I am not an emotional person and I rarely cry unless there is the death of someone very close to me. That doesn't mean that I am cold and unfeeling. I was raised by parents who thought it was unseemly to betray your feelings. When something bad happens, I go into a functioning, practical mode. Laughter comes easily but tears stay below the surface.

Ted is just the opposite. Psychobabble would say that I am not in touch with my feelings, but I am very aware of them but usually something practical needs to be done.

I am dreading the day when my autistic grandson dies. He is having massive siezures now and is in and out of the hospital. He is seventeen and his mother's most loved child. Linda's job choice, her way of life and her identity have been built around Eric's disability. It is going to be so hard on her and her family.