Love Story

I remember reading Erich Segal’s Love Story in college. My mom and my tita warned me that they cried when they read it. Intrigued and because I absolutely loved Erich Segal, I borrowed a copy. Because the book was so thin, I finished it in one sitting. And I cried and cried and cried and cried.

Beautiful in its simplicity, Love Story tells of the story of Oliver and Jennifer, two opposites who met, fell in love, defied odds, and got married… only for their life together to end so abuptly.

After a meeting a few weeks back, I brought Jia to Powerbooks and I saw a copy of Love Story. I bought it and read it when I got home. Before I knew it, I was crying again. And crying and crying and crying. I cannot imagine going through something as painful as losing the person you chose and planned to spend your whole life with.

Every moment together with a loved one must really be treasured. Kahit na nakakainis pa siya minsan. Kahit na simpleng bagay hindi magawa. Kahit na paulit-ulit ka na lang sa pagsabi. Hindi naman talaga mauubos yung mga bagay na nakakainis. But one must always remember the things that brought you together and that God should be in the center of your relationship. When you think about it, hindi rin naman nauubos yung mga bagay na nakakatuwa eh.

Personally, whenever I am frustrated with something in my married life, I pray. Stories of real life couples whose lives together were cut short (such that of Maan and Jarwin) inspire me and makes me want to try harder to be a better wife and a better mom. Admittedly, I’m far from being a dutiful wife (naku, sa dami ng ginagawa ko, ni hindi ko maasikaso bahay namin eh) but I’m so blessed with a loving and supportive husband and an adorable and adoring daughter. But despite this, sometimes I forget and I make reklamo. And then when I’m calm, I ask myself, remember Oliver & Jenny [and Maan & Jarwin and Chiqui & Tin (another couple whose life together was cut short when Chiqui passed away)]? I’m sure they would prefer to be “bothered” by the petty things you are dealing with than by dealing with the loss of a loved one. And this effectively brings me back to reality and I give a short prayer of thanks for having my life and, yes, even my problems.