Annie 1.1.08

Dear Readers: Happy New Year. We hope you woke up this morning safe and sound and not filled with worry or regret about something you may have done last night. For those of you who think today would be a good time to make some resolutions, here is food for thought:
Just for Today
Just for today I will live through the next 12 hours and not tackle my whole life’s problems at once.
Just for today I will improve my mind. I will learn something useful. I will read something that requires effort, thought and concentration.
Just for today I will be agreeable, I will look my best, speak in a well-modulated voice, be courteous and considerate.
Just for today I will not find fault with friend, relative or colleague. I will not try to change or improve anyone but myself.
Just for today I will have a program. I might not follow it exactly, but I will have it. I will save myself from two enemies — hurry and indecision.
Just for today I will exercise my character in three ways. I will do a good turn and keep it a secret. If anyone finds out, it won’t count.
Just for today I will do two things I don’t want to do, just for exercise.
Just for today I will be unafraid. Especially will I be unafraid to enjoy what is beautiful and believe that as I give to the world, the world will give to me.
Dear Readers: Here’s one more:
Golden Rules for Living by Miriam Hamilton Keare
1. If you open it, close it.
2. If you turn it on, turn it off.
3. If you unlock it, lock it up.
4. If you break it, admit it.
5. If you can’t fix it, call in someone who can.
6. If you borrow it, return it.
7. If you value it, take care of it.
8. If you make a mess, clean it up.
9. If you move it, put it back.
10. If it belongs to someone else, get permission to use it.
11. If you don’t know how to operate it, leave it alone.
12. If it’s none of your business, don’t ask questions.
Dear Annie: We lost our beautiful 17-year-old daughter a couple of years ago in an automobile accident. Upon learning there was no hope for her survival, we decided to donate her young, healthy organs through the Gift of Life Program in order to help others.
Unfortunately, we have yet to hear from any of the recipients. The people at Gift of Life assured us that they forwarded our wish for communication to those whose prayers were answered through our tragedy. We are not looking to meet them or know their names. We just need to know something good came from our loss.
Please let your readers know that a simple thank you would make a huge difference to those families who unselfishly donated a loved one’s organs. It seems the least a donor recipient can do. Some families, like ours, need to know something positive has come from losing the person they loved. It would mean so much. — Knowing We Did the Right Thing
Dear Right Thing: Families of donor recipients are not always certain a letter is welcome or appropriate. Many are concerned that an expression of gratitude would somehow bring up unpleasant memories to the family of the deceased. But such a thank you is nearly always appreciated. A note letting the family know the organ donation has saved or improved someone’s life can bring comfort and peace of mind and make them feel their loved one lives on. We hope anyone who is hesitating to write will consider how much it means to the donor family.
Annie’s Mailbox is written by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar, longtime editors of the Ann Landers column. W-mail your questions to anniesmailbox@comcast.net.
Published in The Messenger 1.1.08

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