To the editor:

Re: letter written by Hilda M. Compton, Cazenovia

Judge Philip Gillian, of Denver, recently gave some advice to the young people of his community in response to the cry of many teenagers, “What can we do…where can we go?” “Go home!” said the judge.

“Hang the storm windows, paint the woodwork, rake the leaves, mow the lawn, wash the car, learn to cook, scrub the floor, repair the swing, build a boat, get a job, help the poor, study your lessons and when you are through and not too tired, read a good book. Your parents do not owe you a living, you owe the world something. You owe it your time and energy, so that no one will be at war or in poverty or sick or lonely again. In plain simple words – grow up! Quit being like a cry baby. Get out of your dream world and develop a backbone – not a wishbone – and start acting like a man or lady. You have no right to expect your parents to buy your every whim and fancy, just because selfish ego, instead of common sense, dominates your personality, thinking, and request. In Heaven’s name…grow up…go home!”

I just did a Google search to find out more about either the judge or the contributor, but found nothing. This powerful statement on a yellowed cut-out piece of paper was tucked in a folder in one of the many boxes of stuff from my late mother’s belongings.

Its wisdom is needed now more than ever. We always hear, “Now more than ever,” don’t we? I think it is because with every generation, we fall further from our Creator. Every generation tries to manage its world without direction from the One who made us, and it shows up in the selfishness stated by Judge Gillian.

Germaine Rysdahl

New Ulm