I was in Asheville on vacation in early November and came across your issue [with] the letter from the lady in regards to the 13-year-old boy that went trick-or-treating [“Let the Holidays Mean Something,” Nov. 7]. What a sad world we live in when someone thought it was inappropriate for this young man to be out and enjoying the holiday. I was raised by a stepfather who was also a theocratic person. Fortunately it was only for two years. I am so grateful that this young man’s father is no longer in his life.
Many of us do need to blur the lines a little and just enjoy the holidays without putting a wet blanket or whatever on someone’s dreams and fun, no matter what age we are. My hope for this young man is that he will have the best Christmas ever and never encounter this type of old and grumpy person again.
— Gerald Sowell
Los Angeles, Calif.
