Reply #14: Oh, I didn't state it clearly -

[Tangerine LaBamba]

just send him a letter.

Don't ask for money in the letter. Just make this something for him from you. Something special. Something straight from your heart, and if you think you're gonna go all melodramatic, write it, and then let it sit for a while, a day or two, and then read it - maybe read it out loud - and see what changes it might need. You'll be surprised at what you'll find.

It does sound like a totally suck situation, and I'm sorry it's that way for you. But, if you can just send him a letter - a gift from you to him - maybe that will take some of the guilt you probably feel when you have to ask him for help.

And, I'll bet you he wants to make sure you're taken care of and he's glad he can help you. That's how good grandparents are, and yours sounds nice.

But, the letter? Make it just for him, not asking for anything. Maybe including some stuff about how grateful you are for his help so far, and you're hoping it will be better soon, but you're trying as hard as you can?

If this sounds muddled, that's because it's late on Friday night here, and I'm sort of fried......................