DEAR ABBY: My grandmother lives close to where I work. Sometimes I stop off and have lunch with her, get her groceries, keep up the yard and do a little work around her house. The problem is, she wants to pay me for everything I do. She's not rich, but she's not poor either.
Last week, I vacuumed her basement because she didn't want the furnace man to see it dirty. She slipped me a $20 bill, I refused to take it. She shoved it into my pants pocket and said that if I didn't help her, who would?
I'm uncomfortable taking her money because she's helped other family members her whole life. I feel it's only right to return the favor. How should I handle this? -- LUCKY GRANDSON
DEAR LUCKY: You are fortunate to have such a generous grandmother -- and she's blessed to have a caring grandson like you.
Your grandmother has a lot of pride. Instilled in her generation was the conviction that you "pay your way" in the world. I understand your hesitation, but take the money. Consider applying part of it to something she might enjoy -- a newspaper or magazine subscription, a recording of her favorite music, a prepaid telephone card -- something she might not buy for herself.