Angela Morris

My Dear John

Take the blame for choosing

such a cowardly way of ending

the relationship; lacking courage,

but believe that there is no benefit

in continuing to see each other.

State that you are sorry for the

grief this letter will cause,

but that your decision is final.

Try to remove as much pain

and self-blame as you can. Thank

them for the kindness, the good times,

Mention some of their better qualities:

their self-assurance, their sense of humor,

Express confidence that there will be

some lucky individual they deserve.

Tie up any loose ends. Return the

library books. You won't be able to

lend your canoe, you have changed to

another dentist, so not to visit the

uncle every six months. Try to remove

every possible link between the two

of you, so there will be few occasions

when you just happen to "run into" each other.

Assure them that you will not be:

talking to mutual friends behind

their back. The story you intend

to tell is that you parted by mutual

agreement and that you are still friends.

You simply decided you weren't right

for each other and have both decided

to move on; no accusations, no regrets.

Wish them good luck,

all the best for the future

and hope that every dream

comes true. Sign the letter.