Sunday, July 2, 2017

The Daughter-in-Law

Val* was raised by his widowed mother. With only the pension they received since his father died in the line of duty and his mother’s small income as a laundry woman, Val was able to finish college. His success was more his mother’s than his.
Val has only one brother and no sister, so, his mother was happy when Val finally brought home the girl he intended to marry. The girl appeared to be extremely quiet and unapproachable, but Val’s mother took at is shyness brought about by being new to the family.
Several months after they married, however, Val’s wife showed signs of impoliteness. She tended to answer her husband and her mother-in-law in disrespectful manner. She started throwing things when she gets irritated and mumbling insults directed at her mother-in-law.
Finally, Val’s mother had enough, she approached her daughter-in-law and asked her what her problem was. The girl yelled at her and enumerated the things she disliked about her husband’s mother. It appeared she didn’t like being told how to do things properly, she got offended when her mother-in-law did not drink the coffee she made (which she just left on the table) and she felt bad because her mother-in-law was not talking with her much.
Val’s mother justified her actions. Afterwards, she apologized for offending her daughter-in-law in any way and finally, offered her hand for a new start. The girl snubbed the offered hand, instead, yelled that she would never ever learn to love and respect her mother-in-law.
I felt sorry for Val who happened to be my distant relative. I wish that someday, somehow, things will work out for him..
 *not real name

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