Shakely and Bates

In an era of columnists’ mean-spirited cynicism and wise-guy political cartoons, it was with great happiness that I read Jack Shakely’s and Karen Grigsby Bates’ wonderful columns (Commentary, March 3). Shakely reminds us that in each individual there exists the miracle of reuniting through caring and sharing, that if each of us spends a few hours a month, we can improve our neighborhood and our world. There is such power in between our ears if the attitude is good.

Bates’ ode to her generations of teachers is inspirational--that each of us is a teacher and a student, that teachers should be honored, and that teaching should be a constant celebration of parent/child, oldster/youngster, you/me.

SANFORD R. GOODKIN

Del Mar