Jim Warda’s column (Stepping up to protect a son’s feelings, July 30) is a beautifully written expression of love–but it is also hypersensitive.
It is improbable that Mr. Warda’s coworker intended harm, but offense was taken because Mr. Warda has this extraordinary (in his view) love.
Good grief! Where does this end? Should every reference to idiosyncrasies of Scandinavians in general or Swedes in particular (spoken in my presence) bring out my righteous ire?
At my first daughter’s wedding, during a toast I said that I did not like the words “son-in-law.” I much prefer “son” as my daughter’s husband was now a part of our family. It was a simple expression of love, telling my daughter how very much I loved her and how excited we were that our family was expanding.
Because of my relationship with my now five children–my second daughter married two years ago–am I now to self-righteously raise the flag of political correctness every time an “in-law” joke is uttered? What nonsense.
We are stepping beyond the bounds of rationality if you carry Mr. Warda’s premise to its logical conclusion. Some people are clods. I don’t have time to be offended by clods. With all due respect, there are better ways to spend time.
— Mark Olson, Cyberspace
FITNESS MOTIVATION
Regarding your story in the Family section and John Bingham’s commitment to get into shape (Penguin sighting: When it comes to motivation, this runner leads the pack, July 23), recently I saw a girlfriend I haven’t seen since I was married 11 years ago. I waved at her and smiled, but she wouldn’t acknowledge me. I went over to say hello, but she didn’t seem to know who I was until I told her. She was astonished, because I looked so different (heavier!).
This girl and I met a few weeks later for lunch, and it was at that lunch that I knew my “shape” was no shape at all! So I joined a weight-loss group and took up walking. The walking was going to be something I did on the side, just to help out with the weight loss.
But the walking has become addictive. I walk every morning, and although I only do 2 miles, it makes me feel wonderful. I have lost 22 pounds.
What keeps me motivated? I’m losing the weight for me, but I keep telling my kids that it’s also because I want to be healthy enough to be around when they get married and have kids of their own. And I’m feeling so much better, even my kids notice it.
Another thing that keeps me motivated? That girlfriend. I think of her and how I’m going to meet her again in a few months and hopefully I will have “shaped” up for her to notice.
— Pat P., Aurora, Cyberspace
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UP NEXT: Do you think constructive solutions to family problems can be worked out on a television show? Would you be willing to settle your family disputes in this way?
BACKGROUND: “Judge Hatchett,” a new television show from Columbia Tristar Television airing at 11:30 a.m. Monday through Friday on WFLD-Ch. 32, features former Juvenile Court Justice Glenda Hatchett ruling on cases that range from small-claims disputes to deeper, emotional issues such as cases involving personal family matters.
Send your response to Chicago Tribune Family section, 5th Floor Features, 435 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago IL 60611, or e-mail us at ctc-family@tribune.com.
