After a funeral, remember those in need

DEAR ABBY: My neighbor was very ill with diabetes and an amputee with other health problems. Her husband worked long hours to pay for her health care and keep food on the table. They also had custody of a 3-year-old granddaughter.

Sadly, my neighbor died suddenly. And once the funeral is over and the church and neighbors move on, those left behind have funeral bills to pay, medical bills and their grief.

My local grocer happens to deliver, so I went and bought two cases of canned vegetables, rice, beans, flour, cornmeal, sugar, potatoes and pasta every other month and had them delivered anonymously. That way my neighbor wouldn't feel it was charity. He's still having a hard time after his wife's death. But the little girl is thriving and I don't have to worry she will be hungry.

Please ask your readers to think beyond the usual mourning period, and look further at a family's situation after a loved one dies. A little help can go a long way.

- Happy to Lend a Hand in Tennessee 

DEAR HAPPY TO LEND A HAND: When a death happens, the most important thing is to maintain contact with a grieving family and observe the Golden Rule as you have been doing. The time to be a friend is when someone needs one.

DEAR ABBY: Many years ago we adopted three children through our state's child welfare system. At the time, we knew they had full and half-siblings somewhere "in the system." We have not yet told our children they have biological siblings, although they do know their birth parents are no longer living due to drug abuse.

I was recently able to locate two of the full siblings through Internet research, and I have been following their lives on their social-networking pages. Both are adults now - one is a college student; the other is a young mother.

I am torn. My children are teenagers now and old enough to be told they have other siblings. But should I uproot these young women's lives to learn about us and meet our children? I'm also not sure whether they know the circumstances of their biological parents' deaths or would want that information.

I almost wish I had never started searching. Please advise.

- Keeper of the Secret in Illinois

DEAR KEEPER OF THE SECRET: I agree that your children have a right to know they have other blood relatives. However, before discussing this with your teenagers, I recommend that you make the initial contact to be absolutely sure the two adult siblings would like to meet your children.