.....DEAR ANN LANDERS: I am a 48 year old widow with four children, My husband died suddenly of a heart attack last year. This has been a difficulty time, but thanks to my husband's loving foresight, our family is doing well. Throughout our marriage, in spite of tight budgets and financial difficulties, he maintained substantial life insurance policies on both his life and mine. Even with my full-time, I would not have been able to manage without his insurance money. At least our children's grief was not compounded by the loss of their home and friends.
.....I am shocked by the number of women who have told me their husband's have little or no life insurance. They have two cars, a boat and costly vacations. They give their children music lessons, dancing lessons, and orthodontic braces, but they ignore the possibility of what their children would do if the principal were to die or become disabled.
.....Many people have small insurance coverage through work and believe it's enough. They need to wake up, Ann. It cost me $15,000 to bury my husband I'd hate to think where I would be now if that dear man hadn't made sure we were provided for after his death. - Carol in Martinez Calif.
.....DEAR CAROL: Your letter is a wake-up call. Thank you for a warning that could make a big difference to my readers.