A Grandfather’s Visit: A Heart-Wrenching Story of Redemption and Regret

Three years have passed since my divorce. My ex-husband has not once come to visit or support our daughter. Yet, every now and then, my former father-in-law, despite his own struggles, comes to see his granddaughter. He brings with him small gifts of snacks and treats, a gesture that fills me with mixed emotions. For those who may not know the pain of living with a gambling addict, it may be difficult to understand. But for me, the scars run deep, and I will never forgive the man who pushed me and my daughter to the edge of despair.

My ex-husband’s addiction led him to make the terrible decision to secretly pawn our home’s papers to a loan shark. When the creditors came to seize our house, I was left in a state of shock, unable to comprehend what was happening. My daughter, in tears, clung to her teddy bear, which was thrown out onto the street by strangers. In that moment, all I could do was blame myself for repeatedly forgiving him, despite everything he had put us through.

After finding a place to stay, I immediately filed for divorce. When we went to court, my ex-husband calmly demanded half of the savings I had set aside. I wasn’t surprised; I only agreed because I wanted to escape that suffocating life as quickly as possible.

Since the divorce, my ex-husband has never called, visited, or offered any support for our daughter. While I expected this abandonment, it still angered me deeply, especially as I watched him show no remorse for his actions. His indifference toward his own flesh and blood seemed to prove that he had learned nothing from the destruction of our family.

A year after the divorce, creditors were still seeking him out, and I had to deal with the consequences of his mistakes. But, while I carry a deep resentment toward my ex-husband, I can’t help but feel sympathy for his father. At 68 years old, my former father-in-law continues to work hard every day, trying to make ends meet despite his children’s failures. He has been cursed with children who have only caused him pain and hardship.

Despite his own struggles, my former father-in-law visits my daughter every month. Each time, he brings a bag of cakes or snacks. At first, I would criticize him, blaming him for failing to raise his son properly. He would look at me with shame and quietly apologize for his son’s behavior.

Over time, I realized that I had been too harsh. I began to ask him about his life, and I discovered the extent of his hardships. Every day, he braves the harsh weather, selling goods on the street to pay off his son’s debts.

This year, my own situation has improved. I have a more stable income, and I can now offer some financial support when my former father-in-law visits. Each time I hand him money, he is moved to tears. It hurts him to know that his own children have treated him worse than I ever did. He blames himself for his son’s actions and for the pain caused to me and my daughter.

I try to reassure him, telling him to take care of his health and not to be so hard on himself. I even asked him where he was living, hoping that my daughter and I could visit him. He thanked me, but refused to tell me his address. He didn’t want to burden us.

Sometimes, I wish I could call him “Dad” and let him know how much I appreciate his kindness, but the weight of the past remains, and the bitterness I feel is hard to erase. Though I have learned to open my heart to him, the pain caused by his son’s actions still lingers. I can only hope that one day, my former father-in-law will find peace, knowing that despite everything, there is still a place for him in our hearts.