Amends Are Good For All Concerned

Dear Ann Landers: I hope you will print this news item in your column. It was written by Don Brignolo. I read it in the Detroit Free Press, even though the incident happened in California. It really warmed my heart and reaffirmed my faith in the goodness of people. - Elizabeth in Richland, Mich.

Dear Elizabeth: What a lovely story! Thanks for sending it on. Here it is:

“When Kathy Curless’ Los Altos home was burglarized of $400 two years ago, she knew she’d never see the money again.

“So imagine how stunned she was when she went out to her driveway to get the morning paper and noticed an envelope on the windshield of her car. In it, she found $400 and an unsigned letter from the thief explaining he was working through his problems with the help of Alcoholics Anonymous and making amends to people.

“The note said, ‘I realize that I have done more than just steal your money. I have probably robbed you of your sense of security and peace of mind. But I want you to know I’m not like I was two years ago when I stole from you. I am very sorry for causing you grief. Please forgive me.’ The signature was ‘A Member of AA.’

“Kathy Curless said, ‘I want this person to know I definitely do forgive them. It renews my faith in mankind that there are really good people out there.”’

Well, Kathy, I have known it for a very long time. Another good person is Elizabeth of Richland, Mich., who sent me this item. Thanks, Elizabeth.

Dear Ann Landers: This is for all the parents who are struggling with “kidspeak.” The author, our son Brett Palm, writes children’s verse and has two daughters to educate him.

I hope you will share his poem with your readers. - Sally Palm in St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands

Dear Sally: I liked the poem a lot. Here it is for my millions of readers to enjoy:

I’m Like, She Goes, He’s All

By Brett Palm

The phone rings in the bedroom,

My daughter takes the call.

I hear this conversation,

“I’m like, she goes, he’s all -

” I wonder if she’s speaking

Some secret code she knows.

It sounds a bit like English,

“He’s like, I’m all, she goes.”

And those of us who grew up

With Wonder Bread and Ike

Will never understand it,

“She’s all, he goes, I’m like.”

Dear Ann Landers: I have a better suggestion on how to deal with ill-mannered, negligent kids who don’t acknowledge gifts. Send a card or note saying, “I hope you enjoy the enclosed check.” Then don’t send the check. You can bet your bottom dollar that when the kid doesn’t find any money in that envelope, you’ll receive a reply in the next mail. - Experienced Grandmother in Boise

Dear Experienced Granny: I’m sure you’re right, but I suspect the “reply” you receive will not look like a thank you note.

Gem of the Day: The jet age means if you live in Ohio, you can have breakfast in London, lunch in New York and dinner in Hawaii, while your luggage goes to Tokyo.

xxxx