Discussion»Statements»Rosie's Corner» Were your parents good role models for what a good marriage should be? Are/were you a good role model for your kids?
In my opinion, my parents were the perfect role models for what a good marriage should be. For 54 years they were devoted solely to each other.
My parents were strong Christians who made it a habit to put their spouse and children before themselves. For them it was always God before all, then children, then spouse, then others. Self was always last. They would always lend a helping hand to anyone who needed it, no matter what. They never hid things from each other. Everything as always out in the open. Like all couples, they had their occasional disagreements. Mom would storm off to the bathroom and dad went to the garage. However, no matter what they may have disagreed on, they refused to go to bed angry. They never belittled or lied to each other (or their kids). My dad never hit my mom (nor she him)... and believe me, we would have known if either of them did. They refused to drink any alcohol whatsoever, so they were never dissipated. My parents were always there for eachother. There was no "me time", it was always "us time". They were never demanding to each other; each always give up what they wanted for the other. In other words, there was no "I" in their marriage, just a steady "we". My parents made sure to kiss each other every night before going to bed - even on camping trips, and they always said "I love you" to each other at least once a day. If either of them was away from the other (wortk, visiting, etc.) they made sure to call each other to make sure they got in that "I love you". Even on my dad's last day on earth, when he was in the ICU, drugged up on pain and cancer medication and barely conscious, he still managed to speak those words (that was the last time I saw him alive). Those 3 words may also have been his last, although I don't know for sure as I wasn't with them when he died.
Condolences for your loss m'dear. Thank you for sharing this most special intimate part of your life with us. No wonder you are the person you are. Jim and I never go to sleep angry. Every morning I say "Happy (whatever day it is) and did I tell you I love you?" We hold hands a lot when we're out. We haven't been together 54 years. We met late in life. I was 60 he was 62. Sometimes the best is saved for last. Sometimes love dies. Sometimes lust is mistaken for love and wears off. Sometimes people change and go in different directions. Sometimes people are rotten and don't care whom they hurt as long as they do what they want to do. It takes all kinds. I'm very happy that the kind of parents you were blessed with is the ideal. I cannot fathom why anyone would disagree with that assessment. Some will of course because the lives they live is so far away from the life your parents lived! You have precious memories no one can ever take away. You are indeed blessed Shuhak! :)
Shuhak 