How well I remember when Linda Eastman stole my favorite Beatle's heart and became Linda McCartney! Yet seeing them grow closer and closer through the years has been truly inspiring. I was stunned and saddened to hear of her death, and my heart aches for Paul and their children.
Carol Padden, via e-mail
It is impossible to imagine Paul without his soulmate, bandmate and inspiration for so many beautiful love songs. Though she had to endure heckling and cruel remarks on the road over the years, there were many of us who respected and admired her.
Dena Kelly, Coral Springs, Fla.
When I was young and shallow I used to wonder what Paul McCartney saw in Linda. She was no raving beauty and any claims to musical ability seemed suspect. Now that I'm over 40 I think I see what Paul saw: simply that Linda Eastman was a woman who possessed something that Paul as a man needed. Theirs is one of the great love stories of the last few decades. Thanks for letting us examine their romance a little closer.
Sue Langland, Puyallup, Wash.
Your touching article on Linda McCartney really choked my husband and me up. We both admired her from the beginning of her relationship with Paul. Not only was Linda a dedicated wife, mother and musician, but she changed my life forever when she said, "Never eat anything with a face." Our hearts go out to Paul, Heather, Mary, Stella and James.
Lori and Randy DeBord, Schaumburg, Ill.
When are you people going to learn to respect someone's privacy? Thanks to you, a ranch that the McCartneys have owned for 20 years is no longer a secret. What does it matter where Linda died? Report the primary stories! Stop this incessant need to always dig deeper! Leave people alone. If the tables were turned on your staff, I bet they wouldn't be too happy.
C. Garbacz, via e-mail
May it give Paul McCartney some comfort to know that many others share his pain in the loss of his lovely Linda.
Pamela Wakely, Lombard, Ill.
Faces of Hunger
For a nation that gives hundreds of millions of dollars to other countries on a daily basis, I find it disturbing that we do not first take care of our own. To have the people of the strongest country in the world going hungry is nothing less than a sin.
Linda McKee, via e-mail
I was very impressed with your article. This is the kind of story I read PEOPLE for, not to vicariously live the glitz of the Oscars or what the current model of the month is wearing this week. I was especially overcome by the piece on Margie Kleinholz. To think that someone who lives with her day-to-day hardships is only concerned with the welfare of her friends and small charges makes me think the human race isn't done for after all! We should all be so giving.
Charts Hanberry, Decatur, Ga.
I've been feeling sorry for myself lately because of certain things happening in my life. But after reading your article, I thank God that I at least have a job, a good family, a home and know where my next meal is coming from. My heart goes out to all the families in your story. I can't imagine the hardships these people have to live with every day. I know my life will be brighter and better. I hope their lives will be too.
June Miller, Pacific Palisades, Calif.
Scoop
Jennifer Tilly's assumption that those of us who live in mobile homes waste our lives watching the likes of Jerry Springer is insulting. I've never heard of Miss Tilly until today, but you can bet that should her name pop up on a marquee, album jacket or book cover, I'll be the first to avoid her work.
John Bowman, Indianapolis
Shame, shame, shame on Jennifer Tilly for her insensitive remark, and shame on you for printing it. It's obvious that those who live in trailer parks have become media punching bags, and hardly ever does anyone speak up in their defense.
Dick Leiter, President, Florida Manufactured Housing Association, Tallahassee, Fla.
Lesley Clement
Hurrah for Lesley Clement! Thank goodness there is someone looking out for the well-being of the elderly in nursing homes. My grandmother is in a nursing home in San Antonio and not receiving quality treatment. One employee told my mother that they were not paid enough to provide good care. My grandmother is on Medicaid, and we cannot afford to send her to a better, cleaner home. Hopefully, with people like Lesley, nursing homes will provide the care and respect that everyone deserves.
Anonymous
While I praise Lesley Clement's work helping the elderly and their families with abuse in nursing homes, it is important to note that there is a volunteer program in most states that investigates any complaint the elderly and their families may have. As a trained and certified ombudsman through the state of California, I investigated many elder-abuse cases and referred them to state licensing authorities and the police. While it may be necessary to hire an attorney in the long run, the ombudsman program can assist the elderly at no cost. In California, all nursing homes are required by law to display the local ombudsman telephone number for assisting residents with the protection of their rights.
Robyn Westerkamp, Walnut Creek, Calif.
Masked Magician
If the Masked Magician thought his fusty profession needed help, why didn't he spend his time coming up with new tricks instead of tearing down the craft of other magicians? To the Masked Magician, I say: It takes no great talent to destroy something built by others and no great courage to hide behind a mask while you are doing it. Shame on you for robbing the world of what little magic it has left, and shame on FOX for helping you.
Penny Manson, Sacramento
I am a 14-year-old magician who loves magic. The Masked Magician is ruining the entire magic community! He should be banished from the world of magic. I don't care why he is doing this—all I know is that he was someone who couldn't make it in the big league. What a loser!
Chris Hadlock, Marshall, Texas
In the Money
What a concept, a bank that takes care of its customers! Our main bank branch has so much turnover in employees that I am never comfortable asking the most mundane banking questions. Of course our bank has been taken over twice in the last four years, so the majority of employees were probably squeezed out. The patrons in Lowes, Ky., had better appreciate what they have. Wish we were there!
Name Withheld, Dulzura, Calif.
Aniston and Donovan
So what if Jennifer Aniston was pressuring boyfriend Tate Donovan to get married. He is 34 years old. She did the right thing. If he does not know at his age after two years of dating, then he is an immature fool.
Pam Bryson, Denville, N.J.
Joey Russell
I would just like to say how happy I am to see the kindness in Joey Russell's gift to his friend's mom, who
needed money for surgery. I am 12 and forever sick of adolescents being portrayed as Leo-or Kate-loving mall hounds. It's nice to see someone out there with a heart.
Jennifer Hoguet, via e-mail
I would just like to let Beth Newell of North Salem, N.H., know that Sandy isn't the only one who wanted to change because she loved someone. If she ever watched Grease she would see that at the end, Danny comes to the fair with a letterman's jacket and says that he'll do anything to get Sandy. In the end they both tried to change for each other.
Jennifer Bauer, Wheeling, W. Va.
Lighten up, people! Grease is a perfectly good movie. It is an American classic. I am 12 years old, and this movie is not detrimental to young girls—unless your kids are so stupid that they would actually change for a guy just because a movie character did. Nobody is that stupid, and I know some pretty stupid people.
Jennifer Gigantino, Walnut Creek, Calif.
Saved by the Bell Reunion
The hookups, the meltdowns, the memoires
The case reveals what was really going on what they think of each other now!
