DEAR ABBY: Why do men and women of the clergy expect to be paid for performing wedding and funeral services for members of their churches? My mother informed me today that the preacher at my grandmother's funeral will be paid $100, and the man who sings will receive the same.

Both of these men had known my grandmother for 20 years. Neither one will be inconvenienced in the least to attend her funeral.

I thought being a church member entitled one to at least a few kind words said about them without the family having to scrape up more money. I would never dream of charging for saying a few words about someone I claim to have known and loved. It would be an honor and a privilege to deliver a eulogy at the funeral.

What do you think? -- NO PRICE ON FRIENDSHIP

DEAR NO PRICE: I agree it is both an honor and a privilege to be asked to participate. However, when the clergyperson or musicians render professional services, they should be compensated.

That said, nowhere is it carved in stone that a clergyperson must officiate. Read on:

DEAR ABBY: My mother-in-law died after an excruciating nine-year illness. It left my husband emotionally exhausted. He had always planned for his uncle to officiate at her funeral. Unfortunately, the uncle preceded her in death. We felt strongly about not wanting a stranger to perform the service.

I'll never fully understand why I offered to conduct my mother-in-law's funeral myself -- but I did. I have no professional background as a public speaker or a minister.

When I told our daughter, she fully supported my decision and asked to help. We had little time for planning, but on the plane from her home in Washington to Florida, she jotted down ideas for a division of responsibilities, including music.

Our ideas paralleled amazingly in a situation neither of us was personally prepared for. We were apprehensive about what the more conservative family members would think, as well as our emotional ability to perform this function. We were determined to do what would please and comfort our husband and father most.

To our great relief, our efforts were fully supported by all who came. To know her cherished granddaughter and other relatives participated in her unique and personal service would have pleased Grandma beyond words.

Abby, I've learned we are limited only by our perception of our abilities. -- A FLORIDA FAMILY

DEAR FLORIDA FAMILY: How true. I hope your letter will inspire others to follow their hearts.

DEAR ABBY: A reader who signed herself "Mom's Daughter, Rockwell, Texas" agreed with your response that when it comes to funeral attire, it's not about what people wear; it's what's in their hearts that counts.

Her letter made me recall these words from "The Little Prince," by the late Antoine de Saint-Exupery: "It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye." -- ARTHUR M. PRINCE, Ph.D., MEMPHIS, TENN.

DEAR ARTHUR: He was right. That's one of the reasons why "The Little Prince" is a little classic.

Dear Abby is written by Pauline Phillips and daughter Jeanne Phillips.

To receive a collection of Abby's most memorable -- and most frequently requested -- poems and essays, send a business-sized, self-addressed envelope, plus check or money order for $3.95 ($4.50 in Canada) to: Dear Abby's "Keepers," P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Postage is included.)

DEAR ABBY: My 20-year-old daughter, "Justine," has gotten pregnant. She is not married and lives with her boyfriend, his mother and brother. I did not raise her this way.

My problem is she asked me how many baby showers I plan to give her. I told her none. She asked me why. I told her it is not appropriate to give a baby shower "under the circumstances." The few choice words she had for me were so bad I hung up on her.

Abby, her boyfriend doesn't work, and half the time neither does Justine. I was so angry I forgot to tell her that her father and I would make sure she and her baby had what they needed. Should I try to make amends and give her a baby shower? -- GRANDMA-TO-BE IN ALABAMA

DEAR GRANDMA-TO-BE: First, it is improper for a mother to give a shower for her married or unmarried daughter. It should be hosted by a friend, an aunt or a cousin.

Second, whether you approve or not, the baby is a fact of life. So accept it, and try to be a little less judgmental. Your daughter and grandchild will need your support emotionally, and probably financially.

Third, your husband should have a heart-to-heart talk with the young man. He must be told what is expected of him as a man, breadwinner and father-to-be because it appears he hasn't a clue.

DEAR ABBY: I hold strong beliefs about historic preservation and zero population growth. You could call me an activist. I am generally against any sort of land development. However, I recognize and respect that others -- including my longtime boyfriend, "Brian" -- do not share my beliefs.

We recently attended a small dinner party. A young couple we had just met were enthusiastically discussing their purchase of an undeveloped plot of land in one of our city's oldest neighborhoods. They are planning to build a new home.

I smiled and said nothing. Brian, however, volunteered the fact that I believe it's unethical to develop virgin land, and that people who have the means to do it should restore old homes instead.

While I tried to demur, everyone at the table insisted I explain myself. I was mad at my boyfriend, and later told him he was rude to the couple for putting a damper on their happiness -- and to me, for forcing me to assume an adversarial position with people I barely knew. Brian says we're all mature adults and we should be able to have an engaging discussion about such topics without hurt feelings or anger. What do you say, Abby? Sign me ... TOO SENSITIVE(?)

DEAR (NOT) TOO SENSITIVE: Your boyfriend may have been bored and wanted some more lively conversation, but it's no excuse for putting you on the spot. Had you wanted to air your beliefs, you would have done so. He had no right to speak for you.

DEAR ABBY: My boyfriend and I are considering living on a sailboat together. He is my true love. We're not yet married, but perhaps we will be in the near future. We get along really great, but I am not confident that living together would be a good idea. Our parents would hate us. What should I do? -- MOTION IN THE OCEAN

DEAR MOTION: Listen to your intuition. Keep your feet firmly planted on dry ground, or else you could find yourself not only in over your head, but up a creek without a paddle.

Dear Abby is written by Pauline Phillips and daughter Jeanne Phillips.

What teens need to know about sex, drugs, AIDS, and getting along with peers and parents is in "What Every Teen Should Know." To order, send a business-sized, self-addressed envelope, plus check or money order for $3.95 ($4.50 in Canada) to: Dear Abby, Teen Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Postage is included.)

DEAR ABBY: The letter I am enclosing with mine was written to you in March 2000 by my daughter, Kelsey Leigh Holland. She never mailed it. Kelsey died in her sleep of respiratory failure on Dec. 29, 2000. She was only 13.

"DEAR ABBY: My mother is a workaholic. She works at work, at home, after dinner and after all hours. She never has any fun. I'm afraid she's on the verge of a nervous breakdown -- if not already over the edge.

"I've talked to her, so have my brother and my father. How do I send the message to Mom that life is not just paperwork and deadlines, but fun and happiness? Signed ... OUT OF IDEAS"

Oh, how I wish I could change the past and spend less time working, volunteering, etc., and more time with Kelsey! But that's impossible. What I can do is be a better mother to my son, and pass along my daughter's message to your readers.

Parents, PLEASE spend more time with your children. Listen to them, share with them, teach them. Every moment of life is precious and we truly don't know how much time we have left.

Thank you, Abby, for listening. I wish I had listened before it was too late to spend more time with Kelsey. -- LORI HOLLAND, RIVERSIDE, CALIF.

DEAR LORI: Please accept my deepest sympathy for the tragic loss of your daughter. I'm printing your message as a reminder to other parents. The working world can be extremely demanding -- and often there are not enough hours in the day to do what needs to be done. But children are young only once, and they are with us for such a little while.

Readers, the tragedy that has befallen this mother may never happen to the vast majority of you -- but in life, there are no guarantees. I could lecture for paragraphs, but I think you get the message.

DEAR ABBY: Because you sometimes print letters about acts of kindness, I would like to tell you how three guardian angels came to my aid this past winter.

I was traveling from New Orleans to visit my boyfriend in Dubuque, Iowa, when my connecting flight from Chicago was canceled. Another flight that day was unlikely because of bad weather.

In line at the ticket counter, I overheard two women talking. They were also going to Dubuque. I asked what they intended to do about reaching their destination. They introduced themselves as Mary Ann and Monica, and showed me a bus schedule they had gotten. After some negotiating, we managed to purchase tickets on a bus that would take us as far as Rockford, Ill., where Mary Ann's husband would pick us up. The women stayed with me the entire time and reassured me that everything would work out.

After a short wait in Rockford, Mary Ann's husband, Jim, arrived in the pouring rain and drove us safely to Dubuque, dropping me off at the door of my boyfriend's dorm. I tried to give him $10 for his trouble, but he refused it. All three of them waited in the car until they saw that I was safely inside.

Jim, Mary Ann and Monica, thank you. I will never forget your kindness. -- KATIE IN NEW ORLEANS

DEAR KATIE: I'm sure you won't. Your guardian angels literally went the extra mile -- and many more -- for you.

Dear Abby is written by Pauline Phillips and daughter Jeanne Phillips.

To receive a collection of Abby's most memorable -- and most frequently requested -- poems and essays, send a business-sized, self-addressed envelope, plus check or money order for $3.95 ($4.50 in Canada) to: Dear Abby's "Keepers," P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Postage is included.)