TO LOVE WITH PATIENCE, TO BEAR WITH LOVE
Matthew and Emily had a church wedding.
On the day of their nuptials, just as the bridal procession was approaching St Marys, a wild summer gale arose out of nowhere. In a flash, it swept off Emilys veil it soared upwards like a white balloon, spun in a dizzying ballet above their heads, and finally tumbled into a muddy puddle. The guests gasped in shock. Just as suddenly, the storm vanished.
Matthew dashed after the veil but couldn’t catch it in time.
The pristine veil floated in the pitch-black water. In a tangled fluster, Emily shouted to her groom,
Matt, leave it be! I wont wear it now!
The old church ladies, ever perched on their benches, began to whisper amongst themselves. A sign, a sign, they clucked. Their life will be nothing but storms…
There was no time to hunt for a replacement, so someone nipped to the corner shop and fetched an artificial white lily, pinning it into Emilys hair. After all, one cannot be late for ones own wedding!
The newlyweds stood before the altar, holding their wedding candles, exchanging vows for God. Earlier, in the registry office, they had signed the documents and celebrated with a beautiful reception that was for the world.
Three years and two children later a daughter, Sophie, and a son, George the family was living contentedly, unaware of any impending sorrows.
But ten years after the wedding, their door was rapped upon by a young woman.
Emily always welcomed guests, invited or not, feeding them, pouring proper tea, and soothing their troubles with gentle conversation. But this caller was no ordinary guest, and she had arrived when Matthew was out.
With a quick glance, Emily sized up the stranger: tall, graceful, radiant, and strikingly young.
Good afternoon, Emily. My names Lucy. Im to be… your husbands future wife, announced the woman calmly.
How peculiar! Emily blinked.
And how long has Matt been your intended? Emily continued, as if part of some surreal exchange.
A very long time. But I cant wait any longer. Im having Matthews baby, Lucy replied, without the slightest discomfort.
How traditional! Wife, mistress, illegitimate child Emily tried to reason, Surely you know Matthew and I are joined in holy matrimony? We have children, too.
I know everything. But were in love truly, endlessly. Wont you annul your vows? Hes no longer faithful, and Ive checked; its allowed. Lucy pleaded.
Look, my dear, Emily replied, growing irked, I strongly suggest you stay out of other peoples marriages. Well sort out our loyalty and love ourselves. Goodbye.
Lucy simply shrugged, as if to say, Well, Ive done my duty, and hurried off. Emily slammed the door in her wake.
She thinks she knows it all As if! Emily fumed.
She began recalling the subtle changes in Matthew: distant with the children and herself, supposedly tied up at work, business trips that appeared from nowhere, newfound interests in lengthy fishing weekends (though hed never angled before). The telltale signs were there. Women sense these thingsthe tension, the unspoken distance.
But Emily banished her darker thoughts. Perhaps, she hoped, it was all in her head, and her husband was innocent.
That evening, when Matthew got home, Emily invited him to supper. She knew it wise to feed a man well before tackling weighty matters.
Once hed thanked her for the meal, Emily seized the moment.
Matt Are you in love? she blurted, not knowing where to begin.
I am, Matthew said, wary.
Your friend stopped by today. Is it serious? Emilys heart trembled.
Im rotten! I cant live without Lucy! God knows Ive tried to end it, but I cant. Let me go, Em! Matthew pleaded.
Go, then Emily realised appeals to conscience, or Think of the children! would be useless. Life would decide.
Matthew left.
Emily went to St. Johns to seek counsel from the vicar, who listened kindly and comforted her.
My child, love bears all things, endures all things, never fails, he quoted Scripture. You have every right to petition for annulment your husbands broken his vows. Or, you can forgive, pray, and wait. Gods ways are mysterious.
Two months later, Emily discovered she was expecting. The child was Matthewsa sign, she believed, that he would repent and come home. This soothing idea kept her strong through her pregnancy.
When her son was born, Emilys mother suggested Jack as a name, the English counterpart to Johna gentle nod to fate: Perhaps Matt will return, love. Life is full of surprises.
Thankfully, Emilys mother was steadfastshe helped care for all Emilys children, nurtured, fed, amused, and guided them with grace.
Matthew didnt forget Sophie and George. He brought toys, took them to Cornwall, and sent Emily money in neat envelopes.
Emily, however, strictly forbade the children from telling him about their new brother, Jack. Of course, children rarely obey.
Sophie revealed everything during a visit with her father.
Matthew, hearing of a new baby at home, assumed Emily had found someone else and felt a deep ache for their former happiness. It never even dawned on him that Jack was his own son.
Meanwhile, Lucy suffered a terrible lossafter a difficult pregnancy, she gave birth to a stillborn daughter. Grief struck again with a miscarriage not long after. Lucy was devastated. She longed for time to recover, yet fate had different plans.
Matthew stood by Lucy throughout. He blamed himself for their troubles.
As for Emily, her old university friend, Richard, began visiting often. During their student days, Richard had been an earnest admirer; hed even proposed after graduation, but Emily never saw him as a husbandhe was too persistent, too serious, his mothers darling, and perhaps, simply, not her match. Still, he was popular among the girls, but the moment Emily met Matthew, Richard was left in the pastor so she thought.
One rainy, weary autumn, Emily stared out the bus window, feeling glum.
A man sat beside her.
Mind if I join you? he asked.
Go ahead, she said, shifting aside, not glancing up.
