DEAR ABBY: Why do people write messages such as "Happy Birthday" to dead people in obituary columns in newspapers? I comprehend the idea of memoriams, but to wish someone who has died a happy birthday or anniversary seems ludicrous to me. Will you point this out to your readers and comment? -- MYSTIFIED IN EASTERN MAINE
DEAR MYSTIFIED: I'm printing your letter, but I wish you would open your heart a bit and stop being so judgmental. People often do this because a special occasion such as a birthday or an anniversary makes them long for the person who died. They are still grieving over their loss and want their loved one to be remembered.