EdItoR's NoTe NORTHWEST (.70/4(VIC‘hb/0" Far East Specials! To take advantage of these and other specials, call or visit AAA Travel Agency. RIJNGKOK Round-trip air & 4 nts. fr. The Royal River Hotel $'6 911 The Good Seed May 1 - June 30, 1998 (other dates/hotel slightly higher) Round-trip airport/hotel transfers. Airport welcome by English speaking destination representative. Full American breakfast daily. Half-day city sightseeing tour to three famous temples. Hotel service charges included. Round-trip air & 4 nts. fr. Hotel Jinglun or grand View Garden Hotel $799 May 1 - June 30, 1998 (other dates/hotel slightly higher) Round-trip airport/hotel transfers. Airport welcome by English speaking destination representative. Full American breakfast daily. Half-day city sightseeing tour. Full-day Great Wall and Ming Tombs with lunch. Hotel service charges included. Prices are per person, based on double occupancy and round-trip coach air transportation via connection, direct, and nonstop service between Detroit, Grand Rapids, Lansing and Tri City airports on Northwest Airlines. Subject to the conditions of the fare, changes may be made; however, certain restrictions and an administrative service fee may apply. Prices are not retroactive and are subject to change and availability. Standard World Vacations Terms and Conditions apply; other restrictions may apply. Auburn Hills 248-377-2350 Birmingham 248-433-8211 Pontiac 248-666-2600 Lathrup Village.... 248-443-8989 Royal Oak 248-399-7100 Farmington Hills.. 248-553-3337 Troy/Rochester .... 248-879-5604 . M 1 Travelers Cheques No Fee to Members! Ask About Exclusive AAA Member Benefits! 1, 0( Travel www.aaamich.com Beautiful Backyard Woodlawn I PLAYCENTERS Play Centers 18 models in stock...Redwood & Pine /71 1 Delivery & Set-up available • We accept Visa, Mastercard & Discover AUBURN HILLS 2391 Pontiac Road (248)-373-0734 "Our 52nd Year" KING BROS. Hours:. Mon.-Fri. 8-6, Sat. 8-5 R TRAX® EVENT PRODUCTIONS OXFORD 1060 N, Lapeer (248)-628-1521 •VI DEOGRAPHY •MCS, DDS, DANCERS •BAND BOOKINGS •VALET PARKING •NOW HIRING VALET PARKERS 4/24 1998 74 ach time I was pregnant I had to take numerous tests the purpose of which, though my obstetrician always I carefully explained them to me, I 1 seemed never to remember. One 1 I had to repeatedly endure, and so it remains a little more clear to me than the others, had to do 1 with sugar. 1 It began when I drank this horri- ble liquid (really, the taste of it was as painful as labor) that had the consistency of something like motor 1 oil and the flavor of I Sprite mixed with sick- 1 eningly sweet corn syrup. Invariably, the test began at 6 a.m. -1 (does anyone ever have an appointment 1 at a hospital any time but the break of day?). These doses, by the way, are not limited to one hearty help- : ing. Instead, they.are adminis- tered each hour for three hours, in-between which, blood is 1 drawn. I usually dozed off soon 1 after each motor-oil cocktail, . though at times I would converse 1 with the nurses and other women 1 who looked about as happy to be there as I (there's nothing a preg- nant woman loves quite so much as getting up before the sun!). During one of these tests the group began a discussion about spanking. There is not much in life I about which I am so absolutely convinced I am right, but this is one of them. Spanking is hitting, and hitting is abuse, and abusing children is unforgivable. Everyone there disagreed with me, and 1 when I told them, "I can't think of a single thing my children do that would make me want to hurt LOCATED IN THE ORCHARD MALL (WEST BLOOMFIELD) them," one woman said: "Then yk ou'.7, lucky: you have good kids." Yes, I do have good children, but they weren't born any "better" than other children. Contrary to the popular movie, there are no bad seeds. But there are bad par- 1 ents. When children are raised with patience, they learn to be kind. When children are treated with respect, they respect others, in turn. When children are hugged and played with and hon- ored, they learn that it's a good world where they are want- ed and loved. We have one chance with our chil- dren, a few years in which to guide and teach them. We can do it gently, or we can be cruel. Ultimately it is us, the parents, who will determine whether we 1 have "good kids" or not-so-good 1 ones. Children are a gift from God, the start of something extraordi- nary, like a tiny seed that one day grows into a sheltering tree. So, too, are babies like tiny buds 1 who, with the proper love and 1 guidance, flower into radiant souls. ❑ Elizabeth Applebaum 1 AppleTree Editor You've heard in my columns all about my children. Now I would like to learn about yours. See ad page 109.