In response to the
November Debate,
“Should it be man-
datory to give adult
adoptees full access
to their birth records
if they want it?”
Debate goes on

NO. I think health records should be available, but names should not, unless approved by the birth parent.

Kim Huff-Caplan from facebook.com/Costco

YES. Adult adoptees should have access to their own identity (including parentage information).

Penelope Needham from facebook.com/Costco

YES. As a birth mom and adoptee I think the adoptee should be able to have all the information. Medical records are important but just scratch the surface of what most adoptees want. I can’t think of any comparison for non-adoptees. Most adults know when, where and whom they were born to. Adoptees deserve to know their story—it’s their journey and they were the only ones who weren’t part of the decision.

Marikathryn Hendrix from facebook.com/Costco

YES. For those who may not be aware, adoptees are four times more likely to attempt suicide. This is not because we feel special and chosen. It is because we have a permanent disconnect from our origins.

Elle Cuardaigh from facebook.com/Costco

Have something to say?

Readers are encouraged to submit letters to our editors on any topic or issue covered in The Connection. Please include your full name, phone number and address. Send an email to dialogue@ costco.com; or write to: Dialogue,

The Costco Connection, P.O. Box 34088, Seattle, WA 98124-1088; or fax to (425) 313-6718. The editors reserve the right to edit letters for publication.

Tell us your story

HAVE YOU HOSTED a freezer meal party? These are get-togethers to make large batches of meals. If so, we’d like to hear about what you’ve done and get your tips on best practices for a potential story in an upcoming Connection.

Send your name and contact information, including phone number, to dialogue@costco.com. Be sure to include “freezer meal party” in the subject line.

CORRECTION

The correct credit for the photo of Marlon Brando on page 91 of the October Connection is: Photo Copyright Lawrence Grobel.

Grobel’s photos of Brando appeared in his book

Conversations with Brando (Rat Press,

2009; not available at Costco).

LAWRENCE GROBEL

10 Days on Brando’s Island

CONVERSATIONS

RAND

WITHB O

Hot dog!

My grandmother, Ann Kruke, recently enjoyed a celebratory Polish sausage on her 102nd birthday at the Costco in Glendale, Arizona. Her birthday is November 1, and every year she has two questions: Who’s coming, and when are we going to Costco for a hot dog? I want to nominate her as the oldest living human being to finish the Costco Polish sausage, and, yes, she ate the whole thing (with sauerkraut, too!)

Stephen Shaw Glendale, Arizona

Book ‘em, Costco

I love the book gift guide in The Costco Connection. In the age of technology it is important we keep literacy under the tree.

Mikey Sadowski @MikeySadowski

Brené Brown

I was so excited and delighted to see Brené Brown’s article in The Costco Connection

[“The wholehearted path,” September 2015]!

Becoming a mom over 20 years ago propelled me to choose a holistic lifetyle for

Member comments

Hearing aids

I read with interest “What did you say?” in the November 2015 issue. Now in my mid- 60s, I have been wearing hearing aids for some time. I am sure there are many readers out there who no doubt need hearing assistance. As [author Judith L.] Kanne alluded to in her article, hearing devices do not replace one’s own hearing, but they sure do help.

Annette Kohoutek Yankton, South Dakota

Hospice care

I was delighted to see in the November
issue of The Costco Connection that you
acknowledged National Hospice and Pallia-
tive Care Month. However, you inadvertently
helped to perpetuate a common myth: that
hospice is about how you want to spend “the
last days of your life.”
Hospice is actually about how one wants
to spend the six last months of life. A prog-
nosis of six months or less is needed to start
hospice services. It is sad to see so many of
our patients come onto our service when they
only have days to live. We can provide so much
more comfort care to patients who are open to
receiving it much sooner!

Marie F. Piazza Santa Rosa, California

Gifts of inspiration

Thanks for the inspirational words at the top of the pages of the Holiday Gift Guide [Costco Connection, November 2015]. Gifts of friendship, laughter, gratitude, kindness, sharing and joy are always welcome and meaningful. It is a good time to remember not everyone is as lucky as we are.

Willie Dickerson Snohomish, Washington

Festive feasts

I enjoyed the entire November issue of The Costco Connection. I particularly love what is said in the Editor’s letter: “one of the greatest gifts we can give each other is time together around a thoughtfully prepared feast.” Amen, Tim!