Mom Remarrying
My Dad died 2.5 years ago. Now
suddenly (since August) my mom's (68 and married 47 years to my
father) met a man, said it was moving too fast, then said she was
blessed to have in her life, to taking off her wedding band, to saying
someday she'll marry this guy, to saying she loves him, to picking out
a wedding band. All this in less that 8 weeks. I've met
the man and I'm delighted she's met someone as decent as he is (a
widower of 4 years).
The problem isn't even the short time-frame
as much as it's the fact that she hasn't said anything about any of
these major events until after the fact. For example, she let me
call her twice with jeweler info before she told me they'd bought an
engagement ring 4 days earlier. Yet she always said she doesn't
want to hurt us and what's us to be happy for her.
I'm tired of what appears to me as deceit.
At this point I can't even get to a place where I'm happy for her and
I'd like to be. Can someone please enlighten me on what
could possibly be going on in her mind?
It's difficult for us to completely
let go of our parents. We think they need guidance as they get
older. The same thing happens to people all the time. It's
as though we think it's an absolute...caring for our parents.
However, consider the possibility that
she "neglected" to tell you things for one of two
reasons....or both.
First, she may see you as a bit judgmental
about her life and so went ahead and made her plans first so that she
didn't have to listen to what you thought might be good reasons to slow
down.
It's also possible that the gentleman
has a condition which might suggest haste to them both.
Second, you might have been rather
stifling since your father's death. Not your fault, but you likely
have been her rock since. She's gained her strength from
you. That's ok . That's what we do for people we love. But
now, she may begin to be feeling a bit babied and decided to exert her
own independence. Two and a half years is enough time to begin to
feel the desire to be part of a partnership again.
Don't take it as deceit. Wish
her well, visit her and her new husband often (parents don't live
forever) and make sure to hug her often.
She deserves to be happy. She
didn't deceive you as much as she kept her dignity. Let her have
that. Until you had any evidence that this man is going to hurt or
use her, give her your blessing. She doesn't need it but my guess
is she would love to have it.
Wish her well. She has the right
to happiness.
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