I was thinking this morning of a conversation mom and I had last night. You see, my SIL lost her dad 8 years ago, right before she and my brother got married. She was definately daddy's little girl and was devasted he passed before he had the chance to walk her down the aisle. His passing was not sudden or surprising. He had been dying for many, many years.

Fast forward 8 years to the present. Mom commented on how SIL's mom never goes anywhere or does anything. I was surprised, because when I knew SIL's mom (we'll call her Kathy) she was a vibrant and busy woman. She was fun loving and spirited. I was certain she'd be having a full life, which would include a special someone. Mom said, "oh no! The kids have told her in no way should she be "allowed" to ever date anyone else." The kids are all adults & married with kids of their own.

This concept shocked me: how could adult children dictate their mother's happiness? Kathy DESERVES happiness after ten years of a dying husband, and it has been 8 years since his passing.... why not let her find happiness? I think in SIL's mind, her parents had the greatest love story of all time. Being an outsider to the family, I see that it was far from a love story. Perhaps that has something to do with it?

Would YOU mind if a parent fell in love after the death of your other parent?

I know lots of you (like myself) come from divorced parents and such, but pretend for an instant that no divorce ever happened and your parents were "happily" married for 25+ years. Would you mind if they found another love? Would you encourage that love?