LETTERS: YES, PARENTING IS HARD, BUT JOYFUL TOO

To the editor:

My hat goes off to Mark Baker, the journeyman lineman who wrote the admirable letter June 18 (my daughter's birthday, by the way). Perhaps we all had to show a little added patience and be inconvenienced a little longer than we would have liked, but there are probably more than you realize who are so grateful for a job well done by the employees of AmerenUE following the May 17 storm. My thanks to you.

The comment in his letter spoke to my heart. If only all parents would realize the awesome responsibility they have been given with the birth of each of their children. I have three children who are grown and have families of their own now. I am the proud grandmother of six grandchildren (seven this coming January).When my children were very young, I remember reading once that the hardest job in the world is being a parent. And the easiest job to procure is being a parent. I was reminded of this while reading Mr. Baker's comments about what is really important in today's world: our children. There is nothing I have been more blessed with than my children, and what a gift they've been to my husband and me than to watch them be the loving parents they are today.

Thank you, Mr. Baker, for reminding us of this.

CAROLYN YOUNG

Cape Girardeau