OPEN LETTER TO WAR BRIDES

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21176, 27 July 1940, Page 16 (Supplement)

OPEN LETTER TO WAR BRIDES

May You Have joy And Luck (By M. Meredith) is an open letter to all you “war brides” by which is meant, women who are married to men serving overseas, or who have joined the forces, and to you I wish the best of joy and luck, because you deserve it. You had the pluck to marry at a time like this, and I know you’ll make a success of it. There’s work for your man to do in this troubled world, but he needs a wife to keep him sane, to give him rest and courage and strength and laughter. As a sweetheart your scope was so limited. As a wife it is boundless. You’ve laid foundations on which you can build something solid and lovely. You’ve given him something real to hold on to as surely as if you had taken his hand and never let go. There’s a lot you can do while he’s away. Doubtless he has told you how attractive you are, and you, being a wise girl, will probably spend a lot of time keeping yourself in trim. “Beauty evenings” and hours spent in freshening up your wardrobe will give you back a lot of that self-confidence which is so hard to find when you’ve just said “Good-bye.” But that will be all to the good. And the best way of keeping up the good work is to follow this with regular care. Work out a dress-and-beauty schedule that will only take a few minutes each day, but which will ensure your faultless appearance always. You might even learn dressmaking. It’s very handy to be able to make your own of course, he’ll think you’re wonderful! Take Up Some Hobbies What were you like before marriage ? That’s how he fell in love with you, so don’t alter too much. Probably you had lots of interests and even more friends. Don’t do without them now. All work and no play makes Jill a dull girl, so don’t spend so much time preparing for the future that you forget to enjoy the present. Then you might well consider what hobbies you will take up. Learn to do all the things you promised yourself you would do “one day.” Rub up your talents so that you can surprise him. You played the piano well once, didn’t you ? or he fell in love with your voice. Keep all this up; every added talent helps you to be an accomplished, charming wife. On the more serious side is cooking. See if you can become an expert. Practise his favourite dishes and serve them when he comes home. If you don’t know what they are, his mother will be delighted to tell you. Cultivate Your “In-Laws” By the way, how do you get on with the In-Laws ? If you are not really used to them yet, make a point of getting to know them properly now. How lovely it would be for your brand-new husband to come home and find that you were already a much loved “one of the family.” And if by any unlucky chance you feel you don’t quite like them, do try to overcome that feeling at once. It strains a man’s loyalty when he has to divide it between his mother and his wife. Remember, above all, that they love him as much as you do, and don’t monopolise all his time when he does come home on leave. Couldn’t they go with you to meet him ? You wouldn’t be sacrificing much, for there’s little privacy on a station at the best of times—and I’ve a feeling you’d rise a lot in their estimation if you asked them to come along too. What can you do towards your new home ? First of all, you’ll save hard. The Government will be very pleased about that, and so will you when you start your shopping later on. In the meantime, I expect you will start a sort of Bottom Drawer, too, won’t you ? This time not for you, but for the house. Keep your eyes open and notice other people’s experiences with gadgets, materials, fires and furniture, and benefit by them. Make a note of addresses and recipes and household hints. Pay attention to room-planning and colour schemes, and always be ready to learn. When the time comes for you to run a home, he’ll be proud to think you’re so capable. Write Him' of All the “Little Things” The best way of keeping in touch with your absent husband is never to get out of touch, if you know what I mean. Include him in all of your thoughts and plans, so that, though he can’t actually be with you. your letters bridge the gap. You won’t need me to tell you what to say in those letters. But may I remind you that it’s the funny little touches which give him a breath of home. Tell him what’s new in the garden, how the birds have v at last condescended to bathe in the bird-bath, and tell him the latest family jokes. Remind him of the memories you share, and talk of your plans for the future. If yon cry yourself to sleep every night, it will scarcely cheer him to hear it—but he'd like to know of your new hair-style, and the exotic bath scent you are using; and he’ll smile if you describe your antics as a handy-man ! If you ve a job to do each day. you’ll have your work cut out to fit in your apprenticeship for marriage as well, but at least the full life will keep you from getting lonely. If you are living at home, though, you may find that, in spite of all your splendid plans, time drags a bit now and then. The solution is to take up something else—and what could be better than a little voluntary war work ? And, having undertaken to do the work, for goodness’ sake don’t let them down. If you are not sure of vour plans offer only temporary assistance, then you’ll have nothing to regret.