Happy Birthday Father-in-law

It is my father-in-law's 56th birthday. We decided not to celebrate it today, but this coming Sunday since everyone is so busy at work.

And I have been requested by my sis-in-law to bake my famous "moist chocolate cake".

Well, I don't mind doing it. But I don't think I'll be doing it wholeheartedly.

No, don't get me wrong. I don't hate that man. Its just that there are a few things that he has done that I can never forget.

My late mother-in-law loved him unconditionally. But he betrayed her trust. When she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1995, he secretly married another. It is not wrong. I cannot say it is wrong since Islam has allowed it. But, what I consider wrong is him marrying her when his first wife was suffering and dying of cancer. I think that is so cruel. Would it be too much if he refrained from doing so until she dies? She needed him to be at her side. God, she was dying!

Of course, my late mom-in-law was too good a person. She was so patient through it all. She found out about the marriage, but no one else knew. Not even the kids. Not my husband or his sisters. But she confided in me, who at that time was only engaged to her son. She pretended that nothing took place. And she made me promise not to tell her children. I just couldn't see her suffering. It was so painful.

And one week after she died a peaceful death, my dad-in-law brought home the new wife to the house, much to the shock of the children.

I still cannot find the heart to forgive him. Not today. Not now. Not tomorrow. Maybe some years from now. Or maybe not.

To my dearest mom-in-law.. Rest in peace.. Al Fatihah and may Allah reward your patience. We miss you.