In the Know ; Letters
Hospital mistakes
My father died in the hospital because
of the hospital [“The Worst Place to Be
if You’re Sick,” March]. He spent two
agonizing years in and out of the hospital
being treated for a hospital “oops.”
I believe he finally died in self-defense.
Lorna Samuel, San Diego
Spending priorities
Although I agree that most government
decisions need a dose of citizen common
sense, I disagree with the notion that our
children would be better prepared if first-graders had handheld computer tablets
[“How About Some Adult Supervision,”
Editor’s Letter]. Let’s take the money saved
by the theoretical reduction of the defense
budget and reduce the child-teacher ratio,
and ensure that every home has a computer
in it and access to the Internet.
Nancy Zwicker, Ravensdale, Wash.
School days of yore
I started going to my high school reunions
with the same trepidations as anyone,
embarrassed by memories but curious
nonetheless [“What I Really Know About
High School Reunions”]. I discovered that
adulthood and (often) parenthood were
the great equalizers in life. Not only did I
renew old friendships, I made new ones.
Na mi Segal Deitz, Portland, Ore.
CORRECTION: “Prepare to File Secure Tax
Returns” [In the News] gave incorrect advice
for sending sensitive documents to a tax
preparer. Documents should be scanned and
sent by email only if you are able to apply
special security measures such as protecting
the scanned file with its own password.
We appreciate hearing from you. Write to: Bulletin
Editor, Dept. RF, 601 E St. NW, Washington, DC 20049;
or email to: Bulletin@aarp.org. Please include your address and phone number.
WHAT I REALLY KNOW
About Billy Graham
By Marsha Tennant, Myrtle Beach, S.C.
In the Protestant South
I grew up in, Billy Graham was
our pope. I mean that in the
most respectful way. He was
the beacon that directed our
moral compass as children.
When I strayed—and I did—
the way back was through
the strong North Carolina
Piedmont cadences of the
preacher man.
I knew the power that Billy
had in our house. We had
traveled to see him preach
several times during the late
1950s. My daddy quoted him
more than he did the Bible. It
was close, but Billy won! The
two of us would argue over
faith and religion, and both
of us used Billy’s words in our
defense. My mother taught
Sunday school classes using
his literature.
that I owe part of my story
and journey to this incredible
preacher. He has touched
many lives, and I am so glad
that he is still part of mine.
; YOUR TURN! Tell us
what you really know
about starting over. Email
your essay of up to 400 words to
whatiknow@aarp.org. Or mail it to
“What I Really Know,” AARP Bulletin,
601 E St. NW, Washington, DC 20049.
Please include your name and a
phone number or email address.
