Dear Readers: Many of you wrote in with touching stories about your loved ones and handkerchiefs. I’m printing a few.

Dear Annie: I’ve been smiling at the letters you received on this subject, because they reminded me that’s how my mother taught me to iron my dad’s handkerchiefs as a kid.

Well, not much gets ironed these days, but 10 years ago when I lost my husband to cancer, I was cleaning out his dresser and tossing his old handkerchiefs when I found a package of new ones.

Something made me think to save them, not give or toss them away.

Well, here we are today in a pandemic, and those brand-new handkerchiefs sure make good face masks, and they don’t cost $12.95 apiece, either. — Staying Safe in NY

Dear Annie: I have a story about the handkerchief. My dearest husband was 85 years old when he passed last December. He was the ultimate gentleman. We were together 40 happy years. He said his father taught him to always carry two handkerchiefs: one for himself and one for his lady. He never failed to do it. I hold this memory close to my heart and smile when I think of it. — Loved in Louisville

Now, a new subject.

Dear Annie: Hope you consider printing these questions, since they have made a difference for someone in our family.

1. Have you ever decided to stop drinking for a week or so but only lasted a couple of days?

2. Do you wish people would mind their own business of your drinking, not tell you what to do?

3. Have you ever switched from one kind of drink to another in the hope that this would keep you from getting drunk?

4. Have you had to have an eye-opener upon awakening this past year?

5. Do you envy people who can drink without getting into trouble?

6. Have you had problems connected with drinking the past year?

7. Has your drinking caused trouble at home?

8. Do you try to get “extra” drinks at a party as you did not get enough?

9. Do you tell yourself you can stop drinking any time you want, although you keep getting drunk?

10. Have you missed days of work or school because of drinking?

11. Have you ever felt that your life would be better if you did not drink?

With permission from Alcoholics Anonymous — AA Questions

Dear AA Questions: Hopefully these questions will urge anyone who needs help to take that first step and attend a meeting.