Dear John Quiñones

Dear John Quiñones, I would like to thank you for the wonderful ABC Prime Time series, "What Would You Do?" After watching your scenarios each week, I felt confident that I could stand up to whatever situation demanded attention and would deal with it in a forthright manner. Each morning I walk. Four miles of sidewalk that has been part of my life for 25 years. Passing old and new neighbors, we greet each other as the sun rises. Yesterday morning, as cars passed me, and Van Morrison sang in my ear, I saw a figure on the sidewalk. About a block and a half , ahead, and with each step, the figure became well defined. It was a young woman walking, two, happy to be out of the house, dogs. The dogs were medium in size and she was dressed in a warm up suit. I love passing dogs during my walk. They seem to smile and say, "walk faster lady", as they pant in the hot sun. The dogs seemed to do a little happy dance as they enjoyed the smells of the neighborhood. Then it happened. The woman kicked one of the dogs as he strained on his leash. It took my breath away. I thought perhaps I did not really see what happened. Then she did it again. I was livid. My cheeks burned and my step quickened. As I got closer, I kept thinking, what will I say to her to covey how wrong kicking a dog is? In a few seconds, I was side by side with her. She was on the sidewalk and I walked out into the grass, around her. Maybe she was going to kick me? She only smiled and I just looked at her, not saying a word. It was just a few steps later when I realized, how wrong I was in not saying anything. "What Would You Do" had taught all of us to empower ourselves, and empower the people around us with positive support. I am still angry at myself. But I promise next time I will do the "right" thing and confront the issue head on. Your TV shows live within us. How interesting is it, what our memory pulls up at certain times in our lives? Thank you for helping us all become better people. Always, Robin Stevenson Tolbert NOTE ABOUT FAN MAIL: I have always believed that fan mail was for the part of the population who is a little bit narcissistic. This is my first fan letter.

BEST FRIEND DAY

August 15

"LIBBY"

The best friend in the entire world.

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Please take a moment today,

tell your friends how much they mean to you.

To my wonderful friends,

who love me "no matter what"

and touch my moments with friendship and love,

I send crushing hugs.

Love you.

Me

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