THE KIDNAPPING!
Only extreme measures could save our marriage By Bonnie G. Wheeler (Decision Magazine)
Dusk
settled over the empty parking lot as the lights in the building winked out one by one. I watched as a solitary figure locked the front door and shuffled towards his car. The slump of his shoulder told the grim story of discouragement.
I knew my target well, having long studied his routine. He was right on schedule. He opened the car door and dropped wearily into the front seat. Obviously tired and preoccupied, he did not notice me, huddled in the shadows of the back seat. He fumbled with his seat belt and then started the motor. “Don’t make a move!” I gruffly ordered. He flinched and then cautiously asked, “What’s going on?” “This is a kidnapping!” I tersely replied. Disbelief registered on his face. “You’re kidding, aren’t you?” “Never been more serious in my life!” I replied. _________________________________________________________ The past six months of my life read like a textbook case on stress and its cumulative effects. Our family had moved from a metropolitan area to the country, and instead of the anticipated peace and tranquillity, our lives assumed a soap opera quality. While our family struggled in its adjustments to a new lifestyle, the wettest winter in years helped us discover every leak in the roof of our house. As a result the house was flooded, and the insurance company refused coverage. One of our children had an appendicitis attack; another was involved in a bus accident; all six exchanged colds and flu like hand-me-down clothes. Then my hitherto healthy husband, Dennis, became seriously ill, and our finances quickly became another disaster as the effects of rising water and rising medical bills took their combined toll. The doctor told Dennis to avoid stress! Then during his lengthy convalescence, I started noticing personality changes in him, and I took them all personally. After coping with all the changes and trying to over-protect Dennis from stress, I awoke one morning with a paralysed face. The doctor told me to avoid stress and get a lot of rest!
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