I never expected much from my husband, nor did I desire extravagant things. I wasn’t the type of girl who yearned for a luxurious life. What I always craved was respect and to maintain my self-esteem. Just as I’ve mentioned, I was an obedient child of my parents. I have the following qualities within me and everyone knows me because of the following qualities:
- Modest Expectations
- Not Seeking Luxuries
- Respect for elders
- Obedience to Parents
The Power of Mutual Respect
So, I always assumed that when my parents arranged my marriage, I would blindly follow their decision. After all, they are my parents, and I believed they would never lead me astray. But at that time, I didn’t realize they were also influenced by societal pressures. I didn’t understand how the judgments of others could leave deep wounds in their hearts, wounds that could overshadow their love for me. Their thoughts became as fragile as a mouse trembling before a cat. The cat, we’ll call Tom, and the mouse, Jerry. At that time I felt the presence of the following elements in my surroundings:
- Importance of Respect
- Societal Pressures
- Impact of Judgments
- Fragile Hearts
Once, I visited Aunt Susan’s house with my friend Emily. During a casual conversation, Aunt Susan shared, “I’m content with my husband. He provided me with a good home, showed me respect, and never once did I go to bed hungry.” She was a straightforward woman, so simple that she struggled to speak English fluently. She wasn’t highly educated and had never even met her husband before their marriage, let alone seen him.
Yet, she was grateful to God and her husband. Yes, there was love between that couple. I could see it in the way she cared for him, that was a love rooted in mutual respect. I was deeply impressed by Aunt Susan. I learned a lot from her. At that moment, I decided that I would be content just like her. Even if my husband and I ended up in a modest home or rented apartment, I would find happiness with him.
Love Beyond Distance
The most fascinating thing I discovered about Aunt Susan was that most of her life was spent apart from her husband. He worked as a mechanic in Kuwait and rarely came back to the United States before retiring from his job. Despite the distance, they remained faithful to each other.
- Long-Distance Love
- Husband’s Work in Kuwait
- Faithfulness Despite Separation
- Simplicity Over Wealth
I couldn’t help but envy her simplicity. On that day, I realized how life could become more straightforward when you’re not consumed by the desire for wealth and luxury.
