Join Gamblers Anonymous
Dear Ann Landers: My 78-year-old grandmother has lived in the same apartment building for 50 years. She receives disability payments plus Social Security. She has one small problem. She loves to gamble.
Grandma, it seems, is always late paying her rent. Once, she asked the landlord to wait for several months. She ended up borrowing money from questionable sources and had to pay a horrendous amount of interest. Now, it seems she is in the same kettle of stew again. She owes six months of back rent. Her big-hearted landlord is fed up, and Grandma has received an eviction notice.
Last week, she came to me and asked for a loan. Ann, I work very hard and have finally managed to put a small amount of money in the bank. When I told my husband that Grandma needed another loan, he blew a gasket. I decided not to lend Grandma the money. She screamed at me and threatened to jump off the roof.
I feel guilty because I love Grandma, but I need to know if I am wrong or right. - Astoria, N.Y.
Dear Astoria: Tell Grandma this is the last time you are bailing her out and make it stick. Insist that she go to Gamblers Anonymous. Look it up in the phone book and take her to her first meeting. This organization is truly phenomenal.
Dear Ann Landers: I found this prayer when I went through some things I had been saving for almost 30 years. I have no idea who wrote it or where it came from. If you think it would have some value for your readers, please print it. - Loyal Fan in Detroit
Dear Detroit: I hope this prayer will be put in plastic and taped to the dashboards of thousands of cars. It could save lives. Here it is: “Lord, impress on me the great responsibility that is mine when I get behind the wheel of my automobile.
“When I would be careless, remind me that I have in my hands the power of life and death.
“Write indelibly upon my consciousness that I am a potential murderer, that in one careless moment I could put an end to the lives of some innocent victim, my family and myself.
“Help me to be thoughtful, patient and in control of myself at all times.
“Help me to extend the same kindness and consideration to others that I would like them to extend to me. Give me, oh Lord, a sense of perspective. Let me never become so foolish that I would take a chance with my own life or anyone else’s just to save a few minutes. You know too well, oh Lord, that heaven is full of people who made that mistake. Amen.”
Dear Ann Landers: Those wonderful old Burma Shave signs made driving along the highways much more interesting. Here’s one I recall seeing on my first trip out west in 1942 when I went to visit my grandparents. Please print it for old time’s sake. - Irene Dear Irene: With pleasure. Here it is: When crossing intersections Look each way.
A harp sounds nice, But it’s hard to play.
Lonesome? Take charge of your life and turn it around. Write for Ann Landers’ new booklet, “How to Make Friends and Stop Being Lonely.” Send a self-addressed, long, business-size envelope and a check or money order for $4.25 (this includes postage and handling) to: Friends, c/o Ann Landers, P.O. Box 11562, Chicago, Ill. 60611-0562.