Divorce or Not, I have a touching story to share with you.
One fine day, an old couple around the age of 70, walked into a
lawyer's
office. Apparently, they were there to file a divorce.
The lawyer was very puzzled and after having a chat with them, he
finally
got their story... This couple had been quarrelling in all their 40
over
years of marriage. Nothing ever seemed to be right. They held onto
their
marriage for the sake of their children, afraid that it might
affect their
up-bringing. Now that all their children have already grown up and
have
their own family, there was nothing else the old couple has to
worry
about. All they wanted is to lead their own life free from all
these years
of unhappiness from their marriage, so both of them agreed on a
divorce.
The lawyer had a hard time trying to get their papers done, as he
could
not understand why at the ripe age of 70 the old couple would still
insist
on a divorce after 40 years of marriage.
While they were signing the papers, the wife told the husband, "I
really
love you, but I really can't carry on anymore. I'm sorry."
"I'm fine with it, I understand." said the husband. Looking at
this, the
lawyer suggested a dinner together, just the three of them. The
wife
thought to herself "Why not, since they are still friends."
At the dining table, there was an awkward silence.
The first dish served was roasted chicken and immediately, the old
man
took the drumstick for the old lady. "This is for you, it is
your
favourite."
Seeing this, the lawyer thought maybe there was still a chance, but
the
wife was frowning when she answered, "That's the problem with you.
You
always think so highly of yourself, and you never consider on how I
feel.
Don't you know that I simply hate drumsticks?"
Little did she know that, over the years, the husband had been
trying all
his means to please her. Little did she know that drumsticks were
actually
her husband's favourite. Little did he know that she never thought
he
understood her at all. Little did he know that she hated
drumsticks, even
though all he wanted was the best for her.
That night, both of them could not sleep. They tossed and
turned
continuously in their own beds. After a few hours, the old man
could not
take it anymore. He knew that he still loved her, and he cannot
carry on
with his life without her. He wanted her back badly and he
sincerely
wanted to tell her that he is sorry. He wanted to tell her "I love
you".
He picked up the phone and started to dial her number. The phone
never
stopped ringing. He never stopped dialing.
On the other hand, she was sad. She could not understand why after
all
these years together, he still did not understand her at all. She
loved
him a lot, but she just cannot take it anymore. The phone rang.
She
refused to pick up the phone, knowing that it was from him. "What
is the
point of talking, now that it is over between us? I have asked for
it and
I just want to keep it this way," she thought to herself. The phone
was
still ringing. Finally, she decided to pull out the cord.
Little did she remember that he had heart problem.
Early next morning, she received news that he had passed away. She
rushed
down to his apartment, and saw his body lying on the couch still
holding
on to the phone. He had a heart attack, while trying desperately to
get
through her phone line.
One night after the funeral, while clearing his belongings, she
came
across an insurance policy that was dated from the day they got
married,
with her as the sole beneficiary. There was a note in the policy
file:
"To my dearest wife, by the time you read this, I will no longer
be
around. I bought this policy for you, even though the amount is
only
$100,000. I hope it will keep the promise that I had made when we
got
married. I might not be with you anymore, but I want this money to
take
care of you on my behalf, just like the way I would if I could
live
longer. I just want you to know that I will always be with you. I
love
you."
Tears flowed down the old lady's cheeks like river.
I know this story might be too heart-rending for a beautiful
Valentine's
Day like today, but I hope it would remind all of us not to take
our loved
ones for granted. Never be afraid to express your true feelings
when you
are with them. Tell them nicely if any of their actions or words
upsets
you. Say it while you still can. Don't wait till you lose them
before you
start to regret the ways that you have treated them. Time and tide
waits
for no man. Life is simply too short for us to fill it with regret
and
remorse.
Meanwhile, not to forget "domo balentan o yuroshiku
itashimasu" (Happy Valentine's Day). 
