DEAR ABBY: This letter is for "Hurting in Whittier, Calif.," who thinks that wrinkles on her face are keeping her from getting a second look from men. There is nothing that will make people respond to her more than a sincere smile. It will make her wrinkles essentially disappear. Not only will it make her feel good, it will brighten the day of everyone she greets.
Abby, there is no guarantee that having a man in her life will make her feel any better. Believe me, I have had more to smile about since my husband of 27 years left town with another woman. I look younger, feel younger, and my morale has improved 100 percent. I have the same wrinkles I had when he was here, but no one notices them because I smile so often.
To paraphrase a quote from Nathaniel Hawthorne: "Happiness is like a butterfly -- the more you chase it, the more it will elude you. But if you turn your attention to other things, it comes and softly sits on your shoulder."
I hope "Hurting in Whittier's" shoulders will soon be loaded with butterflies of happiness. Sign me ... ALONE BUT NOT HURTING NOW, DANVILLE, KY.
DEAR ALONE: I'm printing your letter because many readers can benefit from your uplifting message. As the lyrics from a song in the Broadway musical "Annie" say: "You're never fully dressed without a smile!"