Doesn't it sound strange that a complete stranger to these sacred and mystical realms is actually expressing her own views on this intriguing word? Marriage is indeed sacrosanct; an article that I came across that day echoed what has been on my mind-- that a mariage should be built on trust and communications; knowing that you have total confidence that your partner is not up to something fishy even though she is not in bed at 6.30am. How apt. I spent days (and sometimes nights) at King Albert Part McDonalds cramming for the upcoming A levels and have actually encountered a couple of examples that have spurred me to respect marriage as an even more sanctified issue. Just that day, a family of 4 occupied the table next to mine. The father seemed highly distinguished and successful, judging from his apparel and his outlook while the mother appeared to be a housewife. To top it all off, they boast of two beautiful little girls. Yet, the fact that there was little exchange between the couple and the weary look that the lady donned led me into believing that there was indeed something wrong with the family. Being someone who judges (and sometimes poorly) on first impressions. I thought that perhaps their marriage was on the rocks. When the man returned with the food, the lady just sat there waiting to be served. They spoke occasionally, yet, despite their waning conversation, in the midst of the cold air-conditioned climate of Macs, I could actually feel warmth in the air and as though Love has turned into a dome, which casted itself over the family, enclosing the 4 of them under his arms. THe man was as chivalrous as he could be, constanly looking out for the 3 women of his life while the lady shared her food with her husband ans was consistenly tending to the little kids. What a beautiful and warm picture. Indeed a picture speaks a thousand words-- just looking at them made me realise that marriage is not all about talking incessantly; it is about what I term as emotional telepathy-- the ability to communicate without even exchanging a word. Last night, an old couple sat next to me, both of them munching quietly on the ice cream cones that they bought, occasionally remarking about certain issues. Them sitting next to me made me feel as if I was little once again, doing my work dilligently, while my own grandparents sat next to me, quietly giving me their support. Once again, the silence was very comfortable. Beside the respect I had for their quiet 'telepathy' in this cruel and hypocritical world that we live in today, it is indeed rare to see couples actually living their lives out together. A very precoius scene I would say. Reflecting upon my own parents' marriage, I realise that although they have hit certain bad spots togther, they have always managed to pull through every single bit of trouble. The incessant teasing and bantering they show each other, the concern and support they have shown my sister and I; they have indeed made this a very joyous family. They communicate in a different way-- in terms bombastic to my ears as they venture into unknown grounds as they discuss their love for Chinese paintings, and converse as they tease each other- how my mother's cooking is lousy, how my dad is bad-tempered. They communicate also by doing things togther-- going to art exhibitions together, strolling at the nature reserve etc. They, in my eyes, exemplify the almost perfect couple-- how each of them are always supporting the other and advising whenever one needs help. In the age where divorce seems so common, it is indeed heart-warming to find concrete examples of almost perfect marriages and the result being couples who are joined together in all aspects of lide, as though metal welded together at high melting points and then solidfying at room temperature, forever merged. To all who have inspired me, thanks for restoring my faith in this thing called marriage. You have reaffirmed what I have always felt to be important in a marriage-- love and communication. Although there is this common understanding that marriage without bread, in the long run, can never work, one must never forget that without love to bind everything together, nothing can begin. kai 2000

Marriage