DR. WALLACE: My parents divorced four years ago and I live with my mom. After the divorce, mom told me that she never wants to have another man in her life. Since then, things have changed. Lately, she has been dating a guy who works with her in a lawyer's office and she says that she really likes him. He is very nice to me, but I can't like him because I love my dad very much and I don't want this guy to be my stepfather.

I told my mom that I tried to like her boyfriend, but I just don't, and I would never allow him to replace my real dad. I don't want to hurt my mom, but I'll never accept this man to treat me like a daughter. Help! — Nameless, Rock Island, Ill.

NAMELESS: If it happens that Mom marries this man, he would be your stepfather in name only, and this would not destroy the love you have for your father. Mom's happiness is paramount and you must do all you can to see that it is, and that's why you must accept him as a new member of the family and do all you can to make your "new family" a happy family.

Spend time with your own father whenever you can and enjoy his love for you. His love for you will never end.

PEOPLE REALLY DID LOVE ME

DR. WALLACE: Several years ago, I was totally alone and depressed. I honestly believed that nobody loved me or even cared for me. My depression led me to an 80-foot-high bridge near San Francisco, and my loneliness told me to jump. Once I was airborne I realized that I didn't really want to die, but I thought it was too late. Fortunately, The Almighty intervened and allowed me to live.

The jump broke all the bones in my ankles and crushed both heels. My hip was broken in three places and I also broke my back. My hospital stay lasted over three months. And all this happened because I thought, "What difference does it make? Nobody cares about me."

Now, I am once again walking, but with a noticeable limp. I can't stand too long and I can't bend my back at all. Besides the many scars over my feet and legs, my rib cage is lower and I'm one and a half inches shorter now than I was before I took the plunge.

I learned the hard way that people really did love me. My body will never be the same, but my spirit is at an all-time high. My mind is at ease and my future is bright.

Teens, please look around you. People do love you and care for you very much, even if they don't express it in words. For those of you who look around and still feel lost, I love you, and so does The Almighty! — Nameless, San Francisco, Calif.

NAMELESS: Thanks for the message to your fellow teens. It's loud, clear, and very true!

Dr. Robert Wallace welcomes questions from readers. Although he is unable to reply to all of them individually, he will answer as many as possible in this column. Email him at rwallace@thegreatestgift.com. To find out more about Dr. Robert Wallace and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.