June 14th
Margaret is sixty now. Shes got two grown children, and for years shes shared a modest two-bedroom flat with her husband, though calling it sharing might be a bit generous. Truth is, shes been tolerating him for ages. Hes a difficult manself-absorbed, arrogant, and utterly lacking in warmth. Everything at home must revolve around him, his way or not at all. Its no wonder Margarets stuck it out for so long, mostly to keep the peace for the sake of the kids.
Our daughter, Emily, has been married for twelve years. She and her husband, Andrew, managed to secure a mortgage for their flat, and thank goodness theyve been able to make the repayments. Every bit of extra cash they have goes straight towards paying it off.
Both of them work full-time, just about managing to stay on top of the mortgage, dress their kids smartly, and give them a decent upbringing. Emilys brother, Thomas, well, his lifes panned out a bit more comfortably. He owns several flats in town and even a house out in the country.
The other day, Thomas rang his sister with some big news. Mum and Dad are getting divorced, he said. Mums idea. The flats already sold, and theyve split the money between them. I told Dad Id look after him, and promised youd do the same for Mum.
Emily was stunned. Wheres she meant to live? she asked, flustered. You know were crammed as it istwo bedrooms, two kids. Wheres Mum supposed to sleep?
Thomas replied bluntly, Is that my problem? Youre not going to abandon your own mother, are you?
Emily sighed, Andrews not going to be thrilled about this either.
Thats your business, Thomas said, then hung up.
Thomas had already set aside one of his little one-bedroom flats for their dad, so he didnt have any conflicts to sort out. Emily, on the other hand, decided her only option was to apply for another mortgage in order to get a place for Mum. To her surprise, the bank approved the request. The new flat was registered in Emily’s name, and they used what Mum got from the sale towards the deposit. But now Emily has to work even harder to keep up with the monthly payments.
Andrew, understandably, still cant quite reconcile with his wifes decision. He sometimes sulks around the house, grumbling that people their age shouldnt be divorcing. After all, its the children who are left to deal with all the fallout. Its just not right, he says.
Reflecting on it all, I realise no matter how old we get, family complications never really go away. Doing the right thing for those we love isnt always easy, but it is what defines us. Ive learnt that sometimes you have to shoulder the extra weight for the sake of those who once carried you.
