My husband’s too old
to have a girlfriend!

My husband Mario and I have been married for thirty-three years. We have three adult children and seven grandchildren. Mario has always been a loving husband and a good provider. He has always been a great father and grandfather. I always thought that I had a perfect marriage which is the envy of my friends.

However, I got the shock of my life when I found out that my 66-year old husband has a young paramour called Dina - a separated woman with two kids. At first I couldn’t believe it. I couldn’t imagine that my Mario, who has hypertension, diabetes and gout, would have the energy or inclination to play around. But when I learned that he was paying for the apartment where Dina and her kids are staying, I got so mad. I confronted Mario who tried to deny the whole thing. In the end, he had to admit everything when he saw that I had managed to dig up all that he had done.

I was so angry that I threatened to leave him. He cried and begged me to forgive him. He became so upset that he had a stroke and we brought him to the hospital. He was able to recover and came home after two weeks. I told my kids what happened and they pleaded with me to forgive their father’s indiscretion. I still can’t imagine Mario having a paramour at his age. Now he has to take things easy or he might have another stroke. Sometimes when I think of what he did, I feel like choking him. But seeing how helpless he is, I feel sorry for him. I heard that Dina and her kids left for Bohol after she learned of Mario’s illness. The pain and bitterness of his infidelity is still fresh. Will I ever get over it?

SUFFERING WIFE

NOTE: The names mentioned are not their real names.

Dear Suffering Wife,

I know how hurt you must have been over Mario’s infidelity. You say you couldn’t believe he could do it at his age. Haven’t you heard? The heart remains young even though the body may age. His years hadn’t affected his feelings. But the threat of losing you must have been so great that he had a stroke. He just couldn’t bear the thought of losing you. This shows how much he loves and cares for you. I hope, in time, you could learn to forgive. After all, no man is perfect.

For all his faults and frailties, Mario is still your husband. He loves you and wants to spend the rest of his life with you. Try to forget the past and look forward to you and Mario growing old together.

TITA