They told her directly to her face: We don’t want a daughter-in-law like her!
I’m 57, never married and without children, but I want to offer advice to all parents: Don’t interfere in your children’s lives or force them to live by your rules, because what makes you happy might not make them happy.
I am living proof of how, in their attempt to secure the best for me, my parents drove away the woman I loved more than myself.
Mary was from a poor family, while my parents had inherited farmland and property and were quite proud of it.
When I brought her home to meet them, they outright dismissed her, saying they wouldn’t accept a daughter-in-law of her standing. She left, insulted but with her head held high.
She refused to run away somewhere far away with me.
She said that sooner or later, my family would do everything they could to break us apart.
She married a neighbor of hers – he had nothing either.
However, they worked hard and built a house on the outskirts of the town.
They had three children, and each time I saw her on the street, she was always smiling and seemed happy.
Once, I asked her if she loved her husband.
Mary was from a poor background.
She replied that she had realized that for a family, stability and understanding between the spouses are most important. Without these, you can’t live on love alone.
I didn’t agree with her, but I couldn’t argue; I had no right because I felt like a traitor.
I couldn’t get over Mary, and unlike her, I never married.
I couldn’t imagine living with a woman and having children without loving her.
My parents tried to set me up with women they liked and thought were suitable for me, but I flatly refused.
Eventually, they gave up and began urging me to choose a woman to my liking, to continue our family line.
But I wanted no one other than Mary. She had long since arranged her life, and I had no place in it.
My parents grew old, fell ill, and passed away one by one.
I was left alone in our large three-story house.
I meet friends less and less because they are now looking after grandchildren and don’t have time for me. Besides, I try to avoid them.
I am happy for their joy, but it also pains me.
On weekends, I fill my time by painting and repairing the climbing frames, swings, and slides in the children’s parks in our town.
Sometimes, I also help with the gardens at the nurseries.
I do this entirely voluntarily and for free because I don’t need the money. This way, I bring happiness to other people’s children and grandchildren.
I sold all the land and properties from my parents.
With the proceeds, I made donations to several schools and homes for abandoned kids.
A friend asked why I don’t give money to a care home. But I don’t want to.
Harsh as it may sound, this is my way of getting back at my parents, because of them, I am alone.
And after all, the future belongs to the children, doesn’t it?
The young ones need more care and a good start in life.
When I die, my house will become the property of the school I attended.
If they want to use it for something, they can; if not, they can sell it.
The important thing is for it to go to a good cause!
