Painting used by permission of the artist, who wishes to remain anonymous

An Appeal to Your Gentler Nature

Dear Reader,

I appeal to your gentler nature for a few moments. Please indulge me.

You have a mother, no doubt. No matter how you feel about her, you would not be here without her. I believe life is a beautiful gift. I am, therefore, grateful to my mother for giving it to me.

I do not like to think of harm being done to my mother, who is now 90 — nor my 38…