DEAR ABBY: The copy of "Please God, I'm Only 17" appeared in today's Chicago Tribune, and its appearance was very timely. Just yesterday, I confiscated my 17-year-old son's driver's license after overhearing a conversation with a friend in which he boasted of doing 60 in a 45-mile zone on a small residential country road. (I didn't know yet how long I would keep it or what else I might have him do in order to make an impression.)
I decided upon the following course of action after reading your column. I clipped it and gave it to him with the following:
"Dear John: When you copy this little piece, 'Please God, I'm Only 17,' 25 times in your neatest writing and on good paper, and prominently display all 25 copies in your bedroom (nope, make an extra two copies, one for each car), you may have your license back. John, this is called tough love. Remember it. You may have to use it some day with one of your own children. I love you. Mom"
Thanks, Abby. -- TONI WEAVER, McHENRY, ILL.