My Parents-in-Law
6:31 PM
Not a lot of married women would be fortunate enough to say that they are lucky to have their parents-in-law. The picture of a scheming mother-in-law creating havoc on her hapless daughter-in-law is all too familiar in our culture that it is even continually perpetuated in our various telenovelas. Fortunately and thankfully, this wasn't the case with my parents-in-law - Ricardo and Ester.
Even before my husband and I got married, they have always been very good to me. The only issue during the initial stage was that their son was getting home later than usual , not knowing that their son was visiting me daily at our house after office hours before he went home. Once they realized what was happening, the issue was put to rest only with one admonition to their son to be more careful in commuting especially at night.
With the progression of our relationship, it was inevitable that I would be brought to their home for us to know each other. They were quick to observe my favorite food and every time I would come visiting, those treats will be ready waiting for me. This has prompted their son to jokingly remark that he will bring me more often so that he can get to enjoy specially-prepared food more often as well.
Their attitude towards me did not change even after my marriage to their son. In fact, it became better. They trusted me with responsibilities and gave me privileges that people would normally give to one's family only. I did not only feel like their daughter-in-law, I felt like I was their daughter, accepted for who I am, faults and all.
We lived for a while with them and experienced how it was to live with my in-laws. To their credit, they allowed us to live our life with the least intervention from them as possible. They would only enter the scene when they believe it would be best for all of us. It would be a continuing joke between my husband and I when his parents will side with me in our petty arguments. My husband's line will be " Hindi ba ako ang anak?" ( Who is your child between the two of us?), probably to laugh off his bewilderment that his own parents did not take his side.
They have passed on a year apart from each other although I personally believe it would have been shorter where it not for the remaining responsibility of seeing through the marriage of their youngest son. This is a phenomena which I have observed among very close couples in their advanced age. Their death dates are usually close as if not allowing even death to keep them apart for long. Our family remembers them most especially during the month of July because of their birthdays which are only 1 week apart.
My Say
Happy Birthday Tatay! Happy Birthday Nanay!
That said, thank you for being good to me and accepting me like your own.
28 comments
although i dont know anything with having in-laws... based from what I hear... having great in-laws is a blessing because the truth is, the parents always has a say to their child's life no matter how old one gets... and when the in-laws doesn't approve of the partner (whether the wife or the husband) it can be a big big problem
ReplyDeleteYou are definitely one of the lucky few not to have any problems with the in-laws. I hope that when my time comes and I get married, I'll just be as lucky as you are. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteyup, you are right in saying that it is really hard to find good in-laws. my mom had a share of that "Monster Mom" syndrome but at least they were able to work out the relationship :)
ReplyDeleteFunny, the post started describing the stereotype in-laws we get to see on movies and tv but it's great that you have good in laws that appreciated you. Like your in-laws, My Lolo and Lola also died months apart. I think those are what we call soul mates.
ReplyDelete@koko and adeline: You will appreciate this more once you get married.
ReplyDelete@mavin: there are only a few things that cannot be solved by accepting the other and being accepted in return.
ReplyDeletefranc ramon: I have always been vocal about the fact that I was fortunate to have them as in-laws. Their devotion to each other extended to their children and their respective spouses including their grandchildren.
ReplyDeleteoften times it's very hard difficult to find great in-laws, you;re lucky to have one.
ReplyDeletea friend is currently experiencing a "monster-in law" stage at her home.. She really wants to bail out of the marriage but loves her hubby so much she just "bought" some more patience :))
ReplyDeleteThe things we do for love and for our families. Hope she gets through somehow.
ReplyDeletegood to know that you found beautiful and loving in-laws:) "bihira yan" jeje far from the typical manugang - byenan stories:)
ReplyDeleteWasn't very close with my in-laws considering that I haven't stayed longer in their place because of the type of work I have. I just wish we can stay there longer in the near future.
ReplyDeleteYou were lucky to have such good parents-in-law. Sometimes, esp here in the Philippines where family ties are stronger, parents-in-law put a strain on marriages.
ReplyDeleteme, i'm lucky with my in-laws... their kind and loves my kids so much. Yahweh bless.
ReplyDeleteI love my in--laws too. They're like my biological parents. :-)
ReplyDeleteYou are very lucky to have a good in laws. Naalala ko tuloy ang aking lolo at lola sa larawang kupas na ito :-).
ReplyDeleteYou're really lucky to have good in laws. :)
ReplyDeleteMy FIL passed away even before my husband and I married, but my MIL still lives. :) My MIL and I aren't BFFs, but we get along fine, better than most people and I couldn't ask for more. :D
I am very fortunate to have a loving father-in-law as well. He is like a real Dad to me, unfortunately MIL died before I could meet her.
ReplyDeleteYou are very blessed!
You are so blessed to have parents-in-law like them. It such a blessing to have parents-in-law who treat their in-laws as their own.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday to both of them:)
Ayyy this is so sweet! I'm sure they're proud to have you as their daughter in law :)
ReplyDeletewhat a blessing to have such parents in law! :)
ReplyDeleteit is indeed a blessing to have very good relationship with the in-laws, i too am blessed to have very good and understanding in laws who do not get in the way of our life's decision making.
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday to them!
ReplyDeleteI am happy to know that you have been blessed with second parents who love and treat you like their own. I know how it feels to be accepted that way as my in-laws are great people too.
I so agree with you that having a good relationship with the inlaws helps a lot. I may not be blessed with time to get to know my inlaws since they already past away, but I equally blessed for being treated as part of the family with my husband's sisters and relatives.
ReplyDeleteyou're lucky and blessed to have them...and now, i am sure they are your family's angel. always nice to have great relationship with in-laws, makes one life easier. :)
ReplyDeleteAy, naalala ko tuloy yung classic line ni Tito Pepe( Pepe Pimentel) may his soul rests in heaven about sa Biyenan ko. Me, I am so blessed na I have parents-in-law na napakabait at ever supportive. Sana ganyan din ang turing sa akin ng mga manugang ko.
ReplyDeleteYou are indeed so blessed!! Isang katangian yan ng mga parents-in-law na mga Pinoy na hindi basta-basta nakikita sa mga banyagang in-laws.. I am not saying that they're not good at all.. My Mom-in-law is super-duper nice to me.. Parang second Nanay ko na nga rin sya eh.. Kaya lang, dahil sa kinalakihang kultura, may mga bagay pa din tayong hinahanap minsan na hindi nila nakaugaliang gawin.. Kaya, nakaka-miss pa din talaga ang pamilyang Pinoy!
ReplyDeleteyou are pretyty lucky to have a nice inlaws....I wish I got the chance to meet my mother in-law.
ReplyDeleteLet us know what you think