THE FEMININE VIEWPOINT

As

for

heartache...

by and about women

Dear Jo:

Hi, darling. Your recent letters got tangled up, so that I received the second one, before I received the first. Anyway, they both make more sense, now. (You're the only person. I know who writes these "continued in our next" letters! Anyway, I'm not complaining. Just keep on writing, please.)

You mentioned Jerry, and how heartbroken she is over the termination of her gay marriage. Yes, she is. I happened to meet her the other day; and she has managed to contort her pleasant features into a mask of sorrow. She even slumps a little now; and, when I saw her, she was

wearing a soiled shirt, open at the neck. (Remember how fastidious she used to be?) I would describe her condition now as a complete mess. And she blames it all on Marge. Her continuous cry is: "Oh, if only Marge hadn't left me!" The reason why Marge did decide to leave her is not clear to me. They seemed to be enjoying an ideal relationship. And, certainly, twelve years is not exactly an overnight romance! They must have shared many beautiful experiences during those years; they must have imagined that they were "part of each other." and the tearing asunder is what has affected Jerry. Because, foolishly, Jerry has thought herself to be part of Marge; and now, she feels that a part of her is missing, a vital part. But is this feeling real love, or is it a maudlin possessiveness; an unhealthy attempt to merge into one, that which cannot, either physically or spiritually be merged. We human beings, with our sense of individuality, have no right to assume such impossible blending; it just can't be done. Many of the things in nature are permitted to merge, physically, completely; and can never again be treated as separate; nor can they be torn asunder! Because they are

one

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