LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Dear Editor,

As much as my heart goes out to the family of 12 which was evicted from their home (Choose to Shine  Vol. 2,  Issue. 68), I cannot help but wonder why they didn’t take preemptive measures to  ensure the financial security of their family. A family of that size, but really any family, needs to set up a savings account and other set aside money for such rainy days. In this family’s case, it seems more like a downpour than a rainy day, I understand that, but you don’t lose your home overnight. Going broke is usually a slow and gradual process.  The family in question is described by the author as being “affluent.” If that was the case, I wonder why they didn’t put money aside when times were good. Were they too preoccupied with living the high life? I don’t mean to sound unsympathetic, but it seems irresponsible for this to get to the point where the New York City Marshal’s office is involved (also a chilul Hashem). I hope the situation for this family has improved. No one should be forced to separate their children and relocate their family into to shelters.  I urge everyone, rich or poor, to be mindful of their spending and establish an account just for these potential problems chas v’ shalom.    Debra G. 

Dear Editor,

More and more people, like myself, seem to be  suffering from anxiety these days, as evident from your latest Ask the Therapist column, and I am curious to understand why. Typically, it was assumed that those suffering from anxiety did so due to enduring a traumatic event or growing up in a toxic home. But now it seems, sufferers, myself included, have generalized anxiety and are worried about nothing in particular. I would love to hear an explanation from Mr. Rand on why he thinks this is happening so much today. I also know of two other girls in my high school class who also suffer from anxiety and are on special medication just so they can manage day by day.   Avigial S. 

Dear Editor,

As an empty nester myself, I feel entitled to respond to  Yankovich’s feature on my demographic. Not all seniors face depression and feelings of uselessness once the kids move out of the house. For me and others in my social circle, this new stage has brought happiness and satisfaction to our lives. I don’t mean to sound cold, but we were not exactly shedding tears when the last child moved out (tears of joy, maybe). The trick is to keep your friends even during those busy childbearing years,  always pursue your passion (and keep discovering new ones) and have a life outside your kids. We did all the hard work to raise our family, now it’s time to sit back and enjoy life! Evelyn Schwartz

Dear Editor, 

In your article “Beat the Heat,” you wrote that dark clothing reflects the sun. I’d like to clarify that. Dark colors absorb the sun. Light-colored, loose clothing is the right choice for hot, summery days. 

Thank you for an excellent publication. 

Dr. Richard Schwimmer, MD

Dear Editor,

According to NoHeatStroke.org, an organization that tracks pediatric vehicular heat related deaths in the United States, 52 children have died last summer from being left unintentionally in a hot car.  Please understand that cars heat up very fast: up 20 degrees in just 10 minutes. September is a hot month as well; don’t assume that just because summer is over that you can leave a child (or pet) in a parked car with just a window cracked open. To avoid making this deadly mistake, experts advise leaving your purse, key, or phone next to the child passenger, so you will not forget to look in the backseat. D. M.