Children should have recognized anniversary

Dear Annie: I have read letters from parents of ungrateful adult children and always thought, “How sad.” Now I know exactly how they feel.

My husband and I just celebrated 50 years of marriage. It has not been the happiest of marriages, but we love and respect each other, and he is my best friend.

We have three children. One sent us a frame that said “50th Anniversary” on it. He bought it online, and the enclosed slip wished us a happy anniversary. Another gave us a large gift certificate at Christmas with the understanding it would also be for our anniversary. Our youngest ignored the occasion.

We have always been generous with our time, talent and treasure to these “kids” and our grandchildren. I have so many mixed emotions running through my heart and mind. I have ignored so much in the past, but this just tipped me over the edge. Should I let them know?

Only Desire Acknowledgement

Dear Only: Yes. A 50th is a major milestone and should be acknowledged. Let the kids know their detached response was disappointing, and tell them how much it would have meant to have received a phone call or personal card.

Dear Annie: My grandmother picked up her first cigarette when she was 11, beginning an addiction that ultimately would take her life.

I became a tobacco control advocate to spread the message that tobacco is harmful. I am confident that we can create the first tobacco- free generation. It may sound far- fetched, but I believe we are within reach of a day when tobacco doesn’t sicken people anymore.

Tobacco kills more than 480,000 Americans each year, the vast majority of whom started smoking as kids. The tobacco industry aggressively markets its products to kids with flashy ads and sweet flavours. Tobacco industry documents reveal kids have long been targeted as “replacement smokers” for the people killed by these products each year.

Enough is enough. Kids are taking a stand against Big Tobacco to say they will not let tobacco use take over their lives. Young people are posting selfies on social media at # NotAReplacement to say they will not be fooled by the tobacco industry’s tactics.

March 18 is Kick Butts Day, a national day of activism sponsored by the Campaign for Tobacco- Free Kids that empowers youth to stand out and speak up.

Magi Linscott, Harrisonburg, Va.

Dear Magi Linscott: Our condolences on the loss of your grandmother. So many people are still not aware of the long- term dangers of smoking when they pick up that first cigarette.