Dear Abby: Abandonment during cancer and practical dress for outdoors-based job interviews

Two Dear Abby letters published by the New York Post highlight how readers navigate intimate relationships and practical decisions in midlife. One Florida reader asks whether to reconcile with an ex-husband who abandoned her during breast cancer treatment; a second reader seeks guidance on how to dress for a job interview for a position that will be largely outdoors.

In the first exchange, a woman who spent 36 years with the same partner divorced him three years ago because of gambling and controlling behavior. The couple had moved to the United States about 27 years ago, and he rarely handled bills or financial duties. When she was diagnosed with breast cancer two years ago, he was cruel during the first round of chemotherapy and she told him to leave. They were out of contact for almost a year until she ran into him in a store; he appeared distressed and cried, and since then they have spoken and he has expressed a desire to return. Her son, now 33, who has no relationship with the father, strongly opposes the idea, worrying that his father only wants a safe place to land. The column urges readers to focus on the here and now and not the gossip of their hometown and to remember why the marriage ended in the first place. The guidance is to listen to the son’s advice and to prioritize mutually respectful relationships over attempts to rekindle a troubled partnership.

In the second letter, a reader who earned a master’s degree asks how to dress for a job interview when the position will involve outdoor work and possible harsh weather. The interviewer might not expect heavy outdoor gear, but the job requires some physical activity. The reader, who is petite and aware of stereotypes about the field, wonders whether to show up in office clothes or in the attire she would wear on the job. Dear Abby’s advice is pragmatic: wear slacks and a clean, pressed shirt with sturdy shoes. The outfit should be practical and ready for field conditions while still making a positive impression in the office setting. The guidance emphasizes demonstrating knowledge of what the work will entail rather than defaulting to traditional office wear.

Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Readers can reach out to Dear Abby at DearAbby.com or through the column’s publishing platforms. The guidance here reflects a long-running, widely syndicated advice voice that has shaped discussions about personal relationships and professional presentation for decades.

The two letters in this latest posting illustrate how readers rely on Abby’s responses to navigate complex life events, from domestic dynamics and illness to career-critical decisions. The timing of the feature places it in a contemporary media landscape where legacy advice columns continue to resonate in the culture and entertainment dialogue, offering a window into ordinary people facing high-stakes choices in their daily lives.