Columns & Editorials

Dear Aunt B,

IS AN OATH OF OFFICE JUST WORDS?

If you’re a certain age, you’ll need to withdraw money from some of your retirement accounts each year. But in 2022, the amount you must take out may be changing more than in other years – and that could affect your retirement income strategy.

“I would be normal, and if someone did something wrong, I would send him to the dungeon,” says Claire, age 6.

WHAT CHRISTIANS CAN SMILE ABOUT?

Dear Aunt B Readers,

My mom died. I wrote that sentence a hundred times in a hundred different ways, all equal in their floweriness and complicated sentence structures. All versions sounded equally ridiculous. Perhaps a harsh and unforgiving occurrence needs a harsh and unforgiving opening line. Truth be told, I don’t want to write about her death this week. It’s just that I can’t seem to write about anything else. Besides, at 12:30 am it will mark one week since her passing. I haven’t cried all day today. Before this column is finished, that will all change. If you feel like crying along with me, I’d appreciate the company. This is what we call a full-blown mascara alert. Spoiler: I thought, as this is not my first rodeo in the substantial loss and grief arena, I could get through the passing of my mother somewhat unscathed. I’ve never been

Dear Aunt B,

The year 2020 threw public education a furious curve ball. The system swung and missed. Strike one. We were glad to see 2020 end thinking 2021 would have something much better to look forward to. What a trick. We got a repeat of what we just left. More haphazard planning, inconsistent information and reactive pandemic responses that affected student achievement. Strike two. Now 2 years into the pandemic, public education, students and families are still in an upheaval with no plan of stability in sight.

Dear Aunt B,

Dear Aunt B,

OUR THIRTY-EIGHT YEARS IN FORNEY

As you know, 2021 was full of chal lenges. We were still feeling the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic when supply chains shut down and inflation heated up. So, if you’re like many people, you might not be sorry to see the year come to a close. But now it’s time to look ahead to a brighter 2022. And on a personal level, you may want to set some New Year’s resolutions. You might resolve to improve your health and diet, and possibly learn some new skills, but why not make some financial resolutions, too? Here are a few ideas to consider: