I share your sentiments, L.C.: My 50th birthday was the best one, ever…..Walked my first Portland Marathon, felt great, looked good, lots of energy, it all came together. Still feel great after almost 20 years later and wake up with a smile on my face.

Can’t wait to start each day……..

Let’s keep on trucking…….

M.B.: You can’t swallow your rage. You are stuck without expert help.

Please, see an expert. Only when your rage leaves you will you be able to deal with the present and create a future for yourself……

For parents to say "I did the best I could" is not always good enough in my book. As a parent, you are supposed to gladly sacrifice for your child without expecting anything…… When things get tough, don’t cop out with "I did the best I could"….

I have learned that nothing comes for free in this life……

My rich friends are not happier than I am.

When I visit, I see it’s a lot of work to manage  a certain lifestyle.

Besides, there are always people running around, and I like privacy…

After two, three days, I am content to return to my own life.

 After being friends for 40 years, I have never envied them……..

Last night I slept 8 hours straight. I am 68 years old and retired.

The reason I slept this many hours without a sleeping aid was because:

I spent 90 minutes at the gym, before entering the house pulled weeds for an hour, and after lunch I picked berries for two hours in the country.

In the evening I read and worked on a complex afghan for a while.

I probably overdid it a bit alltogether, but my sleep was wonderful.

This morning I played 18 holes of golf (no golf cart for me and my friends)……….

Now if I could only lose a pound……..

I would like to salute all fathers who nurture and support their children.

I did not have a good father. But, he made me what I am today by demonstrating what a parent should not be. I guess, for that reason, I owe him thanks….

The daughter in ltr.# 1 should run and not look back.

There is no medicine to cure fanatics, sadly, parents included……

My greatest regret is that I supported my husband’s education.

Huge mistake. But I was brainwashed by the women in my family….

I did alright professionally, but could have done a whole lot better with a formal education…….

Some of us ‘elders’ have forgotten what it was like to be 19 or 21, not knowing if we were ‘coming or going’……

My advice to the young wife and mom: enjoy your precious children, at the same time find out what your talents are, prepare yourself through obtaining a college degree for the time when your children will need you less. You are young enough to gradually prepare yourself for professional life that will give you satisfaction and income. If there is no financial necessity for you to step into working life right now, count your blessings and appreciate the life you have……..

My mother died a long time ago. She was sweet and kind but totally devoted to my father. As the eldest child, I had too many responsibilities, like being in charge of my baby brother and two year old sister when I was only six myself. - I left the old country (Germany) when I was 24 and started a brand new life.

I have the most wonderful relationship with my daughter whom I raised to be a very independent human being. But when she was little, I was always right behind her to catch her. As an only child, she went to a private college out of town. I encouraged her to have this type of social experience. Later on, she went to graduate school in Monterey which I encouraged her to do. I was happy but sad when she spent an entire college year abroad for the language and cultural experience, but my car ‘in hook’ for the trip to visit her, at here request.

She came home after graduate school and lived with me. After a few years I said to her: Honey, it’s time for you to have an investment. Single women need to invest in property. Within a month she bought her very nice town house. I realized that she was waiting for me to encourage her and was afraid to hurt my feelings. I am grateful to my fate that I have such a loving child…..

Regarding # 2: Take your son and run……..your child is too vulnerable and too precious to be exposed to any type of abuse for one more second……..it is your responsibility and your job to protect him…..

No ifs and buts…….