ANNIE'S MAILBOX He worries about not seeing kids grow up

Dear Annie: I'm a single, 38-year-old father with two young sons. I am just under 6 feet tall and weigh about 360 pounds. My biggest fear is that I won't see my children grow up.
I have no other health problems, but I know that if I don't do something about my weight now, I will pay for it in the not-too-distant future. I've been overweight since my teen years. I managed to lose nearly 100 pounds three years ago, and I did it on my own, but when I went through my divorce, the weight found me again.
I ride bikes, walk and chase my kids. But I work at a fast-food chain, and I eat improperly. I also overeat when I'm happy or sad. I've thought about a gastric bypass, but frankly, an operation scares me. I want to lose weight naturally. Is there any kind of self-help organization that can help? San Bernardino, Calif.
Dear San Bernardino: There are several groups that can help you. Check your phone book for Weight Watchers Inc. (weightwatchers.com), TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) (tops.org), and Overeaters Anonymous (oa.org). There are also numerous weight-loss plans available at your local bookstore or library. (You also might consider another job.)
Keep in mind that permanent weight loss requires a program that you can follow for the rest of your life, and includes regular daily exercise and weights. Good luck. We'll be rooting for you.
Dear Annie: A few weeks ago, one of my sisters passed away. Most of my other family members had little to do with "Lana" because she was dirt poor. She wore thrift shop clothes, lived in a run-down apartment, and her appearance was rather shabby. When she became ill, no one wanted to help her out except me. My sister, "Erica," was particularly unkind. She would never allow Lana into her home. Erica didn't approve of Lana and thought the way she lived was an embarrassment.
Three months before she died, Lana unexpectedly came into some money. All of a sudden, Erica became her best friend. She invited Lana to her home and even took her out to eat in fancy restaurants. In the last few weeks, Erica took over everything, even changing Lana's burial arrangements.
I never asked Lana for one cent, but I was hurt when she left everything she owned to Erica. Lana apparently didn't remember that I was the one who took care of her when no one else would. It burns me that Erica acted so phony just to get her hands on some money, and I no longer want to have anything to do with her. Does that make me a bad person? What should I do? Mad and Confused in California
Dear Mad: You have been a loving and caring sister, but Lana was so grateful for Erica's belated attention that she was easily manipulated. Your hurt feelings are understandable, but please don't become bitter. Even if Erica's motives were self-serving, she did provide Lana with companionship and comfort. Let it go.
Dear Annie: Here is the scenario: A father names his first son after himself, and the father is referred to as "John Sr." The son is "John Jr." Junior has a first son named after him, and he is now referred to as "John III." When the grandfather passes away, does his son now become Senior and the III become Junior? If not, does the grandson's child become the IV? New York
Dear N.Y.: There is no hard and fast rule. If Junior wishes to become Senior when Grandpa dies, he may do so, in which case, the grandson then becomes Junior. However, this can get awfully complicated after a few generations, and some men prefer to keep their original monikers to avoid confusion.
XE-mail your questions to anniesmailbox@com-cast.net, or write to: Annie's Mailbox, P.O. Box 118190, Chicago, Ill. 60611.
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