Man won’t care when cruel dad dies

Dear Abby: I am a 50-yearold man. My whole life, my relationship with my father has been strained. When I was in my teens and 20s, when he bought presents for my two siblings and not for me, he would say things to me like, “I forgot I had you.”

In spite of this, I became very successful in life. I had a great career and am now retired. My father recently announced to me that he had made only two mistakes in his life — marrying my mother, who has put up with him for more than 60 years, and having children.

My dilemma is, he is now 90 with many health problems. He is in the hospital now for a heart problem. I know he won’t last much longer. I feel nothing for him. When he dies, I know I won’t care. Is this normal? I feel guilty for feeling this way.

Don’t Care in Tennessee

Dear Don’t Care: Please don’t feel guilty for feeling no regret at the prospect of “losing” a cruel and withholding parent who made it his business to make those around him feel “less than.” Do not be surprised if, rather than feel a sense of loss, you feel at peace, as though a weight has been lifted from your shoulders. You should not feel guilty for that, either. Comfort and emotionally support your mother as best you can when he dies, but don’t be shocked if she, too, feels some relief. Their union could not have been the happiest.

Dear Abby: My granddaughter just informed me she has decided she would be happier living as a boy, and she has gone so far as to legally change her name. I want to be supportive, but I admit I’m having a lot of trouble accepting it, or at least figuring out how to deal with it.

She’s my only grandchild and most likely the only one I’ll ever have. I loved my granddaughter with all my heart, and I don’t know how to shift gears to a grandson. I keep stumbling when I try to use the new name. I would welcome any suggestions you could make, including information about support groups you might know of.

Grandma in Pain Dear Grandma: Yes, coming to terms with it can be as much of a journey for family as it is for the transgender person, and it can take time and understanding on all sides.

A group called PFLAG can help you through this. Please don’t wait to contact them. You will find PFLAG at pflag .org, and their phone number is (202) 467-8180.

Write to Dear Abby at P.O. Box 96440, Los Angeles, CA 90069 or dearabby.com