Grandpa,
I had ordered some merchandise on (a well-known merchandising site). Two days later I got an E-mail from (a different well-known merchandising site). It told me that my order was being delayed because of a problem with my credit/debit card. I was to call their shipping department and give them my credit/debit card information. This sounded so phishy to me! I deleted that E-mail and even did a security scan to make sure I was not getting a virus or cookies. I keep a close check in my bank balance. I log on and look at the activity every day, so I knew there had not been a problem. And my merchandise did arrive when it was due. I thought you might want to warn readers of this scam.
Grandpa says: We can depend on all sorts of security companies to try to protect ourselves, but it really requires that we be proactively aware of what is truth verses what we are told by others. Thank you for that timely reminder.
Grandpa,
My younger sister has been avoiding our father for more than 20 years. On Halloween she will turn 40. That means she will not have spoken to him in more than half of her life. He is in ill health and wants very much to see his youngest daughter. He has given me permission to give her his phone number and address. She just will not contact him. He said that he will not violate her wishes and contact her. I know he is hurting. He has never even seen her children. I would hate to see him take this hurt to his grave. How can I convince her to call him? How can I convince him to contact her? I love my father and wish she could, too.
Grandpa says: You cannot convince her of anything that she does not want to believe or to do. To attempt to convince him to call her would be violating her rights to privacy. I do not know what caused this rift between them so I will not take a guess where either mind is residing.
You can spend as much time as possible with your father. A man’s child is always a welcome comfort. When you talk to your sister, let her know the positive things about him and be honest with her about his health. She has a right to know. Do not push the issue lest you run the risk of alienating yourself from her, too. Tell her your father wishes her a happy birthday. I bid you all peace.
Grandpa says: Beloved readers, Grandpa has a tradition for this time of year. I ask you, my dear readers, to send to me a short note telling me what blessing you have for which you are grateful. The Thursday before Thanksgiving I publish those letters. This year the letters will be published on November 21. I will need to receive them before November 10. Please send your letters to the address below. I look forward to hearing from you! God Bless!
Got something stuck in your craw? Ask Grandpa. Address your letters to Ask Grandpa c/o The Voice, PO Box 123, Aurora, IL 60507 or send an E-mail to askgrandpa@thevoice.us.