The Galveston Daily News from Galveston, Texas • Page 13

Growing older Living with conflicts (NEA)-Every older couple we know has had at least one knock-down, drag-out fight with its adult children. My wife, Nikka, and I are no exception. Our blow-up took place seven years ago. Until then, our relations with our children had been good. We were celebrating my 70th birthday.

The party started pleasantly enough. I They lovingly toasted me and Nikka. We gave our orders to the waitress. We sipped our drinks contentedly as we waited for our food. Nikka, who is more sensitive than found an opportunity to whisper into my ear: "These two are putting on an act.

They're having trouble. Maybe we can help." About halfway into the meal, these troubles became all too evident. Both our son and our daughter started to attack us. Each blamed us for his or her MR. AND MRS.

BILLY JOE MCDUFFIE of 930 Millard Drive announce the engagement and approaching marriage of their daughter, Patti Gayle, to Dr. Charles Louis Fougerousse, the son fDr. and Mrs. Charles Emil Fougerousse of Galveston. The wedding will be Saturday, May 23, at 8 p.m.

at the First Baptist Church in Nacogdoches. current miseries, which, they said, stemmed from their childhood. The air bristled with accusations. We defended ourselves as best we could. The basis for the fight was that we had been lousy parents.

I won't go into all the specifics of the quarrel. Suffice it to say that both children blamed us for the emotional and interpersonal problems that they were having at the time. We can talk about the fight calmly now. Our relations with our children are again warm, loving and mutually supportive. But at the time, it was a horrible experience for all of us.

For the next six months or so, we had no contact with our children in person or by telephone. The separation was complete. The totality of the separation was my fault. I accepted none of their criticism. I convinced Nikka that we had been good parents.

I pointed out that our methods of child-rearing conformed to in fact, was better than those that prevailed while our children were growing up. I reminded her that we had been loving, thoughtful and wise. Nikka agreed with me. But she had grown up in a family that believed, "Der Kluger gibt nach." That means that the wise person gives in and, therefore, that all broken relationships can be mended with understanding. I don't remember now what resolved the problem.

Nikka may have broken the unhappy silence with a phone call. Or maybe I had a question that I needed to ask one of our children. No matter. Friday Morning, April 3,1981 CBS tops ratings 13-A NEW YORK (UPI) CBS continued to dominate the ratings last week, placing eight shows in the Nielsen's top 10 and winning the first six. The scorecard: CBS 19.9, ABC 17.4 and NBC 14.4.

The top 10 network programs for the week ending March 29, according to the A.C. Nielsen were: I.Dallas (CBS). 2.60 Minutes (CBS). 3. Dukes of Hazzard (CBS).

4.M-A-S-H(CBS). S.TheJeffersons(CBS). 6. Gone With the Wind, Part II (CBS). 7.

Love Boat (ABC), 8 House Calls (CBS). 9. Magnum PI (CBS). 10. Diff'rent Strokes (NBC).

A.C.T.SAYS MR. AND MRS. JOHN G. PARR of Champions announce the engagement of their daughter, Deborah, to Clyde F. Rutherford, son of Mr.

and Mrs. Glen P. Rutherford of Dickinson. The bride-elect is a 1978 graduate of Cy-Fair High School. She attended Stephen F.

Austin States University where she was a member Alpha Chi Omega sorority. She is presently attending the University of Houston. Rutherford is a 1978 graduate of Dickinson High School and attended Stephen F. Austin State University. He was a member of Kappa Alpha fraternity.

He is presently employed by Southwest Airlines. The couple is planning a June 27 wedding at St. Dunston's Episcopal Church. APRIL 4 M. PRATT LaM.

SCHOOL BOARD, POSITION 1 Pd Pol Adv by P.all PARENT TEACHER We took 21 seats out to put more comfort KLM gives the international business traveler a better Business Class. Now KLM gives the international business traveler more comfort to more places with more service. We're adding the Dutch Touch SM to make a better international Business Class. More comfort We took 21 seats out of every one of our 747-Bs put more legroom in. So you have more room to stretch out and get comfortable.

Wiggle your toes. And cross your legs as you cross the ocean. And our better Business Class is more than just a curtain. It has separate cabins that are really you can get some work clone. Or just relax.

to more places KLM offers Business Class to more places around the world than any other airline. Now you can fly our better Business Class to from there to Kenya, South Africa, the Middle East-and to most destinations in the Far East. with more service Our better Business Class gives you more more comforts for the rest of you as well. The drinks, wine, a choice of complimentary. As is the Delft-style coaster that comes with your of a collection of 12.

There are hot towels before your just to make you extra comfortable, cozy flight slippers to slip into later. from Houston. KLM offers you the only 747s nonstop from Houston to Amsterdam. Our 2:55 p.m. flight gets to Amsterdam early enough the next morning to catch a connecting flight to dozens of European cities.

vSo the next time you fly on business, fly KLM, the the international business traveler. Call your Travel Agent or KLM. Royal Dutch Airlines Start Your Day With The News To Subscribe, Call 744-3611 DICKERSON TIRE APPLIANCE 2410 WINNIE TV's STEREO'S SALES SERVICE RADE-IN YOUR OLD SET WE SERVICE WHAT Wf SEU GALVESTON fc LA MARQUE SCHREIBER MILLER DISinCCT THING TO HAPPEN TO HAS THE DIUUC3I T.V. VIEWING IN A26 REMOTE OIA. CONSOLE NOW Trinitron lens) Color System Soft-touch 14-pushbutton Express Tuning Built-in fluorescent digital clock Lumisponder light sensing system Alpha Chassis for greater reliability Hand rubbed pecan wood cabinet CONVENIENT CREDIT TERMS ARE AVAILABLE DISCOVER THE CONVENIENCE OF REMOTE CONTROL! JUST 15" REMOTE CONTROL TELEVISION (mewsurod diagonally) Trinitron (one lens) Color System Soft-looch 14-pushbutton Express Tuning for instant channel selection 14-pushbytton Express Commander remote with volume muting switch EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR BEAUTIFUL MUSIC! REDUCED TO slereo Receiver Play and Record Cassette Tape Deck Precision Turntable Matched Bass Reflex Speakers "IT'S A SONY." PLAY YOUR FAVORITE CASSETTES! YOURS RADIO CASSETTE-RECORDER Automatic Music (AMS) Rec mute switch Variable-level recording monitor 3-digit tape counter Tone and balance controls Soft-eject mechanism A "IT'S A SONY? 1 SWEET SOUNDS OF SUMMER! NOW PORTABLE RADIO plus separate FM Memory-Slat'ion preset tuning instant, one-touch reception of your favorite FM station without retuning Full-size 4" speaker for rich sound operation, with built-in AC cord i nit net HOWOWNID irotri GALVESTON LA MAKQUI 2318 Market 310 Oak St.

762-S634 TOW VISA 1 MM WHCOM TO JlSOPM MONDAY THRU SATURDAY.