Hal,
Yes, he’s been your best friend since high school. And yes, he’ll quite likely be dead by his own hand within the next couple of days. But believe it or not, situations do exist where that really is probably for the best. Quit worrying about how people will react when they find out you knew about this ahead of time, and just be there for his family.
You gave your word…suck it up and keep it.
Hal
Yes, it is!
These are all great, but I especially like this. It’s so close to my advice to Wake Up, it’s practically identical.
Dear Elendil’s Heir:
To be blunt, you should procrastinate less. Exercise more. Be more patient with your kids. And on the career front, be hopeful but not unrealistic.
Onward and upward.
Quiet, you. 
Dear Kenner:
Your kids love you. Really they do. Don’t get so mad at them, even when they disobey you. You know full well you did the same crap to your mom and dad, and they didn’t yell at you half as loud or as often as you do with your kids.
Besides, your little boy will be off to school next year, and the house will be empty during the day. Just hang in there.
Sincerely
Jeremy
Hey me,
Maybe you’ll be less tired in the morning if you just go to bed earlier, jackass.
Love,
me.
Dear Nocturne,
There are some people you can’t save, and some people you shouldn’t save. And right now they’re all overlapping. So let them sink or swim on their own.
Love!
Nocturne
P.S. Your posture’s not bad, kid, but do something with your hair.
E, for Effort.
Dear Lobsang.
Er… Hi.
Lobsang.
Younger Rachel,
Please tell someone. Your mother probably won’t believe you now, but tell someone else.
Dear Moejoe,
No person or thing or miracle is going to show up and save you, seriously. You’re going to have to manage it yourself, so get cracking.
P.S. You can too do it. Your superpower is endurance, plus you’re a snappy dresser, and that counts for a lot.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.
Yours Truly,
-moejoe
Dear Sunspace,
Quit beating yourself up. Silence that little voice that always puts you down. Yes, even on the boards. You aren’t the monster you believe yourself to be; you do in fact have the capability to nurture and support others–or you wouldn’t be looking forward to meeting Aisha’s new kid.
And you’ve just come through a total remake of your living conditions after the layoff. City-dwelling subway-rider to small-town car owner? And starting a business? You haven’t gone through a change this big since you went to university! And you’re slowly meeting people!
Yes, you have always hemmed and hawed and struggled over things, but then you put your shoulders to the wheel and do it anyways. You did that at age 10, when going to school meant only shame and fear, but you went. And you do that now. The one thing that is a constant in your life is the stubbornness you have that causes you to make yourself over again, and again, until you find whatever you need to be for the current conditions.
Yes, you had problems in perception and social skills, but you know about that now, and you can compensate. And you even had dates last year! With a beautiful woman, even. Life and romance didn’t end at forty. And even though you broke up, there may be other chances in the future.
It’s not over yet, and it’s better than you thought. There’s something to live for.
Take care,
Sunspace
Dear Congo,
I know you’re tired and sick and in a really bad mood. But, if you’re not going to sleep, you need to get your lazy ass off the SDMB and Facebook and do your homework. It’s not going to do itself, especially after you pass out from sheer exhaustion later in the day.
Regards,
Yourself.
Snickers,
Those extra few pounds aren’t going to lose themselves. You’re doing better on the eating, now step that up a bit more. More importantly, start working out more - it’ll only help lots.
Yours,
Snicks
Ha. This made me smile.
Dear Kolga,
Honey, those assignments and papers aren’t going to grade themselves. Yes, some of them suck, but some of them are actually quite good. Regardless of the quality, your students deserve your efforts, and whining at the stack of grading isn’t going to make the grade fairies appear, no matter how much you try to entice them with shiny things.
Your SO also deserves to have you at home in a stable frame of mind and not going in eleventy-zillion directions mentally. This happens every six months (May and December), like clockwork, so figure out a way to get more balanced and less frazzled.
Your friends and family love you - would it kill you to call some of them some time? See above about the balance.
Sleep more. Meditate more. Walk the dog more. It’s okay to not work every single minute of every single day. Regardless of your irrational fears, you are not going to end up a bag lady living under the I-70 viaduct.
Love,
Kolga
Dear Mr. Mustard,
For the love of God, stop writing to me!
I’m YOU, you psycho sonofabitch!
Mr. Mustard
Dear Fed up,
You are a good person. You really do care about everyone you come into contact with. Make
a plan and stick to it regarding being a better boss. Either take the time to train the lead you
were given or take the time to document her inability to learn and get rid of her ass. Take the
time to get a vacation as the job will go on without you for a week. Visit your family for good-
ness sake, they are not going to visit you so if you want to see your brothers and sisters
before they die of old age then do it. Quit smoking, make that dentist appt. and start your
diet. Start saving money. Tell your new boss you need help or less responsibilty. Stop being
a worry wart. Try to smile more and be positive. Your posture could be better. It’s also time
for a haircut. Stop sleeping all weekend. These days are for fun things instead of being a
lazy ass and then feeling as if the weekend was wasted.
Just Do It,
Fed up
Dear Incref,
Though it took you a month to work up the courage to come back to this thread it was worth it!
You are not alone and things are looking far brighter after taking your own advice.
Much love,
Incref
PS
This may be the two weeks of holidays talking.