EDITOR'S NOTE: I could never call her LaVerne even though she said I could. She was and always will be Mrs. Hammond to me.

Mrs. Hammond, 92, a longtime Seniority columnist, died Jan. 3 in Shorewood, Wis. Her daughter, St. Petersburg Times book editor Margo Hammond, said her passing was peaceful: "She just slept away."

I did not hire Mrs. Hammond; that decision was made by former Seniority editor Mary Jane Park. But I would like to think that I would have made the same smart decision.

I knew Mrs. Hammond for just three years, and in that time she was a progressive thinker, compassionate, fun to be around and always seemed to know where to find the silver lining.

Her final column, an open letter to her great-granddaughter, is a reminder to believe, dream and love . . . things we all need to remember. I will miss Mrs. Hammond.

Sheila Reed, Seniority editor

Dear, dear little Lara,

When I was a little girl of 10, I woke up one morning with a little ditty going through my mind:

I met a little Elf-man, once,

Down where the lilies blow.

I asked him why he was so small

And why he didn't grow.

He slightly frowned, and with his eye

He looked me through and through.

"I'm quite as big for me," said he, "As you are big for you."

The next day, I told my fifth-grade teacher about what I had remembered. She said, "That is amazing. You have a very good memory."

I had learned the poem back in the first grade. It is by John Kendrick Bangs, an American poet who was popular at the time. He was born in 1862 and had died the year before the poem popped into my head in 1922.

I tell this story to you, dear Lara, to encourage you to develop your mind as early as possible. Read and stay curious.

You are only a few weeks old - my very first great-grandchild. I feel so privileged that I have been able to live this long, so when you came at Christmas time, I was able to hold you in my arms. I am 92 years old. I won't have as much time with you as I would like, but I want you to know I love you very, very much.

I have so much in my heart to share with you.

My love of learning is only one of several legacies I hope to leave you. I strongly believe that a child's character is shaped by the values of those who went before them.

I hope you always tell the truth. Your great grandfather, Paul, believed strongly, as I do, in the virtue of honesty. He always thought it was important never to shortchange anyone. Like a lot of people who are good at math, he routinely rechecked the figures on bills, in restaurants, for example, but he was just as concerned about undercharges as overcharges.

I remember going into a bank with him when he was cashing a check. When he received his cash, he discovered a $10 mistake. When he approached the teller with the error, the teller drew back and said haughtily, "We never make mistakes."

Your great grandfather waved the $10 in the face of the clerk and announced, "Ten dollars too much. Should I take it?" But the red- faced teller quickly grabbed it.

There was a lot of humor in our home while we were raising your grandma, Diane. Her cousins loved to come to our house on Sheridan Road in Kenosha, Wis., to play.

One summer they dragged out all of their stuffed animals and created a zoo in our back yard. Our Siamese cat, er, lion, was the main attraction. Our basement was a kid's dream, full of fun rooms where your grandma, her sisters and cousins would skate, hide and play school.

Yes, Lara, believe it or not, the kids couldn't wait until school was out, so they could rush to our house and set up a school room, complete with blackboard and homework.

Remember, you can be anything you want to be. You can be a scientist, a doctor or an athlete. Get involved and do what you love to do most.

Sad to say, in my day sports were offered to boys only. We had swim classes and gym but competitive sports were not provided for girls. I am so happy that has changed. I hope you take advantage of learning a sport so you can experience the thrill of winning and the bitterness of defeat. Both are important lessons in life.

I know if you follow the same moral path that your parents have followed, you will be strong. Honor them. Consider everyone in the whole universe as a sister or a brother regardless of nationality, religion or color of skin. We are all created equal and should be treated that way. Be happy in the success of your friends and neighbors.

Envy and jealousy are never appropriate. What you do or think of others will come back to you.

In February, you will experience your first Valentine's Day, a day that has been set aside to celebrate love. I think every day should be a celebration of love. To love and be loved every day of the year for the rest of your life - that is simply what success is.

Lovingly,

Your great-grandmother LaVerne