I Left My Husband and Don't Feel Guilty!

Dear Gwendolyn:

Six months ago I left my husband after 23 years. Now his friends are calling me reminding me that I took vows for better or for worse. Today I started crying when one of his friends called to check on me. Before the conversation ended, I felt miserable.

Gwendolyn, my marriage was bad from the beginning. I tried year after year to make it work. Each year he became more hostile and cruel to me. I am so happy and looking forward to getting a divorce. Gwendolyn, why do people try to make me feel like I should have stayed?

Helen

Dear Helen:

Let me tell you this: No woman should have to waste her life away trying to make a marriage work. Men should try to hold and cherish the woman and not always the woman trying to win over the man. That is bull. Two people stand and take those vows – you didn’t stand alone. People have the wrong idea about marriage and many of them are miserable but stay. Why? Mainly because they have convinced themselves two can live cheaper than one. So, are they miserable? Yes, they are. And they will drop their business to meddle into yours.

Helen, I want you to forget all the bad years you have experienced. It is a new day for you. Think about it. Happiness doesn’t come often and when it does, sometimes it doesn’t stay very long. Hang in there girl and --- enjoy the joy.

She's made it to the top after I did her homework!

Dear Gwendolyn:
While in high school I was a near genius.  I made all A’s in every class even calculus.  One day when leaving school, I started a conversation with a girl who was in one of my classes.  She was rather shy in class, but that afternoon she was rather flirty with me.  I must admit.  I was surprised.
Later I realized she had befriended me because she wanted me to do her homework.  Yes, do it – not tutor her in doing it.  As soon as we graduated, she left for a college in California.  Somehow, her grade point average improved to the point where she received most of the best scholarships.  I only received scholarships that were half her awards.  All this happened 35 years ago.  I recently found out that she became a lawyer with her own top law firm.
 Gwendolyn,  I have had a rough life and basically she earned those scholarships because I did her homework.  I even held up my exam paper so she could copy my answers.  I have been thinking about writing to her and ask her for some money.  Should I?

Benjamin

Dear Benjamin:
 This is serious.  However, if you call her, don’t be shocked if she does not have sympathy for you.  In fact, she may even pretend not to remember you.  It is terrible how some people set out to misuse anyone just as long as they can climb the ladder that leads to success.  I will not encourage you not to call.  Be guided by your own mind.
Benjamin, you were in the wrong to do her homework and you were in the wrong to allow her to copy your answers from your exam papers.  Let me tell you this:  Once upon a time people would feel sorry and give freely from their heart to a person in need.  And in all actuality, she owes you, but don’t count the money until you have it in your hands.  Think about it.  People these days don’t seem to buy into --- a sad story. Tell the Times Weekly what you think Benjamin should do.