Dear Lisa,

I know it is not any consolation at all, but in the world of employment, sometimes our own relatives bend over backwards NOT to show nepotism. And in so doing, to make sure that others in the office have nothing to complain about, do us the WORST disservice than a non related employer would.

If your Dad is an employee of a larger corporation, than he's stuck in the land of mid management issues, and not doing such a great job. And you'll just have to handle things as well as you can, and detach. Leave any emotion , explanatioons, or defense of your own actions out of the letter. And make it very short and concise as to you are leaving your position to seek employment in an area that will accomodate your illness better. Don't criticize or say anything negative, because he will be your Dad for the rest of your life. And let bygones be bygones, as nothing you can say or do is going to change anything.

If it is a family business, then you have to find another way you can fit into a family business with lupus interferring with the timing of your participation. Things with a quarterly or bi-annual deadline would be more up your alley to apply your present skills to or train in gaining new skills for another position. Things that require daily deadlines or quotas are really no longer up your alley. And that's just the honest truth and reallity of your situation.

Good luck. The shorter the letter, the better. Three consice sentences. No blame, no rationalizations, no shame, no game. Just I am stepping down. If it is not a family business and the larger company sees that you have quit, they may come up with an offer for you to do something at an ever higher level than your Dad. And you can send his superiors a copy of your resignation, along with a resume, work history, and let them know that you would be willing to step up to a different area of the company. You never know. You might turn up writing policy papers for your Dad to follow!!! You never know just exactly is right around the corner.
The most important thing is the accept that this disease is right now in flare up, and will continue to be until you somehow give it whatever it needs to go into remission. And that is the toughest JOB you will ever do in your life. Sure it doesn't have a paycheck. But it is still the hardest job. And sometimes takes years of your full attention to get it under control so you understand all your own bells and whistles. When you accept this, you'll be able to just write a letter of resignation easily. Best of luck and hugs, Cath