I saw the way they were looking at each other, the subtle jabs they’d make about who was doing more to take care of me. It was sickening. And then, one day, I overheard them talking about the cemetery plot and the headstone they’d already purchased for me. They were discussing how they’d picked out something ‘fitting’ for an old lady like me, as if I was already gone.
That’s when I decided I wasn’t going to take it anymore. I called a family meeting, and when they all gathered in my small nursing home room, they looked at me with those fake, concerned smiles.
“Kids,” I said, my voice firm. “I know what you’re all after. And let me tell you, I’m not going to be pushed around. I may be old, but I’m not senile. I’ve seen the way you’ve been acting, and it’s a shame. I raised you better than this.”
They all started stammering, trying to come up with excuses, but I cut them off.
“I’m going to make some changes to my will. And I’m not going to let any of you pressure me into giving you what you think you deserve. I’m going to do what I think is right.”
Betty’s eyes widened. “Mom, you can’t do that. We’re your family.”
I laughed, a cold laugh. “Family? Where was my family when I was lying on that kitchen floor for hours? Where were you all those years when I was sitting here alone, waiting for a call or a visit? You were too busy with your own lives, and now you think you can come swooping in and claim my money?”
Thomas tried to reason with me. “Mom, we love you. We just got caught up in our own stuff.”
I shook my head. “Love isn’t just words, son. It’s actions. And your actions have spoken volumes.”
Sarah started to cry. “Mom, please don’t be like this. We’re sorry.”
I softened a bit. “I know you’re sorry now, because you’re worried about your inheritance. But I’m not going to let this money destroy what little family bond we have left. So here’s what’s going to happen. I’m going to set up a trust. Part of the money will go to things that are important to me. The nursing home where I’ve found a new family will get a donation. There are some charities that I’ve always wanted to support, and they’ll get their share.”
“And as for you three,” I continued, looking at each of them in turn. “You’ll each get a fair share, but it won’t be a windfall. You’ll have to work for it. I’ll set up conditions. If you can prove that you’ve changed, that you’re spending time with each other, with your kids, and with me, then you’ll get your portion. But if you keep up this greedy, self – centered behavior, then the money will go elsewhere.”
My grandkids looked at me, a bit shocked. I could see that some of them were starting to understand.
