LETTERS: AGE BRINGS OPPORTUNITIES TO GAIN TOO

To the editor:

I don't disagree with Ron Farrow often, but his last two commentaries have piqued my interest.

Yes, Mr. Farrow is right. We do lose a lot of things as we age, but more importantly I think we gain things that more than balance our losses. At least we have the opportunity to gain, in wisdom, patience and time -- especially time, time to better serve our family, our church, our God and our community.

And we have learned to suffer our losses, many mundane, with dignity, grace and courage. We can learn to live with the exquisite pain our old bodies develop.

All the above withstanding and notwithstanding, I and my friends think these are the good old days. Still, we know we live on God's time, and we prepare ourselves for life here and for life in the wonderful hereafter.

Further, Mr. Farrow makes some good points about state Sen. Peter Kinder's remarks and position on the relevant characteristics of this presidency.

I would just like to say that I think it's high time our officials at all levels express their views on such important -- nay, crucial -- questions of our time. Aside from the office they hold, character counts, example counts, truth counts, and all of us need to assess those things and talk about them. Further, we need to try to improve our world by participating, being knowledgeable and voting our conscience and not just what we consider our need.

MORRIS BELL

Patton