DearMYRTLE - Eye of the Beholder

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Eye of the Beholder

From: Ann Ellen Barr ellen@barrfinancial.com
RE: Family Tree's Bad Apples Can Be a Shock
http://www.dearmyrtle.com/05/04302.htm

DearMYRTLE,
In response to your column, I notice that it sometimes is in the "eye of the beholder" whether grandfather was a drunk or just liked to hoist a few. To one person a drink at any time is being a "drinker"; to another having a few socially or after work having a few beers is not out of the ordinary. How do we phrase this and are we to judge when we were not there? Just my thoughts, since one person says he had a drinking problem, the other that he enjoyed a few. Ah, so it goes.

DearELLEN,

I would not draw a conclusion, since I wasn't there. I would clearly state the two points of view, quoting wherever possible and let the reader draw his/her own conclusions.

PS - [Does this possibly qualify for my "shortest column in recorded history" award?]

Happy family tree climbing!
Myrt :)
DearMYRTLE,
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