Two letters here
Dear dad,

I know I don't say this enough to you, but I love you. You've always looked out for me whenever I've had problems, you've been more accepting of me than mum has, and you've taught me so many useful things such as woodworking and general carpentry, some electrician stuff, basic plumbing skills, a helluva lot of insurance stuff, and to take pride in myself and my work. You're a decent bloke, a man who all can respect, and despite the fact that you're approaching your mid sixties and have diabetes amongst a lot of other problems, you seem so indestructible.

Unfortunately, I can't really tell you all this because of what mum will say. That and I'm being too much of a soppy git to be able to properly express myself. Despite the fact that I'm not your biological son, you've loved me as if I was and have treated me like I was. For this, I admire you a lot, because I know that I'm an ungrateful bastard, or at least seem that way most of the time when I'm really just too shy to say more than a thanks and give a smile, but I'm grateful that you've not treated me differently from any of the other kids, despite being bisexual and bipolar. I know I've been a handful over the years, but I hope I've made you proud of who I am.

Dear mum,

I love you for giving me life and for being my mother, but I don't actually like you as a person any more. You've grown more emotionally detached and demanding from everyone and at the same time, not willing to give anything back in return. You act like a spoilt brat most days, and you can't even see it. I miss the old mum I used to have, the one who would read the same books as me, watch the same movies and TV and listen to vaguely the same music and talk to me about it. I miss the talking we used to do, but every time I try and start up a conversation with you, I'm either interrupting something, or its something you have no interest in and give only monosyllabic responses and then give up on it five minutes in.

I guess that I just want the old you back, the one before you changed. I also wish you wouldn't attack dad because of some perceived slight. Both emotionally and physically. You taught me to respect other people and to never physically fight, so this hypocrisy on your part upsets me. I admire the woman you were and the fact that you are integral to my existence, but at the same time, I don't particularly like you now.

Sorry.

Edit: I sent the letter to my dad (via email, so dunno if thats cheating or not), and he read it at work the next day. He was very humbled to have read it, and was tearfully proud. So technically the first letter is no longer a "letter they'll never read"
(Ghost Atreides enjoying incontestable health benefits on, Fri 5 Mar 2010, 0:50, 3 replies)

dad
you really should tell your dad these things, sod what your mum will say, tell him and make his day, nay his year!
(mr_spongmonkey, Fri 5 Mar 2010, 8:39, closed)

I would do
But my mum will give both me and my dad absolute hell for it and I'd rather not get either of us in trouble.
(Ghost Atreides enjoying incontestable health benefits on, Fri 5 Mar 2010, 13:38, closed)

This
Because you do see a lot of stuff written about "I regret not telling him that before he died" etc.
( idonthaveafunnynickname Drink-Aware? Sure. I'm aware I want another drink., Sat 6 Mar 2010, 14:46, closed)

you really need to send your dad this 'letter they'll never read'
Believe me, read the top answer on my profile.
(Kip, Mon 8 Mar 2010, 22:54, closed)

Ah to hell with it
I've emailed my old man, he'll read it tomorrow as he's in bed now. Just need to wait for a reply now.
(Ghost Atreides enjoying incontestable health benefits on, Tue 9 Mar 2010, 0:09, closed)

Ace
Let us know what happened...
(Kip, Tue 9 Mar 2010, 17:43, closed)