In an April 28 letter to the editor, DeeDee Wright asked the question, “What have you done for a child lately? … Criticism does nothing to help local children.”

That question led me to ask two questions: 

Do you know the best time to plant a tree?

The answer: 20 years ago.

Do you know the second best time to plant a tree?

That would have been April 23.

Turning loose of a balloon is a very easy thing to do, but planting a tree requires some work.

Releasing balloons is littering. Planting a tree is not.

Releasing balloons is an empty gesture. Planting a tree is forever.

Releasing balloons is harmful for everyone and everything on Mother Earth. Planting a tree is healthy for the whole planet.

Releasing balloons is just wrong. Planting a tree is mighty right.

In 1984, Steve Wariner had a hit song “What I Didn’t Do.” In that song, he sang the words, “It’s not what I did, it’s what I didn’t do.”

Who, when and how I can help anyone is my business, not yours. So even though your question doesn’t deserve an answer, here goes one anyway. What the heck?

Here’s what I didn’t do. I didn’t let my left hand know what my right hand was doing (King James Version).

I didn’t blow smoke around all the little children at Dan Nicholas Park.

I didn’t sit at a keyboard looking to be critical. I don’t even have a keyboard.

I didn’t “celebrate” Child Abuse Month, and I sure didn’t release a balloon.

Now, here’s my answer to your very unnecessary question.

I planted a tree.

– Whitey Harwood

Rowan County