Sorting out problems

My home spun adolescent philosophy and approach to life largely came from my family but also my favourite magazine Jackie. I loved reading the problem page by Cathy and Claire. The advice they gave seemed to be always kind and caring and sensible.They dealt with questions that  might have seemed embarassing to be spoken aloud. The people that are in charge of a Problem Page are known as Agony aunts and apart from Cathy and Claire there are others that became household names in Britain- Among others I remember Marjorie Proops and Virginia Ironside. When I could understand enough Italian to read magazines in Italy I went straight to the Problem Page. Interestingly the advice given did not often correspond to that in Britain. One thing they did have in common was that most of the problems concerned relationships. Oh there is so much heartache in the world. How people hurt each other and cause pain must surely still amaze these Agony Aunts. How difficult it is for everybody to have good relationships yet it is so important. Dear old Shakespeare had this advice to give heartbroken girls.

Song from Much Ado About Nothing

Sigh no more, ladies, sigh no more,

Men were deceivers ever;

One foot in sea, and one on shore,

To one thing constant never.

Then sigh not so,

But let them go,

And be you blithe and bonny,

Converting all your sounds of woe

Into Hey nonny, nonny.

Sing no more ditties, sing no more

Of dumps so dull and heavy;

The fraud of men was ever so,

Since summer first was leavy

Then sigh not so,

But let them go,

And be you blithe and bonny,

Converting all your sounds of woe

Into Hey nonny, nonny!