‘Silent life’ is really scary

Wed, July 11, 2012 - 12:00 AM

Dear Christine,

I have studied with unusually deep interest the recent cry for help submitted by MRS.

My heart goes out to her with really deep concern. This also may be one of your toughest replies – a masterpiece in itself. You certainly did yeoman duty in suggesting a number of positive moves.

However, I wasn’t that far into the column before my interest turned into a deeper and more serious concern than simply living with a non-communicative husband.

I do agree with you – that this dear woman cannot continue indefinitely (or healthily) in such a relationship.

Also, I would have liked to hear more about the husband’s relationship with and treatment of the three children. I’ll step out and dare to question whether the husband unwittingly could be poisoning the whole family.

I have never particularly been an alarmist where strange people are concerned. Yet, in the case of this man, his wife and children, I’m hearing all sorts of alarm bells going off; maybe not today or tomorrow, but very possibly somewhere in the future.

I am struck with what one might describe as the enormous “silent life” (hopes, wishes, resentments, and so on) that may be building up in him. I also wondered if he had some undiagnosed mental problem.

If truth be told, the first word out of my mouth when I put the paper down was “scary”.

Then again, because of the caring, compassionate, obvious perceptive person you so clearly are, maybe you’ve had similar vibes to those that struck me that morning and sent her more explicit advice about counselling.

Keep up your contribution to this very needy island. I’m just old (and old fashioned enough) to marvel that too many of us seem to walk away from the Scriptures.

– Ann

Dear Ann,

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I do appreciate them and appreciate you for taking time to write. You can share your views anytime.

– CHRISTINE