LETTERS: CONCERNS ABOUT NEW MILLENNIUM

To the editor:

My personal feelings of fear, expectation, wonder and anxiousness are mounting as time grows short for the year 1999. The complete change a new century will bring is creating for me somewhat of a reluctance to turn loose of our present century, especially since I have lived almost all of the 1900s. I fear there will be no more good old days to look back to in the year 2000. The decency and modesty that once existed have already turned to sexuality and worldliness as near the year 2000. The word "shame," I fear, is already completely forgotten. Respect for the proper use of the gun will be completely lost in the year 2000. The complacency and serenity of the 1900s is already turning to confusion and unrest.

It is not meant for the world to remain stationary, however. That is already becoming evident. Medical science has already reached the stage of blocking or curing a number of major diseases.

Children are growing to adulthood at a very early age. Intelligence among people is continually increasing, resulting in surprising and wonderful results.

All this creates a desire and thrill among people to look forward to a complete new century and a complete new way of life.

Many references for sure will be made to the 1900s, leaving the 1800s far in the past.

One thing will remain the same, however. I can still hold to many precious memories that were so dear to me in the 1900s. But can't we all?

PAULA E. KEMPE

Cape Girardeau