DEAR ABBY: I have been meaning to write to you for a long time. Now that we have gone through another year of Mother's Day and Father's Day, would you please acknowledge those of us who did not have a parent who deserved to be honored? SOME PEOPLE SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO BE PARENTS! I dread these commercialized days every year. Our planet does not lack for population. We don't need more people.
There are horror stories every day in the media about child abuse, yet you honor these people without qualification. For those who have parents who deserve to be honored, I'm happy for you. But the celebration is only salt in the wounds of those of us who wish we'd never been born. -- ONE OF THEM IN LONGMONT, COLO.
DEAR ONE OF THEM: I agree that the commercialization of certain holidays can be painful for those who cannot join in the celebration. This would include children and adults who were abused or neglected by their parents, as well as those who no longer have living parents.
I doubt many people remain childless for the public good. Usually there are deeply personal reasons for it. For people who are childless by choice, every day is an affirmation of their decision. However, for those who want children and cannot have them, their loss can be excruciating.