A Letter to Therese

  Dear Therese Carter,

When I read about you I felt sad. I know you probably love your husband and children very much but you seem to want so much more. You got caught up into being a wife and being a mother because society told you that’s what you were supposed to do. I don’t think of you as unhappy but, rather unfulfilled. I know you feel like if only the world could see you for more than just a happy housewife. They always say, “ Just grin and bare it.” You’re sick of putting on a happy face and pretending everything is all right. It’s clearly not all right with everything going on in your world. I can see that you are well read and have a desire to expand your horizons. You should do that before it’s too late. I know your neighbors will think you are crazy, but who cares. I think the first step for you, is to stop caring what everyone else thinks. I know there’s an eccentric intellectual in there somewhere. Your situation kind of reminds me of the movie “ Revolutionary Road”. I think if you watch it, you will see the similarities to your own life.

I love the fact that you like to read a lot about what’s happening in the world. It’s great that you try to get all sides of the story. I try to do that as well but, like you, the more I read, the more confused I get. I always find myself going back and fourth on issues. I agree with you about the fact that most people will shoot off at the mouth without being educated on a topic. With so much information out there now, it is hard to pick out the reliable sources.

I want you to know that times have not changed that much. Our country is yet again involved in a controversial war. Civil rights is still a sore spot among many groups of people, and the news papers still have two million problems on the first two pages. On top of all that, the world economy has fallen to pieces. Just be glad that you live in a somewhat good financial era.

Going back to school is such a good idea. What if something were to happen to your husband? How would you survive? What if he lost his job? You need to have a plan for you and your family. Getting an education would make you feel more complete, and provide a security blanket for your loved ones.

You know what I think you should do? I think should just take off for a few days and do something that you really want to do. It feels good to give yourself little gifts. You could read books, go to Europe, sit in silence, hang-glide or whatever. I think it’s just what you need to help you break free of your humdrum existence. Once you see how good it feels you might be open to actually following your own dreams.

Think about how satisfying that would be!

Sincerely,

Eve Sloan