This just plain makes me cry (Callie

I didn't read that as "daddy doesn't want them anymore" as much as "mom died and daddy slid down a slope and into an absolute pit of despair and was unable to cope." I think with help, someday the kids will realize that daddy did love them ... his life had just disintegrated into such a mire that he couldn't even take care of himself. I think the fact that he brought them all to a safe place speaks volumes.  How many people in that situation would have killed them and then turned the gun on themselves? Horrible to think about, but it happens more than we'd like to admit to ourselves.  I think there's hope for him and for his kids.

Joyce

yeah -- there are a lot of dynamics there "unsaid" -- like that he took the WHOLE BUNCH -- he didn't say to the 16 and 17 year olds "YOU can get a job" -- nope, he took all but the one over 18. 

Again -- Joyce too is picking up on the 'pain' I felt when I read that.  And I'm still crying for them.