To the editor:

Hello to all my fellow Alaskans and welcome to the newcomers. I had an experience in our Valley yesterday that truly made me upset. I was enjoying a lovely sunny day with my three dogs over by Wasilla High in one of the “practice” ball fields, when a man approached me very rudely telling me to get my dogs out of here. The man stated how he is a volunteer and what not. I was very kind in telling him that I always pick up after my dogs and I also pick up all of the trash the kids leave around. I’ve been coming to this “practice” field for years and have never had a problem. Granted, there are no signs posted either.

I told this person I didn’t have a problem leaving, however I did have a real problem with the lack of respect for a fellow Alaskan/Marathon runner 4 The Leukemia Society/Volunteer for the Houston Humane Society — point being I wasn’t trying to be in competition with this person, just letting him know it wasn’t OK for him to talk to me this way. He then stated he was going to “take down my plate number.” I was already on my way out willingly and politely. What was his real issue? Bad day? I proceeded to my car at my own pace and continued to pick up trash along the way.

What happened to this wonderful place I have lived for over half my life? What gives people the right to talk mean to others, be disrespectful and or hurtful? I know this beautiful place we all call home is growing very fast. That’s life people. There are many different personalities here and we may not always care for everyone, however life is way too short to not respect one another. I know I can’t be the only person dealing with this issue on a daily basis. I thank God every day for my wonderful amount of patience, love, strength and ability to be able to communicate. I by no means am perfect. I like many others have a bad day, and on a rare occasion lose my patience too, and “lose it.” However I always try to go back and apologize to whomever the poor soul is that I took it out on.

Please join me in getting back to being at least as nice as you can be and caring about not just ourselves, but everyone who lives here.

As I write this, my mom is in the hospital in Beaufort, S.C., with a brain tumor. It goes to show life throws stuff our way on a whim and we need our attitudes to always be in check. We have children counting on us for guidance. Please help me, help others try to be kinder. Thank you.

If the man that approached me happens to be reading this — I don’t know if you care or not, but I forgive you.

Have a wonderful summer everyone and love each other.

Kym Coffey

Wasilla