The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-06-29

Valuable.
To attempt to answer the man
who wrote the following letter to
his own satisfaction. would be al
most impossible. for his unhappi-
ness win not be quickly set aside.
However. he can TRY to do better
the next time and that is all we
can do in this life after we have
made mistakes. To NOPE and
whine and cry because we feel bad
on account Of our frailties u an
admission that we enjoy our emo
tionai sprees Just ~ much as we
enjoyed making our mistakes. 1t
was fun while II lasted although
the aftermath did lend a sour note.
We can't live our lives over. but
we can profit by our mistakes.
There may not be great consola-
ton in this thought while we are
deep in the misery Of what might
have been. but 1t happens to be
truth and a very practical one.
And I imagine the lost wife Of
the man who wrote the following
letter would be one of the first to
assure him Of this fact, IL she were
here to do 70.
His letter.
Dear Miss Grey: This letter win
sound like plea for sympathy but
want advice, too.
-Four months ago I lost my wife
and my life has been 4 living
nightmare since. can't forget
her eyes and the hurt in them that
persisted until just before she died.
Why my cruelty persisted until
the last, don't know. Even when
abe was taken III and lay on her
death bed, ! insisted to friends that
she was just pretending and when
these friends proved ! was wrong.
was 20 embarrassed I accused
my wife Of hiring her friends to
lie for her. The next night she
died and ! have not had one mo-
ment's peace since. For weeks
have gone through torture and
think ! am losing my mind. I
can't work. or eat or sleep--my
work is slipping and nothing seems
10 matter.
I don't know what to do. All
I want IL another chance but /
know II Ia too late. ! destroyed
my happiness when had It in my
power to either make or break II.
have a 15-year-old daughter
and 1t seems to me that even she
looks at me with accusing eyes as
much a. to say that killed her
mother. I can't stand 1t. I have
always been good provider but
always managed to let my wife
know that / was the big boss Of
the house. I always had enough
for myself but l know now that
my selfishness prevented her from
having all the things q woman
loves to have now and then. A
complete outfit, for instance. II
men only knew how much things
like this mean to a woman they
would not have to live with regret
torturing them when their loved
ones have gone
Miss Grey. my wife had her
faults, too. but she was the first
to admit them. In fact she hated
her shortcomings as much as did,
but when l threw them up TO her
and took cruel thrusts at her fam
fly. could see how deeply had
hurt her and I would Eloat over
my cheap satisfaction.
When. In indignation. she flared
up. sat back and chuckled, for
thought her indignation was an
admission Of guilt. She worked
faithfully in our home and gave
her no praise. There were 80 many
things she wanted but did not get
"A flower garden. a pretty lawn
these and other things she wanted
she did not get because she got
no support from me.
Il there any forgiveness for such
q I. Miss Grey! I have talked to
ministers-I have resorted to drink
II have done everything but I
can't forget my wife and the
wrong I did to her.
Do you talk to people, personal
iy, Miss Grey?
Where can get help
DESPERATE.
realize 1t sounds banal to
say to you. I'm sorry" but for
the life Of me / can't think Of
much else to say because I am
truly 10 deeply sorry for you.
In this work have learned that
nothing tortures q human being