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My husband received something very strange in the post ...

999 replies

OnSilverStars · 12/01/2021 11:05

In the post today, my husband received a letter. It was hand written with his name and address on the outside. No return info. The writing in the envelope is definitely a woman's

Inside is a copy of an "essay" I googled it and it's by Robert Louise Stevenson. It called "on Marriage"

The gist of it is that marriage has lots of ups and downs and requires communication

There is nothing else. No name, just a folded print out of this essay.

Any explanation, other than my fear? I have no reason other than this to suspect anything.

YABU - don't jump to conclusions

YANBU - he's cheated.

I'm shaking. This feels so surreal. I hope I'm overreacting. He's currently at work.

Ps. We open each other's post. We think nothing of it - usually. It's always junk or bills

OP posts:
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JokeTheCoalman · 12/01/2021 11:51

Maybe he knew you would open it so he sent it to you

OnSilverStars · 12/01/2021 11:51

@Whythesadface

You got a photocopy of an essay without a title or author through the post today??

We have no links to Tyneside but my husband travels for work everyday, all across the country.

It's just weird JW would send a letter that far without any identifying info on it.

Also, it's not obviously about marriage at first. I'm not overly thick and had to google the meaning

And I don't know of any weddings he's been asked to read at but maybe he was asked revelry and forgot to tell me Confused

OP posts:
apalledandshocked · 12/01/2021 11:51

I also do think its a weird thing for someone having an affair with him to do

Ugzbugz · 12/01/2021 11:52

Dont know the essay but is it nice? Could it be a goft to say your marriage is good?

Londoncatshed · 12/01/2021 11:52

Oh and I presumed mine was from an elderly person but unsure of gender. We all make presumptions and although not always 100% accurate, we are usually right. If you think it’s a woman’s handwriting, it probably is.

OnSilverStars · 12/01/2021 11:52

There is NOTHING about Jesus. The bible. Being saved. Etc.
This is why I really don't think it's religious.

It's also a wonky photo copy from a book half the print is black - The inside of the books cover or something

OP posts:
user1471565182 · 12/01/2021 11:53

Its not weird, apparantly thats their MO. They send them all over the country from a centralised office often using publicly available addresses

MissMarpleDarling · 12/01/2021 11:53

I'd think he's cheated. Or a neighbour thats fed up of hearing you arguing.

Viviennemary · 12/01/2021 11:54

The only conclusion I'd jump to is that he's cheating. Either now or has done in the past.

Londoncatshed · 12/01/2021 11:55

I thought it was all handwritten? That’s what the similarity to the JW letters is.
So it’s a photocopy?

You will just have to ask him and see his reaction. It doesn’t mean he has done something wrong. It may just be some strange person that has sent it.

janaus50s · 12/01/2021 11:55

Don’t text him or phone him. You need to see his reaction. Trust your gut feelings.

CaveMum · 12/01/2021 11:55

It won't be from JWs (my mum is one so I know their MO!). If it was from them it would more likely be quotes from scripture or one of their own numerous publications - they wouldn't use "worldly" source material.

Also, as others have said, they would want you to contact them to "learn more" so there would be details of your local Kingdom Hall included.

NonagonInfinityOpensTheDoor · 12/01/2021 11:55

@loopylou3030

There would be no point the JW sending it without any reference to themselves either on the letter or on the envelope. I presume they send these sort of letters to try and get you interested in their organisation.
My thought too. DP got harassed by some JW when he was off work. The daft twat invited them in and then they wouldn’t stop calling by the house. He looks like Jesus too so maybe they were fascinated by him idk. But all the shite they left had many references to JW websites etc. It’s highly unlikely they would just send one particular passage from their text with no call to action to visit the website, call etc.
MrsWindass · 12/01/2021 11:56

It's not a weird thing at all for an affair partner to do . It's to bust him . Maybe he has been having an affair /is /has broken up with her recently . Someone is setting the cat amongst the pigeons , sorry .

YoniAndGuy · 12/01/2021 11:58

Oh FGS it isn't JW is it because nowhere does it mention JW!

Yes of course they send that kind of stuff around but the intention is to sign people up so they say it's them, and give contact details. Everyone that has had similar from JW knew it was from them because it said so.

Yes I'd also probably think the worst while hoping for the best, because honestly I can't really think of another good explanation for something like that than someone being pissed off with him/wanting to scare him/wanting to get his attention. About the concept of 'working on your marriage'. Right.

If it were me I'd be doing some digging while he was completely unaware, before I mentioned the letter. I really would. Like I said - hope for the best. But don't be a fool.

YouBringLightInToADarkPlace · 12/01/2021 11:58

I'm sorry everyone is jumping on you OP. I don't know what the explanation is but I hope it's innocent. Good luck.

Jobsharenightmare · 12/01/2021 11:59

I'm really sorry you haven't had more compassionate replies OP. To be honest the simplest explanation is usually correct. I see women tying themselves up it knots to explain away strange occurrences based on the rare exceptions where they are true.

Personally I have never heard of hand mailed written letters from JW. Have you asked your neighbours casually if they received anything similar about life during Covid etc? If they haven't, then someone is stirring the pot.

We also open each others post here because we (as far as I know) have no secrets and are both happy with this.

YoniAndGuy · 12/01/2021 11:59

@user1471565182

Its not weird, apparantly thats their MO. They send them all over the country from a centralised office often using publicly available addresses
Their MO is not to photocopy cryptic passages with no mention of the Bible at all and no providing you with their local contact details/services etc. it's not JW.
WishICouldGoOut · 12/01/2021 11:59

OP try to distract yourself with other things today and keep your cool when you speak to him. His reaction will tell you what you need to know. Good luck.

Onjnmoeiejducwoapy · 12/01/2021 12:00

Do you have any family who might be in the area where it was sent from? If not I would contact the JW/similar religious people in that area ASAP to rule them out before he gets home.

Can you think of anyone a bit older or dramatic in your circle who might know of his comings and goings? I doubt it was anyone young.

SciFiScream · 12/01/2021 12:02

No one can tell my DH's writing apart from mine and vice versa obviously.

I can see you are irritated by people questioning this assumption but it's actually a valid thing to say.

It also means that you might need to think a bit harder about who could have sent it.

Is it definitely hand written? There are many ways of making printed words look hand written.

How long is it? Would someone really have gone to effort of hand writing it out?

YoniAndGuy · 12/01/2021 12:02

I would 100% be trying to get a look at his phone before I told him about the letter, for a start. Are you able to do that OP?

babbaloushka · 12/01/2021 12:02

We had JW down our road and when my mum was ill (ambulances every few weeks), they delivered several scripts on the passage to heaven, trials and suffering, evil and satan etc. It was very disturbing and uncalled for, was clearly deliberate as they knew someone was unwell. If its not a religious passage though, does that make it likely to be JW?

thosetalesofunexpected · 12/01/2021 12:03

Hi Op
Are you or your husband,your family?or relatives on both sides involved with a church in anyway?
or has your husband confessed to someone he knows is religious minded and friendly that there are struggles/challenges going on in your marriage in some way,

And this person who you thinks female has taken it upon themselves to be helpful in this way.😕

CandleWick4 · 12/01/2021 12:03

OP could you upload a pic of it so we can have a look? Might be easier for people to identify if we could see it. Hope you’re ok.

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