DEAR ABBY: May I comment on the letter from the woman who purchased an answering machine to monitor calls while her husband was terminally ill? It lifted the burden of responding immediately to callers, and the messages people left were a source of comfort and support to her husband.
Several years ago, my husband was in the hospital. In order to keep friends and family updated on his condition, I put a message on my answering machine. That way, they did not wonder how he was, and it saved me many repetitive phone calls. Everyone appreciated the message, which I updated frequently, and they did not hesitate to call because they knew they were not bothering me. -- MARIA BREMER, MC HENRY, ILL.
DEAR MARIA: Putting a message on the "greeting" tape of the answering machine makes great sense. Not only did it provide reassurance to worried friends and relatives concerned about the condition of a family member, it could also keep families informed during disasters such as earthquakes, floods, tornadoes, etc.