A woman who broke free of pain
AND FINALLY
I’M ALWAYS asked if I hear back from readers and the answer is of course: ‘Yes.’
And many touching emails come from people inspired by stories on the page. People who have realised they, too, can change their lives. I file them in a special place — and pluck one out today.
From Cornwall, ET writes: ‘I have wanted to write to you for a while. You see, I am the product of the advice you so freely give — that we are all worth so very much. What you say is sound. Mine is a success story.’
She goes on to tell me about her horribly abusive first marriage: she was a battered wife who was ‘not allowed’ children.
A car accident in the Nineties had left her with spinal injuries, but that didn’t stop her savage ‘husband’ who was careful to strike where it wouldn’t show.
A devout Catholic, E was resistant to divorce, but at last the day came when she finally realised the truth of — yes — her own worth. And broke free.
In emotional need and poor health, she went to church — and her future husband was sitting four pews in front. They married in 2010 and are ‘deliriously happy’.
Too old to have children (E has endured ‘years of hot flushes’) they love their two dogs and a cat, and enjoy nothing better than to stay home and ‘cuddle on the sofa’ — all five of them!
E finishes her lovely story thus: ‘It is so important for people to know they are worth it and they can do it.
‘We have helped a number of personal friends out of violent relationships, and into good, healthy ones, I just wanted you to know what a great job you are doing, too … you suggest such good things.
‘You are so un-biased and have advised same-sex couples with very sound information, which due to my faith, I could not. Please continue.’
I want this kind reader to know that one short sentence especially lifted my heart: ‘Every day we laugh.’
BEL answers readers’ questions on emotional and relationship problems each week. Write to Bel Mooney, Daily Mail, 2 Derry Street, London W8 5TT, or email bel.mooney@dailymail.co.uk. Names are changed to protect identities. Bel reads all letters but regrets she cannot enter into personal correspondence.