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Letters to the editor of the Globe Magazine

Readers share their thoughts on an essay about being raised by a single parent, wedding etiquette for stepmoms, and the Citgo sign.

SIBLING SUPPORT

What a brave, honest, tender, and ultimately beautiful piece this is about how the eternal power of love always shines through (Connections, March 11). Thank you, Shaniqua [McClendon], and I can imagine your mother’s tears, gratitude, and profound pride in you.

Ginger717 / posted on bostonglobe.com

I, too, was raised by a wonderful mom, and I, too, struggled with the lack of resources. But I think we both had an abundance of love from our mothers. McClendon’s sister is going to need her big sister now more than ever.

Michael Townes / Maynard

Despite growing up with limited resources, McClendon and her sisters did not allow this situation to negatively define their ambitions. It is evident their mom was a positive role model in many ways, as she instilled moral values into their lives. May they continue to be successful in all of their endeavors.

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Elaine Moss / Creedmoor, North Carolina

MATRIMONIAL ETIQUETTE

Seems to me that it’s just easier and more civilized to stay out of people’s wedding plans (Miss Conduct, March 11). Offer advice if asked, but otherwise, go with the flow. If it’s the reverse, and you’re dealing with a bridezilla, that’s a whole different story. (Don’t let them walk all over you.)

BillEGoat / posted on bostonglobe.com

Speaking as a stepmom, try not to sweat it. I had a similar experience at my stepson’s wedding. My husband and I were seated in the last occupied row on the groom’s side at the church. We couldn’t be seated on the bride’s side, and we certainly couldn’t be seated in the row immediately behind the biological mother and stepdad! I was more offended than my husband but I am so glad we didn’t cause a fuss. Fast forward 15 years, guess who stepson and daughter-in-law are closer to. Us!

GlobeReaderFromAfar / posted on bostonglobe.com

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GREEN LESSONS

Many years ago, I was a member of a community garden (Cooking, March 4). We were the youngsters, taken under the wing of elder, experienced gardeners. One of those gardeners told my friend and me that to squeeze all the liquid from spinach, use a potato ricer. Put the spinach inside, squeeze, and voila, you will have the driest greens you can find anywhere. As a matter of fact, sometimes, they are too dry. Try it, you may like it. Not nearly as messy and time consuming as wringing it out with a cloth and much more effective.

Cathy Cardamone / Brewster

COMPLICATED SIGNAGE

My family came here when I was little, and one of my first memories of the United States is that after landing at Logan and getting into a taxi, we passed the Citgo sign, all lit up (Perspective, March 11). I was awestruck; it was probably the first neon sign I’d ever seen. I asked my older sister, sitting next to me, what it said. “I don’t know,” she replied, “but I think it says ‘America’” (because it was red and white like the flag). I may be the only person who thinks of the Citgo sign as a symbol of America like the flag and bald eagle. But if you ever see a crazy guy on TV chaining himself to the Citgo sign to keep it from being torn down, you’ll know that’s me, and you’ll know why.

Foogie / posted on bostonglobe.com

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The Citgo sign has a fabulous location and it is great to have something bright there. But promoting a gasoline company owned by a dictatorship is the opposite of our values. Instead, put up a giant, bright sculpture by a Boston artist.

segalsegalsegal / posted on bostonglobe.com

I used to have a big attachment to the Citgo sign, but now I don’t care so much. It’s weird how we like things only because they’ve been there a long time. But regardless of who owns it, it’s still an advertisement for a company that has no meaningful ties to Boston. If someone else pays for it to be there, fine; if it becomes a burden on taxpayers, I say forget it.

sometimes / posted on bostonglobe.com

Why not replace it with a big, bright, modern, computer-controlled, LED billboard that can be programmed to display anything? Then the Citgo sign can be displayed from time to time for nostalgia’s sake but lots of other art (or commercial displays) could be shown, too.

jondi5 / posted on bostonglobe.com

I’ve lived here all my life, but let’s face it: The sign is only cherished because it’s been there for so many years. That’s not a good reason to cherish something. Fact is, it’s ugly. It always has been. Our city is better than an ugly neon sign. Much better. And the political implications of keeping it and revering it are not exactly endearing. I say let’s get rid of it.

tirq / posted on bostonglobe.com

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CONTACT US: Write to magazine@ globe.com or The Globe Magazine/Comments, 1 Exchange Place, Suite 201, Boston, MA 02109-2132. Comments are subject to editing.