Stronger Words Were Called For
Dear Ann Landers: Your response to the neighbor of the woman who left her two children (7 months and 2 years old) home alone and asleep while she went out for 20 or 30 minutes was inadequate to say the least. You suggested that she “speak to this woman.” That wasn’t strong enough. That mother needs to be told what could happen in those 20 or 30 minutes when she is away.
The children could wake up and go outside looking for Mommy. Or they could stay indoors and entertain themselves by playing with the stove, or trying to take a bath, and drown. Or they could choke to death or electrocute themselves. If there were a fire, they would be helpless.
The lives of those young ones could depend on whether or not that neighbor speaks up. I wish you had emphasized the importance of telling that mother the risks she was taking. - Another Mother in Lake Elsinore, Calif.
Dear El.: Thanks for putting a little meat on the bones of my lean response. You made some excellent points. I hope that mother sees your letter.
Dear Ann Landers: Shortly after my divorce six years ago, I began dating a newly divorced woman I had met several months earlier. Our relationship started when she phoned and invited me to a dance. She said I was the only man she had dated since her divorce.
We lived 40 miles apart, and since we both had teenagers at home, we saw each other only on weekends. My visits were always at her invitation, and she usually initiated our telephone conversations. We socialized primarily in her town.
That woman read me like a book and played me like a banjo. Within a year, Cupid’s arrow had found its mark. Her words, cards and behavior led me to believe that she felt the same way about me, but we agreed marriage was not practical until the kids were out of the house.
Several weeks ago, when I proposed to her, there was a sudden change of attitude. Imagine my shock when I discovered she had three affairs going on right under my nose.
I feel like a fool and am anxiously awaiting my AIDS test. No city please, just Jack Without Jill
Dear Jack: You dated the woman for six years and were not aware that you were one of a quartet? You sound like a pretty dim bulb to me.
I hope this unfortunate experience will have taught you something. If so, it will not have been a total loss.
Dear Ann Landers: Yesterday, my life was ruined. I went to the doctor, and he confirmed what I already suspected. I have herpes.
I am 31 and have a college degree and a good job. For me, sex was a game. If it was human and male and had a pulse, I went for it. That foolishness ruined my marriage, and now it is ruining my life.
Tell your readers to use caution when deciding to have sex. Insist that the man wear a condom. I don’t know yet if I have something worse than herpes, but that’s bad enough. - Lived for the Moment, Paying for It in Hell
Dear Paying: Your life is not ruined. The disease you have can be managed to the point where it will be only an inconvenience. You need to be educated. Please send $1 to American Social Health Association, Herpes Resource Center, P.O. Box 13827, Dept. AL, Research Triangle Park, N.C. 27709.
Gem of the Day: If you have occasion to criticize a mule, do it to his face.