Dear Amy: I have procrastinated far too long in trying to get a solution to my dilemma.

The main reason for that is, I do not want to hurt or offend my dear, sweet 87-year-old next-door neighbor, “Ruth.”

She is one of the kindest people on the planet, tends to her church and all of her elderly friends, and is generous in every way.

While barely able to walk easily without a cane, she still kindly brings my paper to my front door each morning.

But instead of lightly dropping it on my front steps, she powerfully flings the entire rolled-up paper, which (nine times out of 10) slams hard against the front door and wakes me up with a loud bang!

I know it would hurt her to think that she is waking me, as well as banging up the wood on the front door!

Do you have a kind and gentle solution to this dilemma?

– Concerned Neighbor

Dear Concerned: I don’t want to diminish your problem, but frankly, this seems like such a quaint concern that I suggest that you should embrace the entire experience.

The rolled-up newspaper, flung by mighty “Ruth.”

Both have a limited future, and I think that one day you’ll find yourself longing for the sound of the morning’s thud.

You can email Amy Dickinson at [email protected] or send a letter to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068.