The moment Gabby’s siblings discover that their mother bequeathed everything to her in her will, they lose control and abandon her. They eventually come to understand their mistake and return to their origins.
As soon as I sat down in the office of our family lawyer, I knew that things were about to become interesting. My siblings were all around me, and they were growing agitated as the attorney continued to discuss Mom’s possessions. We were all waiting to hear Mom’s last wishes, so the anxiety was high.
Even though I knew my siblings were excited to see what their mother had left them, I still didn’t want to be there. Still, none of us anticipated the impending events.
Before me, my three siblings, Tasmin, Robert, and Maya, each had their chance. Being the youngest, I was used to being last, so it wasn’t a big deal. However, I shall never forget the expression on their faces when they opened the envelopes the lawyer gave them.
There was amazement, shock, and confusion. It was then my time. I felt a folded letter, unlike the tiny white envelope my siblings received with $1 inside. Maya grabbed it out of my hands before I had a chance to read it.
“Gabby, what the hell?” The lawyer gasped as she blurted out.
“You guys,” she said, referring to Robert and Tasmin. According to this letter, Mom left everything to Gabby. The house, her whole estate, and a hidden savings account. Truly, Gabby? since “the only one who cared” was you?
I’ll admit that when I heard it spoken, it sounded harsh. It wasn’t as though I was trying to be the lucky one or something. I simply adored my mother, so it seemed right to be there for her when she was ill. I didn’t take the risk with the hopes of winning. She was my mom, therefore that’s why I did it.
In contrast, my siblings had already made their decisions. Their lives were hectic, and they were involved in matters that couldn’t wait.
Tasmin put in a lot of overtime, Maya had two kids, and Robert was just Robert. Family time didn’t mean anything to him.
Despite Maya’s belief to the contrary, the letter revealed all. but rather to make Mom’s feelings and ideas known. Until her next breath, Mom carried the anguish of feeling abandoned by her oldest children.
Yes, the dollar that was given to each of them was symbolic. It served as a sobering reminder of their lack of support for Mom during her most vulnerable moments.
And yet here I was, clutching a letter that felt like coal in my palms all of a sudden. I sliced the paper with my fingertips as I passed them over it.
Trying to clarify, I said, “I didn’t ask for this.”
Not that they paid attention. Robert was staring at his watch, Tasmin was frantically typing on her phone, and Maya was checking her phone’s calendar.
“Pay attention!” When I insisted, they looked up at me. “I need you to comprehend who I am.”
No, they didn’t.
In the aftermath, my siblings ignored me for weeks, causing a maelstrom of emotions.
But then they began to communicate, genuinely communicating rather than squabbling about will.
We got together at Mom’s house to cook and talk about our past. We discussed the positives and negatives, as well as the several curfews that Robert had disregarded during his adolescent defiance.
The distance between us started to narrow gradually.
We ultimately came to the decision that while I would continue to call my apartment home, Mom’s house would serve as the gathering point for the family.
“How about we divide Mom’s savings equally?” I said. “As a safety net for each of us, rather than to blow up on lavish and unnecessary things.”
My siblings concurred and went with me to the bank to resolve the issue.
In my opinion, Mom’s parting lesson had nothing to do with who showed up last or who gave the greatest care. It has to do with comprehending her feelings over those final few months.
Above all, she wanted her kids to know how to be good family members by forgiving one another and never forgetting that we were still a family.
It took time and wasn’t simple to accomplish. In a sense, though, Mom’s final desire was granted—our link as siblings was strengthened by our shared love and sorrow rather than by guilt or inheritance.
We still get together for our monthly family dinners at one other’s houses these days. Ensuring that we take time out for each other no matter how busy life gets has become a new habit.
Mom is undoubtedly pleased.
In my position, how would you have responded? Would you have retained the money and the house?