Carter leaves lasting lesson on hospice benefits
Thank you to former President Jimmy Carter for touching lives in yet another way by calling attention to the many ways hospice care is helpful.
Having seen firsthand the benefits of hospice when my mom was in her final chapter, I called on Golden Rule Hospice caretakers when my husband, Dan Graveline, was recently in his final days. In both cases, they were as comforting to me as the caretaker as they were to the patient. My mom was in hospice care for almost 10 months; Dan, sadly, less than a week. They were in constant touch and provided excellent care and equipment, which helped ease the pain of losing my loved ones.
As a Jan. 1 AJC article stated, many associate hospice with death when, in reality, they help those left behind in immeasurable, loving ways.
SUSAN HIGHSMITH GRAVELINE, PEACHTREE CORNERS
President Carter was years ahead on climate change
Jimmy Carter was truly one of our finest presidents, one of whom we can all be proud. He truly cared about all Americans and all of humanity. He was highly educated and a man of science. He had profound environmental knowledge and was very concerned with climate change. He encouraged us to reduce our energy consumption. Sadly, he was years ahead of his time.
Carter had solar panels installed on the White House roof. Unfortunately, the next president, cowboy movie star Ronald Reagan, had them removed.
Sadly, we are facing a time of more fossil fuel consumption. This will result in acreage burned, increased suffering from heart and breathing problems, heat strokes, etc. We all need to face the reality of carbon pollution. We must do more to make the environment healthier for our children and grandchildren, who may wonder why we didn’t try harder.
We can walk, bicycle, carpool and take public transportation. Turn off unnecessary lights. Install solar panels. Drive an electric car.
KATHERINE MITCHELL, ATLANTA
Carter’s legacy a reminder that character matters
On Dec. 30, news came that President-elect Donald Trump lost his appeal in the E. Jean Carrol case, which resulted in a verdict rendered against him. The juxtaposition between the tributes put forth for former President Jimmy Carter that day and the never-ending news items that reflect the character of the individual Americans elected to be their next president is hard to ignore. Such times make it clear just who the people are that really have the greatest impact on the world.
At what point did so many of us come to believe the qualities that Carter exuded and is being revered for have no importance when deciding who holds our highest office or that having these qualities somehow goes against being a good president? As the next inauguration draws closer, may Carter’s legacy be a reminder that the character of our leaders should never not matter to us.
SANJAY LAL, STOCKBRIDGE
Make nonviolence top New Year’s resolution
The new year needs expectations that people recognize the importance of their health (mental and physical) and the health of humanity.
Nonviolence needs to be at the top of the list. Nonviolence in the family, in the community environment, schools, the world and, importantly, within the self.
The number 988 is a number to be remembered as it is there to call for helping the self and others when needed.
We must find a way, and appropriate communication is a good beginning. Bring back love in thinking.
LOUIS COHEN, DUNWOODY
