Pushing My Buttons
After I read Larry Gross’ “Looking for the Joy” column (issue of Dec. 10), I ended up shaking my head as tears came streaming down my face. He has this way of pushing my buttons.
I become so annoyed when I read Gross’ rants on same-sex marriages and abortion, and that one-sided story on his bartender was really over the top. But then he writes something so moving and touching I have to continue to read his column to see what’s coming next.
Love him or hate him? I have no idea. — Geri Lunken, Erlanger
The Best Gift of All
I read Larry Gross whenever he’s in the paper, and almost always I enjoy his Living Out Loud columns. I believe “Looking for the Joy” (issue of Dec. 10) is his best yet. There’s a line toward the end that captures and sums up life perfectly: “In essence, that’s life — it is too short, but my memory can be long reaching.”
Gross’ brother gave him the best Christmas gift of all: his love. I’m glad he’s holding on to that wonderful memory. Thank you for sharing this with us. Merry Christmas.
— Lori Gullen, Clifton
Genuine Reason to Smile
I was moved by the story Samantha Gibson told in the Living Out Loud column “Too Much Fun” (issue of Dec. 3). Among the other emotions she stirred up, I was angry at the question asked by one of the women at the party: “So, have you thought about kids yet?”
Gibson’s discomfort and pain were clear when she replied, “We’re having too much fun trying!” and gave her inquisitor a “fake, too-bright smile.”
Please remember that your body is your private property. Gibson doesn’t owe anyone an account of her reproductive life. She’s having a hard enough time getting pregnant without also facing nosy and inappropriate questions.
When people asked me this kind of question many years ago, I used to say (depending on who was asking), “You’ll be the first to know” or “That’s private.” Replies like these protected my personal boundaries, kept me in command of the situation and let the questioners know they were way out of line.
I wish Gibson and your husband success in conceiving and hope she’ll soon have a genuine reason to smile.
— Karen Feinberg, College Hill
