Letters: Cut out Saturday mail; words of sympathy for columnist (4/28/20)
Cut out Saturday mail
Re: “Coronavirus threatening delivery of the U.S. mail,” April 10 news story
Regarding the U.S. Postal Service’s critical budget woes, why doesn’t Congress permanently cancel mail service for Saturdays? This has been debated many times in the past to no avail. So, now in light of the current financial situation, this would be an opportune time to do it. We, as a nation, can no longer suffer such a luxury and, really, who would miss it?
Art McCray, Aurora
Words of sympathy
Re: “Having to say goodbye to mom without final hug,” April 26 commentary
“The loneliest moment in someone’s life is when they are watching their whole world fall apart, and all they can do is stare blankly.”
I have been a longtime fan of Mark Kiszla’s. As a writer, I have enjoyed his way with words and his honest opinions. However, Sunday’s column had me in tears as he wrote so movingly about the death of his mother and his inability to be with her. Goodbye without a hug. There is no lonelier feeling than this and I speak from experience.
I am not alone in not being able to comfort our ailing or terminal loved ones who are hospitalized or in rehab during this COVID-19 time. We are unable to hug, kiss or stay close as our loved ones suffer. Perhaps this is one of the saddest aspects of what we are currently experiencing. All we can do is “stare blankly.”
Thank you, Mark, for your passion and your feeling and thank you for sharing it with us. Thanks to The Denver Post for encouraging such feeling — even in the Sports pages.
Sue Petrovski, Lakewood
When the pandemic started, my No. 1 fear was for my 93-year-old mother, who has been on lock-down in her retirement community in St. Louis. I can’t bear the thought of not being able to go see her one last time and support her through her next life transition. Our hearts were saddened for Mark Kiszla and the loss of his mother. His article in the Sunday Denver Post was a great tribute to his mother and beautiful reflection on his own emotional process. Thank you, Mark.
Craig Knippenberg, Denver
Howling out our support
The way out is the way in. We used to treat each other with respect. Now we have a culture of contempt. By showing respect again, we can find the unity that we need so that we can prevail over our difficulties.
Let’s howl together at 8 o’clock. Through music, we transcend our cultural differences and show our gratitude to those who keep our civilization going while we lie dormant. Besides, it’s fun.
Philip Mortensen, Denver
I think it’s wonderful that we’re howling, playing “Ode to Joy” and in other innumerable ways celebrating those folks on the frontlines of the coronavirus crisis. They certainly deserve our admiration, respect, and, most especially, gratitude.
I wonder if somehow we could organize a mass show of empathy for those who are suffering the consequences of the shutdown: all those who are out of work and trying to make ends meet, homeschooling their children, taking care of elderly parents and so much more. On an individual level, I’m sure many of us are trying to help out, but how about as a society we shout loudly, “We feel your pain!”
Dan Eberhart, Denver
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