DEAR ABBY: After reading the letter from "Still Hurting," we had to write. The letter concerned a woman who witnessed a mother embarrass her son by asking him if he was "stupid or dumb or both" while they were in a store.
Abby, my mother was very embarrassed because she thought it was referring to HER. Because of that letter, we now have a deal with our mother. Whenever her temper starts to get out of hand, we let her know before she says anything hurtful to us. We're proud to say our mother has not said anything hurtful since that letter ran.
Thank you for pointing out to our mother that words can cause lasting scars. It changed her. Now we get hugs, kisses and no more hurtful words. -- HAPPIER KIDS IN FRESNO, CALIF.
DEAR HAPPIER KIDS: I'm pleased that the letter motivated your mother to stop her verbal abuse. It takes great self-discipline to change the habits of a lifetime, and I applaud her for it.