Tough day, miss? he tried, but Emily ignored him.
He persisted.
Em, is that you? Good heavens, its been years!
She turned, surprised.
Richard! Where have you been? How are you?
Richard probed gently, Hows married life?
Come round for tea, Richard! Your wife won’t scold if youre home late, will she?
On the way, Richard bought a bottle of wine, fruit, and treats for the children.
Around the dinner table, Emily finally opened up. She needed someone to listen, and Richard was the perfect shoulder. He listened without interruption, nodded with understanding, and at the end, Emily kissed him, gently, on the cheek, in thanks.
Richard, heartened, said goodnight and left for home.
It turned out that, in all these years, hed never wednever had childrenso fate had played a subtle hand.
Richard became a regular visitor, bringing gifts for the kids and always flowers for Emily.
Emily, however, made her boundaries clear.
Youre welcome here, but Im still waiting for my husband. No funny business.
Richard considered himself lucky even for that. All right, Ill think of you as a sister, the kids as my nieces and nephew. And so he stayed.
Meanwhile, fortune took a kinder turn for Matthews new family. Lucy finally delivered a healthy, darling little girl; they named her Gracea name close to God and full of hope.
Lucy poured herself into motherhood, but the bitterness of her earlier choices haunted her. Only after Graces birth did she truly understand the pain shed inflicted on Emilys household. Other peoples trouble never makes us wise, she thought; she wanted only to beg for forgiveness.
Matthew doted on Grace, showering her with rattles, gently rocking her at night, and relishing fatherhood. Lucy marvelled at such devotion.
Time flowed steadily on.
Five years passed. The children grew, and everyone else matured further still.
But then tragedy struck. Lucy, aged only thirty, fell seriously ill. Doctors, hospitals, endless treatmentsMatthews life became consumed by her care, but Lucy was slipping away.
As her illness deepened, Lucy asked,
Matt, take me to Emily, please!
Matthew hesitated, but agreed.
Emily already knew, through Sophies visits, that Lucy was gravely sick and so did not refuse Matthews call.
Matthew carefully carried Lucy into Emilys home, the entire family awaiting an explanation.
Emily, arms folded, gestured to the bed, where Matthew laid Lucy gently on a beautiful coverlet and propped her up with pillows.
Please, Lucy whispered, leave me with Emily.
Everyone obeyed.
Emily sat on the edge of the bed.
Forgive me if you can, Emily. I believe I am facing my judgement. Pleasetake Grace and raise her as your own. I have no one but Matthew and you. Promise you’ll look after her with Matthew, Lucy pleaded, tears pouring down her cheeks.
Emily squeezed her hand.
Lucy! God doesnt punish uswe punish ourselves. I forgave you long ago. Dont worry about Grace; shell always have a home with us. You and Matt stay here for nowhe needs support, and its not right to go through this alone. Our home is big enough for all.
I promise youll recover. Miracles happen. Just dont lose hope! Emily offered.
Like a welcoming manor, Emilys cottage had room for everyone.
Everyone took turns looking after LucyRichard most of all. He devoted himself from day one, spoke gentle, long, saving words, and soon realised hed grown to love Lucy dearly, and treasured Grace as his own petal of the daisies. Lucy was a marvel of a child.
Lucy found the will to live. Emily breathed hope into her thin frame; Lucy clung to it.
After months of agony and treatment, Lucy could step outside. She strolled in the fresh air, let the sun warm her pale face, whispered under her breath, and smiledlife trickled back into her worn-out body.
Lucy often thought of Richard. She still loved Matthew, but knew he belonged to another. Dont covet what isnt yours, shed learned. But Richard was good, generous, kind. Hed accepted Grace as his own, loved Lucy, and showed there was hope for happiness. Such families exist, where one person’s love is enough for two. Lucy resolved to cherish Richards devotionand wait, just a little, to be fully well.
Her recovery was slow but steady.
Then came the day when, at Sunday lunch, Lucy announced,
Emily, Matthew, Grace and Iand Richardwere leaving. Thank you for your kindness, for your shelter, for the love I never expected! Ill never meet such people again, Im sure. I bow deeply to you both.
Matthew and Emily exchanged smiles.
Theyd long known the quiet affection blooming between Richard and Lucy. Before this day, Matthew had told Emily in earnest,
No matter what happens with Lucy, I want to be with you, Em. Your heart knows no limits! Will you take me back? We have our three to raise togetherI will fall at your feet!
What do you think, Matt? Of course Ill take you back! I may even owe you an apologyif Id been a better wife, perhaps you wouldnt have strayed. Lifes a wise old tutor; you learn, no matter what, Emily embraced and kissed her prodigal husband.
And what about Grace, Matt? Shes your daughter. She loves you.
She is, and she always will be. Ill never turn my back on her. My doorand my armsare always open to her, Matthew replied.
Richard, Lucy, and Grace packed their belongings.
At the door, Lucy beckoned to Matthew,
Love Emily, treasure her above all. Never hurt her. I will remember you always, Matt.
Be happy, Lucy, Matthew answered.
**
Life taught each of them, in its winding way, that patience, forgiveness, and kindness are greater than anger. In the end, the familyreshaped by lifes tempestsrealised that true love means not only passion, but also loyalty, humility, and generosity, even toward those who once hurt us. For no storm, however fierce, can break the home where hearts are open and forgiveness is the roof.
