I had originally planned to do that, maybe just say, "hey I heard you were upset, let me know what in particular you are upset about it." Might've been a better move. But I started writing, and just didn't want to stop until I said my piece. He does have a Ph.D., so at the very least he should be OK with reading a long email.
“He does have a Ph.D., “
There’s your problem right there. You’ll always be a knuckle dragger to him.
Degrees have nothing to do with it. It’s not about intelligence its about over stating your point in contacting him in the first place.
It was too long. I didn’t read it all myself. And I have a degree too. Overall the tone was respectful but I seriously doubt he read it all.
I said you were being two faced because in your email to him you sound genuine and sincere about keeping family together and then a post to someone......laughing about using your own child to get to him and grandma. Be honest.