Dear Abby: Father and son reconciliation stalls after email exchange

DEAR ABBY: I cut my father out of my life years ago, after he declared he could not support my decision to adopt three children from a Russian orphanage with my longtime companion. The adoption announcement coincided with my "coming out" to Dad, who is now married to his third wife.

This year on Father's Day, I sent him a card and he replied by email that he was glad to hear from me and he hoped for a reconciliation, but was not sure how to go about it. I responded by email that I was cautiously optimistic that we could reignite a respectful relationship. Please advise me on how to proceed.

- Prodigal Son in Calif.

DEAR SON: Call your father, tell him you love him and that you would like to schedule a visit with him - but would like to send him some reading material before you do. Then contact PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays). The phone number is 202-467-8180 and you'll find them on the Internet at pflag.org. They will be happy to provide you with literature for your dad.

DEAR ABBY: Two years ago, I proposed to the woman who changed me for the better. I love her with all my heart, but after we had been engaged for only four days, everything came to a stop. Her mother was against the marriage, and my fiancée wasn't strong enough to follow her heart. We had been in a relationship for more than nine years, most of it long-distance except for the last two years.

After getting no reason for calling off the wedding, I began texting her for an answer, only to be arrested for cyber-stalking. I know from letters sent back and forth that this wasn't her idea, but I can't let go. We made a great couple, but her mother couldn't stand the fact that we were so close.

- Grieving in Florida

DEAR GRIEVING: You may not believe this, but you're a lucky man to have avoided having such a controlling mother-in-law in your life. It may take awhile move on, but it's the right thing to do.