This letter is from the Other Man and I am addressing my remarks to the husband of the
woman I love.
The relationship I enjoy with your wife is the most precious thing in my life. She is a gem.
But somehow you never noticed.
How long did you think you could ignore her before she felt an emptiness in her life and a need to do something about it?
You claim to be a "family man," but everything else comes first - business is at the top of your list. How you love to travel to meetings and conferences. Then there's golf and hunting with the boys (good for business).
She is the one who cooks dinners for your relatives and chauffeurs the kids to all their activities, takes them to the emergency room in the middle of the night and listens to them when they have problems. You are never around during a crisis. Your timing is perfect.
The real trouble started when you couldn't find time to listen when she wanted to tell you how unhappy she was. It was then that she came to me - a nervous wreek with nobody to talk to. Our friendship began because I listened. Within six months, we were in love. I would mar ry her in a minute, but she says she just couldn't do that to her family. It would be too disruptive, too painful for too many people. So, we keep stealing golden moments, and I am grateful for every one.
I showed her this letter, and she said, "Mail it if you want to. He'll never recognize himself. He thinks he's perfect." So, here it is. Meanwhile, I hope you never wake up, you idiot.
...HALF A LOAF IN GREENWICH
Sometimes you feel lonely and unloved in a marriage even after 23 years. You feel as if there's got to be more to life, so you set out to find someone who can make you blissfully happy.
You believe you have found that someone and decide he is exactly what you want. So you pack up and say goodbye to your 23-year marriage and all the friends you made when you were part of a couple. You give your children the option of coming with you or staying with their father.
You live the glorious life for a few years and then a light bulb goes on in your empty head. You realize that you have exactly the life you had before - the only difference is that you've lost your friends, your children's respect and the best friend you loved and shared everything with for 23 years. And you miss him. Unfortunately, it’s too late - there’s no going back.
You realize that love doesn't just happen; it must be nurtured through the years. You cannot undo what has been done, so you settle for a lonely and loveless life with emptiness in your heart.
Please print my letter so others won't give up something that is truly precious - and let them know that they won't know how precious it is until they have thrown it away.
...Anonymous
You fell in love with my wife, which is ok with me. I can understand how it happened because 29 years ago I fell in love with her, too. Here are a few things you ought to know if your intentions are serious:
That smile of hers that you think is so wonderful cost me $3,000 plus $75 every two months for maintenance. The upkeep on her hair is $300 a month. If she wants to change the color, add another $75. I'm sure you enjoy dancing with her, but be prepared for bills from her chiropractor ($35 a visit, twice a month) and her podiairist costs about the same.
She's a great little dresser, isn't she? Well, the bills from the shops run about $1,500 a month. This doesn't include shoes. (She and Imeda Marcos have a lot in common.)
She complained because I was never horne, and she had a right to. But I was working two jobs six days a week to keep her in the style to which she had become accustomed. I'm not bitter, although I did get used to her after 29 years. Actually, I owe you a ot. When she dumped me, I quit my second job, and life is a lot easier.
One more thing: About that trip you two took to watch the whales off Martha's Vineyard - I wrote the credit card company and told them I'm not paying for it because I wasn't there.
COLOR ME GONE IN HACKENSACK