My Daughter in Distress: Tears and a Quest for Meaning
I am a mother of two, a son and a daughter. I’ve been a widow for many years. My husband lived to see the birth of our grandchildren, but sadly, he passed away before our children decided to tie the knot officially.
In our household, traditions were always respected. We believed that if two people love each other and want to be together, then getting married—whether in a civil ceremony or a church—is essential.
However, my children held different views. Each time I tried to convince them to make their relationship official, they only chuckled, labeling my beliefs as outdated. They assured me that their love didn’t require stamps or ceremonies, and that a piece of paper wouldn’t change their feelings.
Unfortunately, life validated my concerns in the harshest way.
Early one morning, I heard a knock at the door. My daughter, Emma, stood there. She had a suitcase in one hand, held her three-year-old daughter with the other, and had a sleeping infant in a stroller. Her eyes were filled with tears.
“Mom, can I stay with you for a day or two with the children? Tom has thrown us out… He has someone else…” her voice trembled.
I was shocked. How could he do such a thing? After all, Emma had given him two lovely children! I wanted to confront him immediately and demand an explanation. But seeing my daughter’s state, I hugged her, kissed her, and decided not to bring it up just then.
Emma graduated from teaching college but never began her career. Tom, her partner, insisted she stay at home:
“I don’t need your money. I want to come home to a cozy house, eat home-cooked meals, and wear clean clothes. I’ll provide for our family myself.”
I decided to call Tom. I asked him about the family and their future. He calmly answered:
“My heart belongs to someone else now. I will support the children, but Emma is part of my past.”
Since then, he sends us a modest amount each month. My pension barely covers all of us. Emma is in a dire state, constantly crying and seeking a purpose for the future.
Now she understands the importance of making relationships official. Marriage is not just a symbol of love but a form of protection, especially for women.
I urge all parents: convince your children of the importance of marriage. This trend of living together without commitments can lead to disasters. Family should be based on traditions and legalities. Only this way can we protect our children and grandchildren from such troubles.
