Letters to the Editor
cim902
Published Letters: 73 Editor's Choice: 13
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Can't read through all the comments, but.....
[Read the article: McCain's Palin pick is the epitome of tokenism]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]They just tied a ribbon on the election and handed it to Obama (for which I am glad, btw).Although I don't see McCain as picking a "token" woman (although couldn't there be another, more qualified Republican female candidate?), he just seems to have made this decision on the fly. It just doesn't speak well of his current decision making abilities--more like his age has caught up with him. I always try to look seriously at both candidates in election season, but I really can't see Mrs. Palin as commander-in-chief--and you really have to consider that with McCain's age. I just can't take the Republicans seriously this year. Why don't we just save a ton on money and swear Obama in in November?
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Besides.....
[Read the article: My niece was adopted 35 years ago -- and never told!]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Perhaps she won't want to ever find her biological parents/relatives. I have 11 adopted siblings. Some cared about that and pursued it, others didn't. Some were happy with the relatives they found, others, not so much. You mention medical/genetic information. What makes you think that your niece's biological relatives even know anything important about their medical heritage? And since we live in an age where many important diseases can be tested for, either in prospective parents, unborn children, or newborns, if she wants to have children soon, she has ways of gaining this knowledge besides her biological family. As far as alcoholism goes, no one needs to drink excessively, regardless of genetics, and knowing that a relative is an alcoholic is not necessarily a deterrent. I'm guessing that the vast majority of us go about our lives, having children, going to the doctor, without thinking a great deal about whatever medical issues run in our families, simply dealing with them as they arise. So I am not so sure you should use "family medical history" as a reason to tell your niece she is adopted. And she is your niece, not your daughter. She is the daughter of the people who adopted her, raised her and love her. I'm sure I don't have to tell you that. I would let this one go.
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My husband...
[Read the article: Playing the doctor card]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]...jokes about the "doctor card" (he's a general surgeon), but when he's not at work, he likes to stay in his secret identity as sloppy geek guy. The only time he's brought it out has been in cases where a relative is worried that s/he is not getting the whole story, or needs clarification.
But it does make a difference. When I was having blood pressure problems late in my second pregnancy, my ob told me to go in to the hospital and she would make arrangements. It was after midnight, and when we got to the ER entrance, it was fairly empty. In fact, there were two admissions-type people who seemed to be doing nothing--one talking to a friend, the other apparently on a personal phone call. Brett was parking the car, and I went in with our 18 month daughter. Let me just say now that I don't look like your stereotypical dr's wife. I am fat--and even fatter when 8 1/2 mos pregnant. My hair looks good perhaps one day of every month. I was not wearing make-up and my maternity clothes--just not cute. I was also very swollen, and so I was not wearing my wedding rings. As a result, I was passed back and forth between these two people, each one telling me that he and she didn't do the info-taking, and being rather vague about what I should do and where I should go. My husband came in, and I told him that I had no clue what I was supposed to do, and that no one else seemed to, either. He immediately played the doctor card and, lo and behold, within five minutes we were in L&D. I'm sure that if I had been a fat single mother expecting another child, I'd have eventually ended up there, but without the consideration and dignity that magically appeared when Brett "pulled rank," as it were. I have to say that I have never really had a horrible hospital/ER experience as a physician's wife, either for myself or my kids. People generally recognize the last name pretty quickly without my having to say anything. I would like to think that this would be true for every patient they deal with, but I wonder.
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If....
[Read the article: I get distracted by the Internet when I try to write]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]you spend any time at all on writing blogs, loops, whatever, you'll find that this is a problem for many, many writers--professional or aspiring. Turn the internet off--or use it as a reward for so many pages completed. And don't worry about whether or not what you write is crummy--if you get it down, you can fix it, but if you don't, you never will (that's a paraphrase of Nora Roberts, who's written more books than, well, maybe anybody). Don't overthink it--and good luck with your degree!
(btw, I've got an emotionally intense chapter up in my wip...and I'm looking at Salon to avoid it!)
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Others....
[Read the article: My father was murdered by my former next-door neighbor -- and I'm supposed to just get over it?]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]...will have good advice for you. I just want to tell you that it has only been two years. It takes a lot of time to work through something as horrible as what you have gone through, to reach some kind of equilibrium. Pray, seek therapy or a support group if you think it might help to be around people who understand, and please be kind to and patient with yourself.
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If....
[Read the article: My girlfriend "settled" for me -- and I don't trust her]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]...the two of you really wanted to be together, you'd be planning your move to Mexico together, excited and happy. She would not be visiting this guy, where her ex just happens to be, without you. Out of consideration for your feelings, given her past indiscretion, she would either not go there at all, or take you with her. She might have written a letter when she was drunk, but she wouldn't keep it once she sobered up. Forget about whether or not she's settling for you. Don't you settle for her.
Best wishes,