He and my step mom have been married for 40 years. He's mellowed with age, but still talks to her like a dog. She ignores his barbs because she loves him.

Each night this week I have gone to bed with a profound fear that one day I will inexplicably turn into him and begin treating Jen like that. In the darkened room, I turn to her and whisper \"don't ever let me speak to you like that.\" Her reply is \"you never will.\" I pray she's right. I would rather die than treat her poorly.

Why he doesn't feel that way about his wife is a mystery to me because she's been the best thing that ever happened to him. It is my sincere hope that he realizes this soon enough to treat her like a queen for their remaining years together.