To the Editors:
How touching was your article "A Christmas Story," by Roger Rosenblatt [NATION, Dec.30]. Every city in this country has a Sunset Park with its Mallorys, Marias, Geraldines and Mary Pauls. Reading about their lives made me take stock of myself and forced me to swallow a large dose of "shocking reality." George Harris Sr. Houston
After spending Christmas Day serving meals to the poor and homeless of New York City, I returned home to read your moving story. It focuses on the simple truth: love is a shared pleasure that comes from helping others without asking for anything in exchange. Timothy Corrigan New York City
Twelve years ago we worked as group parents in the community-center programs initiated by Sisters Mary Paul and Geraldine, and we were delighted to see your story about them. While readers will find your coverage interesting and enlightening, we believe the piece does not begin to suggest the depth, intensity and total commitment of the sisters. Nettie and Herman Frank La Mesa, Calif.
You captured well the love, gratitude, faith, trust and belief in each person's uniqueness and mystery that Sister Mary Paul and Sister Geraldine exhibit. Their commitment is a witness to the life of a religious in the '80s, and they serve as models for each of us. Robert J. McMahon, Executive Director St. Christopher-Ottilie Services for Children and Families Sea Cliff, N. Y.
Sister Geraldine and Sister Mary Paul are doing the kind of work most people admire but would not do. Loving and doing for someone and not being loved or thanked in return is not a lifetime occupation many would choose. Yet I suspect the good sisters have found more satisfaction in their work than most of us do. Kay Robertson Everett, Wash.
Your Christmas story was splendid. It teaches that we should celebrate the growth of the human spirit, not only in late December but all year. Esther Hamel St. Ignatius, Mont.
Reviewing '85In looking over the year in pictures [IMAGES, Dec. 30], I noticed that you did not include any photographs of the astronauts in space. You often feature forces that divide mankind. It would be useful to show us a picture reminding us that we all live on the same small planet. Gregory N. Papadatos Fort Ord, Calif.
You can have your Prince and so-called macho men Don Johnson, Pete Rose and Sylvester Stallone. For me, it is the picture of Koko and kitten that makes my heart skip a beat. Shirley A. Tavormina Nokomis, Fla.
Between your farewells to Konstantin Chernenko and Jean Dubuffet, both of whom died in 1985, you should have placed Philippine democracy. I have been waiting to read of its demise in TIME's Images since 1972, when President Ferdinand Marcos declared martial law in that "bastion of democracy in the Pacific." Gus Fernando Richmond Hill, N.Y.
You failed to highlight the visit of President Reagan to the Bitburg cemetery in West Germany. This event was condemned by numerous religious and veterans' groups and was widely perceived to be insensitive to the memory of those who perished during the tumultuous years of World War II. Noach Dear, Councilman 32nd District, Brooklyn New York