Well, it comforts ME anyway. My parents loved and adored each other, and I am so VERY glad that I happen to know that this was so. Of course, I KNEW that, but I have to tell you that my particular “ahHAH” moment occurred when my parents were in their early seventies. Yes, their early SEVENTIES. (I was a "late-in-life baby…an OOPS child, if you will.)
So anyway, one day I knocked on the door, which wasn’t answered, so I assumed the parental units weren’t home. I therefore used my key and walked into my ancestral home. (Sorry, I have been infected by Jester’s very amusing thread.) Anyway, my parent’s bedroom door was closed, which is a thing I didn’t remember ever having seen happen before. This was confusing, so knocked on the door (having been taught to do so as a child, hmmmm) and my mom said…“who is it?” I said Cheri, is anything wrong? Upon which my mom said “No, but it isn’t the best time. Could you please go away? Unless you are having a problem, in which case we will be right out.” Ummmmm…no, mom, I just stopped by to say hello. “Well, hello and we will visit some other time. If you want to come back in an hour or so…?”
I admit this confused me, but I obediently left and came back in an hour. When I got there, mom was sitting in the kitchen with a cup of tea, and dad was nowhere in sight…but I could hear the shower running.
I admit I am a dummy. I admit I was oblivious to the fact that my parents were still in love. I admit that I said…“Mom, is everything okay?” Mom said…“Everything is just FINE, honey…Darling, you have to realize that your dad and I…LOVE each other.” Well, mom, I KNOW that…what is the point? “Cheri, you are NO LONGER A CHILD…do I have to draw you a PICTURE?”
Oh. OH!!!
Of course, my inward response was “YUCK!” I retained enough brains to not SAY that. And besides which, mom was sitting there with this …LOOK… on her face that said it wouldn’t MATTER to her if I said “YUCK”, so I just said hello, gave her a hug and noted the fact that she was WEARING HER BATHROBE!!!
I went on my way, still bemused.
And you know, now that mom is gone, I am grateful for that memory. My parents were married for 58 years. I am so happy that they were physically loving to each other right up until my mom got ill. It gives me peace. Well, they were STILL physically loving AFTER she got ill, but I assume not in the same way. Not that I would know.
NOT that I don’t understand where you are coming from, because I DO. Just…someday it might comfort you as it does me. That’s all.
My love,
Cheri
PS…Toddly, I am so sorry. I hope life allows you the love your parents didn’t find.