think our two feelings were injured.

Is this kind of forgetting a sign of something bigger than I should worry? He does the typical old man to repeat the stories of good days, but this kind of pure and simple forgetting is new.

– Regifted in Washington

Dear Régifted: Yes, in addition to repeating stories about “good days Ole”, something like that is a source of concern.

If your mother is still in the photo, mention him how far your father was out of character. Ask if she has noticed changes. If she did, suggest that when he sees his doctor for his next physique, he is evaluated neurologically to be sure that nothing is bad.

If he lives alone, discuss it with your brothers and sisters, if you have them, and suggest that “someone” accompanies the father of his next medical appointment.

Dear Abby: I am a single parent of two girls.

My older, “Becca”, is 17 years old. She goes out with this guy and, as soon as she graduated, plans to move with him and two of her friends (another couple).

What worries me is that their relationship is quite toxic. They always fight. I begged her not to move with him, but she will not move.

Becca has abandonment problems. His mother left us when Becca was a baby, and my second wife was emotionally violent for everyone before divorcing. I think that is why Becca refuses to see how bad his own relationship is.

How can I show Becca that it makes a huge mistake? I don’t want her to find herself stuck in a horrible relationship. I also worry that she immediately falls pregnant because none of them can control themselves. Please help.

– Single dad in Arizona

Dear daddy: After a year of fighting with her boyfriend, Becca could change his mind to penetrate with him once she graduated. (We can only hope.)

However, if she doesn’t do it, try to arrive at a compromise with her. Tell her that you love her and your door will always be open if she needs to go home.

Ask Becca if it would be willing to start using long -term birth control (reversible), such as a contraceptive IUD or implant, to make sure that it is protected from an unplanned pregnancy, which could disturb his life. Your family doctor can explain his options to him if she wants. (I cross my fingers that she sees wisdom.)

Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby on www.dearabby.com or Po Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.