Charlie Brown and His Lessons of Life

In spite of the sports media’s incessant incantation that “winning is everything,” there is a great deal to be said for losing (“Sigh,” Feb. 15). It is, after all, through losing that we often learn what is significant in this life and what is not. And Charlie Brown taught us that. So let us honor the memory of Charles M. Schulz by remembering that each of us is significant in this world, however many times we fall on our back trying to kick that football of success. God, I am sure, wouldn’t have it any other way.

--WIL BRYDON

Winnetka

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We have been fortunate to have “Peanuts” printed in our Sunday newspapers for almost 50 years. The lovable characters have warmed our hearts, made us laugh, and inspired us in good and bad times. The “Peanuts” gang will always be a part of the American spirit!

Loyal fans will always remember Charlie Brown’s elusive football, and his profound cries of “Aaughh!!” and “Good grief!”

--RICK SCHREINER

Balboa Island

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Today the world has a smile on its lips and a tear in its eye. You were a good man, Charles Schulz.

--REIKO KOBATA

Gardena

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Suddenly, my hand froze over the keyboard last night as I typed an e-mail to my 84-year-old father with my usual signature: Love always, Peanut Loretta. I was 4 in 1950, the year Charlie Brown and friends made their first appearance. And as long as I can remember, that has always been my nickname between me and my dad. I never knew, until now, even without asking, its probable derivation.

--LORETTA AYEROFF

Los Angeles

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I was shocked and saddened to learn of the death of Charles Schulz. Since Charlie Brown, Linus, Lucy, Snoopy, etc., will be leaving with him, I feel like I’ve lost a huge part of my life.

I’m a “Peanuts” fan from way back. . . . I love the clever drawings and the sophisticated yet down-to-earth, humor of the strip. I could relate to a lot of the characters at different times in my life: I was unpopular and wishy-washy yet persevering like Charlie Brown; happy and yet insecure like Linus; crabby and a fussbudget like Lucy; played piano and loved classical music like Schroeder; and let my imagination run wild like Snoopy.

You’re a good man, Charles Schulz. I will miss you very much.

--CHERYL H. LONG

Arcadia