For Better, For Worse

I always remembered our wedding vows “for better, for worse…”

I also remembered everything you have told me over the years.

I was such a slow learner, so I appreciated you repeating this information daily.

I didn’t deserve anyone’s love, but you felt pity for me.  I was lucky you found me.

I was too ugly.  A blind man could see that.  I should’ve worn make-up.

I was as graceful as a cow, and just as big.  I needed to go on a diet.

I was too stupid to realize that when you called me hurtful names, it was just a joke.

I cried too often and for no “good” reason.  I needed to toughen up.

I never cleaned the house to your standards therefore it resembled a pig pen.

I never made one meal that you enjoyed without complaint.

I never washed and folded the laundry nicely like your mother did.

I should’ve been more like your mother.  She would’ve never questioned your father.

I had such uneducated parents, it’s no wonder I was ignorant as well.

I never made enough money to support myself, let alone earn your respect.

I should’ve stopped wasting my time at church.  Time that should have been spent with you.

I should have ignored advice from my friends.  They only wanted to turn me against you.

I was only punished when I upset you.  At other times, you could be so nice.

I refused sex a couple of times.  You forced yourself on me and I learned my lesson.

I endured quite a few of your beatings but that taught me you were “the man of the house”.

I wasn’t ashamed in public.  You were kind enough to never hit me in the face.

I should’ve felt lucky, you only choked me a few times.  I only lost consciousness once.

I overreacted when I called the police.  I should not have pressed charges.

I was nervous when you knocked on the door, but you wanted to “solve” our problems.

I opened the door.  You stood there holding a bouquet of flowers.  I smiled.

I reached out for the flowers at the same time you squeezed the trigger.

I always remembered our wedding vows “…to love and to cherish, till death do us part”.



Nina Herron