Stephen Sondheim‘s got nothin’ on Malcolm Applegate of Birmingham, England. The man recently talked about his life in a blog entry posted on the Emmaus Greenwich website. According to their website, Emmaus is a charity that gives people a home,

“for as long as someone needs it and meaningful work in our social enterprise.”

Applegate was a gardener for 25 years and enjoyed his job until he got married. Apparently, the more he worked, the “angrier” his wife became.

“She didn’t like me being out of the house for long periods of time. The controlling behavior started to get out of hand and she demanded that I cut my hours.“

He said that he tried to work it out with his wife, but to no avail, it seems, since Applegate wrote that he left without saying anything to anyone. For 10 YEARS!.

He moved into the woods near Kingston for five years and tended a garden at a community center for the elderly when Applegate decided to apply to live at Emmaus Greenwich after a friend told him about it. Applegate reports he was happy in his new home and recently got in touch with his sister, who thought he was dead.

“I’d like the people who donate to Emmaus to know that I am grateful for being given a second chance at life. I have a lovely room, I am able to work and I can still lead an active social life – I love it here – my life is officially back on track.”

His wife has, so far, not volunteered her thoughts on her husband’s new life.

(Photos, Facebook, Wikimedia Commons; via NY Post)