My Daughter’s Despair: Tears and the Search for Meaning
I’m a mother of two—one son and one daughter. I’ve been a widow for many years. My husband was fortunate to see the birth of our grandchildren but, sadly, passed away before our children made their decision to wed.
Our family has always respected traditions. We believed that if two people love each other and wish to be together, a formal marriage—either civil or church—is essential.
However, my children had different views. Each time I tried to persuade them to make their relationship official, they would just chuckle, calling my beliefs old-fashioned. They assured me that their love didn’t need stamps and ceremonies, and that a piece of paper wouldn’t change their feelings.
But, unfortunately, life proved my fears correct in the harshest way.
One early morning, I heard a knock at the door. My daughter, Anna, stood on the doorstep. She held a suitcase in one hand and her three-year-old daughter’s hand in the other, while a baby slept nearby in a stroller. Her eyes were filled with tears.
“Mum, can I stay with you for a bit with the kids? Tom told us to leave… He has someone else…” her voice trembled.
I was stunned. How could he do such a thing? Anna had given him two lovely children! I wanted to rush over to him and demand an explanation. But seeing my daughter’s state, I hugged her, gave her a kiss, and chose not to bring it up at that moment.
Anna had finished her degree in education but never began working. Tom, her partner, insisted she stayed home:
“I don’t need your money. I want to come home to a warm house, have home-cooked meals, and wear clean shirts. I’ll support our family.”
I decided to call Tom. I asked him about the family, about the future. He calmly replied:
“My heart belongs to someone else now. I’ll help with the children, but Anna is my past.”
Since then, he sends us a small amount each month. My pension barely covers us all. Anna is in depression, repeatedly crying and seeing no hope for the future.
Now she realizes how important it was to formalize their relationship. Marriage isn’t just a symbol of love but also a protection, particularly for women.
I appeal to all parents: convince your children of the importance of marriage. This trend of cohabitation without commitment can lead to tragedies. Families should be built on traditions and laws. Only in this way can we protect our children and grandchildren from such hardships.
