Shifting attitude on gratitude Dear Annie
THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2018
Dear Annie: I’m in my late 30s. I’ve read the many letters you’ve printed about how thank-you notes have gone the way of the dodo. I have a different angle on this complaint.
Let me preface this by saying that I am not perfect in this realm. It took my wife and me forever to get around to sending thank-you notes after our wedding, and I think that most of the readers who have weighed in are expecting too much.
That said, I am noticing a trend of giving no thanks at all. When I get a gift or someone does a favor for me, I send thanks via email or text (though I realize that a handwritten note or a phone call would be better). That’s all I expect myself, but some of my peers don’t even text a thank-you when I give them something. I find that very annoying.
I used to chalk up this thank-you note issue to laziness, but I’m beginning to agree with your readers who say that gratitude is trending down. It’s disturbing. It takes next to no time to shoot off a quick “Thanks for that!” on your smartphone. — You’re Welcome
Dear You’re Welcome: Laziness is the enemy of
Soup and Sandwich Lunch and card party for the benefit of Expo Cookshire Fair
Our annual fundraising event held at the Bury Armoury Community Center on March 19 was a big success. We enjoyed serving 38 people a lunch of 4 delicious soups and a variety of sandwiches with cakes for dessert.
The lucky winners of the half and half were Keith Lowry and Richard Coates. Two grocery boxes were won by Cathy Jacklin and Theda Lowry. The marked plate was won by Dennis Chapman. Five door prizes were drawn at gratitude, and reading your letter I have to agree that it seems to have the upper hand in a big way. Thanks to technology, it’s easier than ever to be self-absorbed and unappreciative of others; to do whatever’s convenient.
But the good news is that gratitude is also the enemy of laziness. Fight the good fight by looking for ways to be more thankful in your own life every day. Perhaps you will be a positive influence on your friends. In the meantime, I’d stop sending them presents. Redirect your generous energy toward charitable causes or loved ones who will really appreciate it.
Dear Annie: Your advice to Granddad’s Girl about speaking to him about his driving abilities fell far short. This man very likely has early dementia, as evidenced by his geographic disorientation. His continued driving is a huge risk to himself and others. His family needs to insist he see his doctor, accompanied by a family member, to discuss this. I am a retired internist, and I often had to deal with this difficult problem. This was often scheduled as a “check up” to avoid alarming the elderly patient.
Discussion of driving abilities and tests of memory, this time as some come to enjoy the lunch only.
We had 8 tables of 500 played. Ladies high score went to Bob Halsall and second to Cathy Jacklin, for Gents Mark Bolduc and second Jean Marc Castonguay. Consolation prizes were Madelyn Betts and Laura Fleury. The 4 of a kind was won by Rena Halsall, the 10 bid by Serena Wintle, the secret score by Diane Castonguay and the most skunks by Rena Halsall. Door prizes were won by spatial orientation, reflexes and executive functioning can be done in the office. Almost all states have laws requiring or allowing physicians to report impaired or potentially impaired drivers.
Going beyond having the DMV test his driving abilities, which might lead to his license being revoked, I would encourage the family to disable or remove his car. Simply taking his keys away is not enough. One of my wily elderly patients simply had the car towed and the ignition system replaced.
This is a very contentious problem in my experience, because it means a loss of independence, and often, a move to an assisted living facility or the home of a family member. These were some of most difficult discussions I had with patients and family, but they were necessary for the safety of the patient and the public because of the high risk of accidents. — Retired Oregon Internist
Dear Retired Oregon Internist: You’re right. In my response, I should have been more emphatic about the importance of getting her grandfather a medical evaluation. Thank you for sharing your expertise.
Send your questions for Annie Lane to
dearannie@creators.com. many.
We would like to thank everyone for attending, all the donations of food, grocery box items, door prizes and all the volunteers, for supporting the Expo Cookshire Fair. A special thank you for the cash donations made from those unable to attend. We look forward to seeing you at our annual BBQ on May 26.
Submitted by Brenda Hodge