My daughter is heartbroken: tears and a search for meaning in life
I’m a mother of two—a son and a daughter. I’ve been a widow for many years now. My husband lived long enough to see his grandchildren born but, sadly, passed before either of our children chose to marry.
In our family, we’ve always respected traditions. We believed that if two people love each other and wish to be together, an official marriage—whether civil or religious—is essential.
Yet my children held different views. Whenever I tried to persuade them to formalise their relationships, they’d only smile and call my beliefs outdated. They insisted their love didn’t need stamps or ceremonies, that a signature on paper wouldn’t change how they felt.
But life, as it often does, proved my fears right in the cruelest way.
One early morning, I heard a knock at the door. There stood my daughter, Emily. In one hand, she clutched a suitcase; in the other, she held her three-year-old daughter’s hand, while a baby slept in the pram beside her. Her eyes were filled with tears.
«Mum, can we stay with you for a while? Daniel’s thrown us out… There’s someone else,» her voice trembled.
I was stunned. How could he do this? Emily had given him two beautiful children! I wanted to march straight over and demand answers. But seeing her distress, I pulled her close, kissed her forehead, and decided not to press the matter then.
Emily had graduated with a teaching degree but never started work. Daniel, her partner, had insisted she stay home:
«I don’t need your money. I want a cosy house to come back to, home-cooked meals, clean shirts. I’ll provide for us.»
I rang Daniel later. I asked about his family, their future. He replied coolly,
«My heart belongs to someone else now. I’ll support the children, but Emily and I are through.»
Since then, he’s sent a small sum each month. My pension barely covers us all. Emily’s sunk into depression, weeping endlessly, unable to see a future.
Now she understands why formalising their relationship mattered. Marriage isn’t just a symbol of love—it’s protection, especially for women.
To all parents: urge your children to value marriage. This «trend» of living together without commitment can lead to heartbreak. Family should be built on tradition and law. Only then can we shield our children and grandchildren from such pain.