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05/20/2014
Hi Dr. Laura,
Despite being very good at choosing great platonic friends, my early dating life was full of mistakes and poor choices in men - typically aloof, self-centered, sometimes cruel "men". Ah-Dad-choo!! One day a great friend gave me a copy of your book, "Ten Stupid Things Women Do to Mess up Their Lives". It almost could have been a biography of my life to that date and an alarm bell went off in my brain.
At the same time, my friend/your groupie, told me about your radio program. At first, frankly, I did not care for you at all! In fact, I downright bristled at some of the advice you gave to all those misguided callers! I think because it cut close to the bone, for me. However, my inner, rational voice also took notice and I thought long and hard about what you were telling us listeners. My personal life was not evolving the way I wished it to be and I strongly suspected it had something to do with my own personal choices and responsibility. I made a conscious decision to literally force myself to date a "nice" man. It was almost as if I couldn't cope with being treated with decency and respect.
Fast forward 15 years - picture that wavy screen like they used to do on old TV shows! - My life has not been what I thought it would be. We could not have children biologically because I have spent several years fighting cancer. Yet, I am very honest when I tell you how absolutely blessed I have been in my life - mainly because I have an amazing, strong, loving man by my side. He sincerely took the "for better and for worse" vows to heart. Every day is a great day with my best friend/lover/better half. I am a lucky, lucky girl. I listen to your callers complain about their partners treating them badly and I feel sorry for them, but I also think lots of people don't want to take responsibility for making their lives good, even when the going isn't tough. God help them when things really go wrong.
My fight with cancer continues. Tomorrow we get news on my latest scans and we already know there is some potentially bad news awaiting us, but we will get through it together. I've made a success of my life despite what some of it looks like on paper health-wise and you were a voice of reason when I was unwilling to be honest with myself. I did the hard work, but you helped nudge me in the right direction. And for that I sincerely thank you.
Warm regards,
Megan
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