6A
FEATURES
Is gratitude endangered?
Dear Annie: I am writing about of information may open a door.
However, it has created a prob-
common courtesy. Does it exist
lem. I recently sent an article that
anymore?
I have a large family, with grown pertained to my son’s profession.
grandchildren, and I still work part I thought it might be interesting
time, although I am close to 80. I to him. Although I knew that he
would like to complain about the might not agree with all of the con-
tent, he rejected the arti-
lack of respect the younger
DEAR
cle in its entirety and chas-
generation has.
tised me profusely for
I am a constant reader
ANNIE
sending it to him, saying
— books, magazines,
that it “offended” him. I
newspaper, etc. When I
reread it after the fact and
come across an article,
could find nothing that
story or email that relates
was offensive to anyone;
to the profession, interests
it was just giving another
or community of anyone in
point of view. He probably
my family, I may cut it out
Lane
thought that I was trying
and send it to the person. I Annie
Creators
Syndicate Inc.
to convince him of some-
may also forward an email
thing, but that has never
if it is pertinent.
For example, one of my grand- been my intention. I am now very
sons, even though he is 6 feet 4 hesitant to send him anything.
Additionally, there is a little
inches tall, wants to build a tiny
house. I discovered a related arti- effort involved in sending the items
to them; however, I have never
cle, which I sent to him.
My mother used to do the same received any form of acknowl-
thing for me, and even though the edgment from any of my children
clips may not have been something or grandchildren. I never receive
that really interested me, the ges- a Christmas or birthday card from
ture told me that she was thinking my 10 grandchildren, and they do
of me and she wanted to pass along not thank me for Christmas gifts.
Is it wrong to expect some form
some information that might prove
useful. I am not trying to influence of an acknowledgment when I give
anyone, but I believe that you learn something to them, or is that a thing
something every day, and one piece of the past? Do I stop sending arti-
cles and birthday cards to them?
Do I stop giving? Do I stop caring?
— Disheartened in Florida
Dear Disheartened: It’s good
to take a step back, before you send
any kind of message, and think of
any possible ways the person on
the receiving end might misinter-
pret it. The article you sent to your
son made him feel defensive, either
because there’s a contentious his-
tory between you two about the
topic or because he’s a hypersensi-
tive person.
In any case, let him know that
you were not coming from a judg-
mental place. If he knows he has
your support, he should be less
touchy in the future.
Now, as for the lack of gratitude
for gifts you’ve sent, it’s unkind,
and you should feel free to tell your
children how that has hurt you.
But don’t let their rudeness keep
you from shining your light into
the world. As inspirational speaker
Kent Keith said, “People are illog-
ical, unreasonable, and self-cen-
tered. Love them anyway. If you
do good, people will accuse you of
selfish ulterior motives. Do good
anyway. ... Give the world the best
you have and you’ll get kicked in
the teeth. Give the world the best
you have anyway.”
THE DAILY ASTORIAN • TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2016
TOMORROW’S HOROSCOPE
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
ARIES (March 21-April 19). Unlike bears,
cougars and sasquatches, humans are social
animals who are best suited to spending time
in groups. This is where you’ll find the greatest
satisfaction today — among a small number
of kindred spirits. Enjoy!
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). To adopt the
disguise necessary for “fitting in” is to deny the
real you. So don’t worry about fitting in or not.
Honor who you are and you’ll find you can get
comfortable in many different situations.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Not all stress is
harmful, especially if you don’t think of it as
such. You can make stress work for you today.
That’s what it’s there for, after all. When you
hit that tense moment think: “This is happen-
ing so that I can ...”
CANCER (June 22-July 22). The direct
route to making friends is often, oddly, not as
effective as other ways. But as you decide
what else you want in your life and act on
that, you’ll get human contact as a bonus side
effect.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You believe in the
value of what you’re doing. Hold on to that
as you go. Sometimes your action will be
popular, sometimes it won’t. Don’t worry
about how you’re being seen or thought of or
experienced by others.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Hypothetical
scenarios rarely play out like real life. To get
the twists, turns and thrills, you have to throw
your whole self in, not just your mind and
imagination. It is only through interacting with
others that you’ll find out who you are.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Remember when
you didn’t afford someone the benefit of the
doubt, and you turned out to be wrong?
FRANK AND ERNEST
BLONDIE
THATABABY
SALLY FORTH
PHOEBE AND HER UNICORN
B.C.
LOLA
DILBERT
SIX CHIX
BIZARRO
MUTTS
NON SEQUITUR
BABY BLUES
WIZARD OF ID
ZITS
ROSE IS ROSE
This memory will play into today’s scenario.
Anyway, now you’d rather be wrong and kind
than right and unkind.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). In general,
you just want to lighten up, and this can be
accomplished in a number of ways. Take
the pressure off of your to-do list. Get more
help. Take breaks to visit and laugh. It’s the
practical things.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). As much
as you try, there are no guarantees that you
can control your experience so you won’t
suffer. And yet, it is often the case that when
you don’t try, you don’t suffer, either. It’s more
like a ride. You let go and enjoy it.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). It’s easy to
point out how things could have been done
better. But to initiate an action and follow
through, this is the proof. You’ll show your
integrity and strong character at every turn.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). The time for
thinking about it is over. Decide. Are you will-
ing to take the risks necessary to getting what
you want? In order to get the fruit, you have to
go out on the limb.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). You work in the
world of the mind, and you play in the world
of the heart. One person brings these two
worlds together for you, and that’s a beautiful
relationship, certainly one to be appreciated
and celebrated now.
TOMORROW’S BIRTHDAY (Dec. 21).
You’ll put a great deal of yourself into your
friendships, and one special relationship will
create many opportunities for adventure and
financial gain throughout 2017. You’ll win a
contest in February. Your lucky numbers are:
4, 17, 20, 31 and 22.