May new year be success

Dear Readers: Today is the beginning of a new year and the idea that we can start fresh and make this year better than the last. We wish you good health and happiness, and offer one of our favorite essays. We think it is appropriate:

Success

By Bessie Anderson Stanley

He has achieved success who has lived well, laughed often and loved much; who has enjoyed the trust of pure women, the respect of intelligent men and the love of little children; who has filled his niche and accomplished his task; who has left the world better than he found it, whether by an improved poppy, a perfect poem or a rescued soul; who has never lacked appreciation of Earth’s beauty or failed to express it; who has always looked for the best in others and given them the best he had; whose life was an inspiration; whose memory a benediction.

Dear Annie: My 6-year-old son was talking about his recent field trip at school. After hearing about all the fun they had and what they learned, he told me one of his classmates had to stay at school. When I asked why, my son told me the boy didn’t have the money. It had not occurred to me that $5 for a field trip was out of reach for one of his classmates. I would gladly have paid the few dollars for another child to go if I had only known.

Parents, when those field trip notices come home, if you can, consider covering the cost for another child. Ask your teachers if there is a need, or just send in a few extra dollars. And, teachers, I am the parent who asks you to let me know if you need anything. This is a need I didn’t think about. Please ask me. Thank you. – A Parent in Any School

Dear Parent: Many parents don’t realize some children cannot afford field trips. Bless you for caring enough to make a difference.

Dear Annie: All medical doctors should give their female patients (age 40 and over) a bone density test. Even men should have one. My former doctor neglected to have me tested. Unfortunately, I developed osteoporosis and broke my hip, which required a partial hip replacement.

If I had been given a bone density test years ago, chances are I wouldn’t have all this pain and suffering now. Please tell your readers so they don’t have to go through what I did. – Concerned in Madison, Wis.

Dear Madison: We hope all our readers, any age, male or female, will make a New Year’s resolution to take care of themselves in 2007, and those over 40 should include a bone density scan.