DEAR READERS: I know 2020 has been rough for many. I keep hearing how people feel this is the worst year they’ve ever known, and for the younger generations, this may very well be true.

Something that growing up and growing older does — or should do — is to teach us that it’s beneficial to always keep in mind that bad times do usually get better for most of us. I’ve been around long enough to see some sad and scary days, and to have observed that the people who best weather challenges large and small are those who can look beyond a dark present to a better, brighter future, which they may not even be around to enjoy.

On this holiday set aside for giving thanks, please remember to keep both eyes open for the better days that will come, and a heart grateful for what makes this and every day worth living.

Here’s to a good, safe, and happy Thanksgiving to all!

DEAR SOMEONE ELSE’S MOM: My brother borrowed my car a few months ago so he could get to work while his car was in the shop. When he came out from work at the end of the day, he saw that someone had backed into my car and damaged the rear fender and bumper. So I wouldn’t have to put in an insurance claim, he offered to cover the cost of repairs out-of-pocket, which I was OK with at the time.

I paid for the repairs when I picked up the car, which I needed right away. The same day I sent him the bill, which he promised to take care of right away. So far nothing. Both my wife and I have reminded my brother that he still owes us the cost of the repairs and he tells us he’ll get us the money after he gets paid next, and that was too many paydays ago. I am beginning to wonder if he intends to pay at all.

I don’t want to have hard feelings with my brother about this, but I also want him to uphold his part of the bargain. With the holidays coming, we can really use the money.

What do you think my next step should be? --- STILL WAITING FOR PAYMENT

DEAR STILL WAITING FOR PAYMENT: I think your next step should be to bug the heck out of him until he coughs up the repayment, reminding him how much you need the cash now.

Beyond that, I would advise you to never again lend anything of value to your brother.

DEAR SOMEONE ELSE’S MOM: My wife is a competent cook when she follows a recipe. However, she thinks she has a real flair for cooking and will go off script to “improve” a dish. The trouble is her improvements more often than not result in an inedible mess.

I do not want to discourage her from cooking, especially since she enjoys it so much, but I don’t know how many more unappetizing meals I can take. How blunt should I be with my test kitchen cook? --- FOLLOW THE RECIPE

DEAR FOLLOW THE RECIPE: It sounds like your wife’s creativity doesn’t yield a 100 percent failure rate, which may be a good starting point whenever you speak to her about her cooking.

Perhaps the way to go is to make clear how much you like the successful experiments and encourage her to use those ingredients and combinations more often.

A gentle push in the right direction might work better than spotlighting her misfires.