What Happened To Embitter You?
Dear Ann Landers: I was intrigued by the letter from “Howard Beach, N.Y.,” who said he wanted only a platonic relationship with a woman and nothing beyond that. If I were 20 years younger, he’d be right up my alley.
My marriage of 16 years ended because I could no longer tolerate the sex in order to maintain the companionship. A lot of women think as I do. There are many of us who consider sex an unhygienic and degrading experience that must be endured in order to produce children. Since so many women these days don’t plan to have a family, I would think there are probably a fair number who would jump at the chance for a platonic marriage.
My passion for life is not driven by hormones. I’m content to visit with my friends and play with my cat, and I don’t consider myself abnormal, just fortunate. - Glad to Be Sexless in Canada
Dear Glad to Be Sexless: I respect your right to hate sex, but when you describe it as “an unhygienic and degrading experience,” red flags go up all over the place. I wonder what in your life happened that made you so bitter. You say your 16-year marriage ended because you could no longer tolerate the sex. I suspect it wasn’t the sex you couldn’t tolerate, it was the man.
Never say never. You just might meet someone down the road who makes you eat your words. You can play with the cat for just so long. Let me know if it happens.
Dear Ann Landers: This is a letter to my wife. I hope you will run it in your space because she reads you every day.
Dear Spouse: Please don’t call me at work to tell me I didn’t put the dishes in the dishwasher. Also, I do not want to hear that the children are driving you crazy. When you make such calls, it affects my mood, and I am unable to do my work.
Also, I would appreciate it if you didn’t ask me on the phone when I am going to get a raise. I do not know the answer to that question, and if someone should overhear our conversation, it might sound like I am not satisfied with my job, and I could be given a pink slip with my next paycheck.
Nobody in this office gets as many phone calls from home as I do. It has gotten to the point where the people I work with roll their eyes whenever my phone rings. I am sending this letter to Ann Landers because I know you read her column every day, and maybe if you see this in print, it will make an impression. - Your Loving Husband Who Has Just About Had It
Dear Loving Husband: Please let me know if your wife recognizes herself. I hope, for your sake, that she doesn’t. Such a letter would not help your marriage because she may accuse you of humiliating her. You two need counseling. I hope you get it immediately.
Dear Ann Landers: I am a student at Doherty High School in Colorado Springs. I’m writing to you because it is an assignment in my English class.
My 9-year-old sister is a pain and always trying to get me in trouble with my mom. Lately, it has been working, and she is getting on my nerves. I have been trying not to let her get to me, but she has been succeeding. What should I do? I need some advice on how to control my anger. I can’t seem to manage on my own. Thank you. - Suffering in Colorado Springs
Dear Suffering: Your mom is closer to the situation than I am. I suggest you talk to her in a non-tattletale way and ask for her help.