Others Will Gain From Your Letter

Dear Ann Landers: I am a 28-year-old female with three beautiful daughters. I am writing to thank you for the column you wrote in which you urged wife batterers to get counseling. That column helped me avoid a life that could have destroyed me and the future of my children.

I was the victim of a battering boyfriend. He was physically, emotionally and verbally abusive, and as your column pointed out, whenever his control became threatened, he developed an inner rage that was truly frightening. After daily criticism, arguing, fighting and complaining, I always forgave him and believed he would see the error of his ways and miraculously change.

The night before I read that column, my boyfriend took me through the classic steps of spousal abuse. First, he started an argument. Next, he shoved me. Then, he slapped me and punched me. Soon after, he became remorseful and begged me to forgive him.

The following morning, I arrived at work, and your column attracted my attention - especially the part that said, “Get out.” When I went home that evening, I called a neighbor over for protection and told my boyfriend to move all his belongings out of my apartment and hand over the keys.

Ann, please keep telling your women readers that no matter what their station in life, they do not deserve to be abused. We should never allow a man to put us through that kind of pain and suffering. Now that I’ve finally gotten smart, I want to encourage others to do the same before it’s too late. - Once Lost But Now Found

Dear Found: Millions of abused women will read what you’ve written. You are to be commended for laying it on the line for the sisterhood. Brava!

Dear Ann Landers: You recently printed a letter about the theft of bank receipts from a dumpster, and you asked why the forgers weren’t prosecuted. I can give you the answer from personal experience.

Two years ago, a new friend of my daughter’s stole some of her checks and gave them to her mother, who was an accomplished forger. It was a nightmare dealing not only with the crime but with the police. I traced the woman’s aliases myself and informed the police. She had forged my daughter’s name in a five-county area, but the police didn’t follow up in any of the counties, except one. I tried to get the other district attorneys to do something, but all four told me it was not a violent crime, and the stores only wanted their money back.

This type of crime is costing our nation millions of dollars. Not only are stores defrauded, but prices are increased to cover losses, and the consumer suffers, too. Because it doesn’t involve guns or drugs, police aren’t concerned.

I’m now a firm believer in shredding machines. - L.K., Ripley, Okla.

Dear Ripley: You have written an extremely convincing letter. You have also sold a lot of shredding machines. Thank you for making a difference.

Dear Ann Landers: This is for “Truly Perplexed in Lafayette, Ind.,” whose husband likes to run around the house naked since their son moved out. Why not surprise and delight him by serving a special dinner and appearing in the nude yourself? If you wanted to “go formal,” you could wear pearls and earrings. You might have one of most hilarious evenings of your life - and I guarantee you will smile every time you think back on it. - Enjoy Being Silly in Simi Valley, Calif.

Dear Sim: The picture you painted did more than bring a smile. It made me laugh.