[honeychile]

FWIW, I would let your kids keep the gift cards, but insist that they write thank you notes - which must include the phrase "Am I ever going to meet you, Granddaddy?" in it. Let your father see that you're raising YOUR kids right, just as YOUR mother did!

There are so many scenarios that could be happening here, and I think I'd want to know what's up, if I were you. Can you write to him, and ask how he's doing?

-He could be terminally ill and trying to straighten out his "affairs".
-He may have woken up and realized that the stepkid is a jerk, and he doesn't know his own daughter.
-He may simply be realizing his own mortality.

Whichever it is, I completely agree with Jill - keep up your guard. If you have a good BS Detector, make sure it's highly tuned prior to reading anything from him, or talking to him. And if the BS Detector goes off, tell him so.

I believe in second chances - WHEN they're not a chance to simply look good for the rat in the scenario!

And please keep us posted - I'm sure I'm not the only one who read this and will be praying for a good outcome!