It is sometimes tough to wake up in a hotel room without hearing familiar voices shouting ?Mum, look at X? or ?Dad check on Y, he is annoying me?. It can get very nerve-racking at times but you will never know how much I wish I could hear them when I am far away from you.

Having shared a wonderful week together, I was even sadder in the loneliness of my hotel room on resuming duty, when suddenly the heartbreaking cries of a lady in the adjacent room called upon my attention and compassion. Images of her rubbing her reddened eyes while hot tears kept running down her face seeped through the wall together with her grievances. A long plea intended to someone unworthy of her love as he seemed to have hurt her. This person most probably was lying on the bed watching TV, unmoved by the unfurling of feelings before him. Yet he was its main cause and he did not seem to care?

The lady was continuing her sad soliloquy when I left the room. I could hear her at some point saying: ?It?s over.? I could only hope that he would break the ice and say a word, at least defend himself if he was not to blame.

When I came back to the room, everything was quiet, I don?t know if there was a happy end to that ugly scene but wished that, in my absence, they had talked it over and tried to soothe the pain that filled the air?

Similar situations unfortunately happen everyday and are responsible for so many problems in society and families. During a recent family conversation, one of you said how difficult it was to say ?sorry?, how it was easier to feel regrets than to voice them out.

I am really concerned about this misleading behaviour, which fears that saying the word ?I?m sorry? would diminish one?s self-esteem. This single word could have saved many a broken heart, family and friendship, though it should be accompanied by tangible proof of a change in behaviour or a gift wrapped with sincerity.

Showing you are sorry is as important as saying you regret your wrongdoings; one does not work without the other. I am convinced that it is wrong to hurt other people?s feelings and I believe that sooner or later one has to pay for such misdeeds.

Some people say it?s just superstition to discourage bad deeds, they give you examples of evil characters who seem to be alive, kicking and happy. But I can assure you the bill one day arrives with accrued inte-rest. That?s the rule of life: every action entails a reaction. The best way to stop the boomerang is not to throw it at all.

Choosing your friends or later your life partner is one way to avoid clashes. Some say that extremes attract each other but remember that birds which flock together are usually of the same feather! So try to know each other before engaging in any relationship.

Talking and sharing is another way. Unhealthy is any relationship devoid of dialogue. Listening is an art so many people fail to nurture, yet it is so important for mutual understanding. Dare ask questions about the other person?s feelings and expectations. Don?t just think about your own little person because sharing takes two.

Loyalty, fidelity, patience and other values must be nurtured to avoid throwing the boomerang of anger and hatred in any relationship. Yet, if ever you have to throw it despite your efforts, please ring the forgiveness number immediately.

It is a life-saving number you should never forget because the boomerang of pain and sadness will come back to you unless you call the number which bears no figures but only six magic letters: SORRY!

PS: I love you, kids.

<B> Alain JEANNOT</B>