It’s Time to Grow Up

Doris Roberts is right (“Hollywood Ageism: ‘We’ve Got to Make More of a Fuss,’ ” by Brian Lowry, Oct. 7)! She is also a fine actress and a funny, beautiful woman. Inevitably, as we grow older, we become figures of fun to people who are just like we were years ago. People realize too late that old people--with their scars and wrinkles--were once young and smooth. They also fail to accept the fact that they will change in the way that humans do with age. Too bad--for the old and the young.

I witnessed an interview with Kevin Spacey a few months ago in which he told of the profound effect Jack Lemmon--a gentle, compassionate man--has had upon his attitudes toward others. Spacey, by his own admission a former wise-guy, was wise enough to take advantage of an opportunity to follow the example offered by someone older whom he admires.

Ridiculing old people is opening a door to a similar fate for those who have not entered that stage of life--yet. Life is short, folks, get real!

DOROTHY E. DEMKE

Mentone