Q: My husband reads the obituaries pages in our newspaper every day. I think it is a waste of time. He disagrees. I try to convince him to do something more productive. I have lost that battle.

How can I change my attitude and share his enthusiasm?

A: Coming from a newspaper background, I learned years ago how passionately readers feel about obituary pages. Readers often threatened to cancel their subscriptions if editors did not publish an obituary page.

Your husband probably compares what he has done during his lifetime with others. Obituary details are always positive, as relatives share their love for the person who has passed, revealing how much they truly cared and how much joy that person brought them.

Families want to let others know who has passed away and how they would like to be remembered.

Readers like to know where people were born, causes of death, religious preferences, passions, careers and how they made a difference in the world during their time on Earth. — DOUG

WISDOM OF PARENTS

Q: I am a young woman in my early 20s and will graduate from college in June. Time to get on with my life and find out what's ahead. I have a good family, but there have been some rough spots between my parents and me in the last couple of years. Luckily, our differences seem to slowly be working themselves out. My mom and dad read your advice column, and recently they suggested I might gain some insight about how parents feel about their children by hearing what you have to say and taking your advice. What do you think?

A: Yes! I have never met a writer who did not believe their words of wisdom would be helpful to readers. Certainly, your family holds a top spot in your priorities. Although you will make friends and acquaintances, your family should always be in the forefront.

Learn to love yourself first. By doing so you can make others happier, too. Stay in touch with your family. Life is never perfect.

Learn to be patient with others and give them a chance to share their viewpoints. Lifetime friends are small miracles, and the real friends you make are worth your effort.

Finding someone to love and who loves you. We only really need the basics — money for food, shelter and education.

Dream big, find a passion, be honest, be caring, learn to laugh daily, be compromising and creative and consider religion. Respond positively to whatever happens to you.

Be grateful for what you have been given. Believe in magic! Be optimistic. Spend time with your friends. Forgive even when it is challenging, and seize opportunities. — Emma, Doug's granddaughter

Doug Mayberry makes the most of life in a Southern California retirement community. Contact him at deardoug@msn.com. Betty is a friend of Doug Mayberry, whom she helps write this column. To find out more about Doug Mayberry and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.