Today will be a day I remember forever. My son, William, and his wife, Emily, arrived in the afternoon with an envelope in hand. Inside were the keys to a flatand then they took me to the solicitors office. I was so overcome that I could hardly speak, so I managed only a whisper:
Why are you giving me such an extravagant gift? You know I dont need anything this grand!
William just smiled at me: Its a little present for your retirement, Mum. You can let it out if youd likean extra bit of comfort for your golden years!
The funny thing is, I hadnt even sorted out my pension at that point! I had only just left work, finally winding down for retirement. They had arranged it all without metypical of them, always one step ahead. I tried to object, but they shook their heads and told me not to cause a fuss.
Emily and I havent always seen eye to eye. For a long while, our relationship see-sawed between peaceful days and sudden, inexplicable rows. Sometimes I instigated a storm, sometimes she did. For years, we both had to learn to keep the peace and stop picking fights over little things. Fortunately, were in a much better place now, and Im thankful for that every day.
When my sister-in-law, Helen, rang and heard about the flat, she was quick to congratulate me, then proceeded to pat herself on the back: Well done me, raising a daughter who doesnt mind such a generous gift to her mother-in-law! Then, typically forthright, she announced she would never accept such a gift herselfshed have given it to her grandson instead.
Half the night, I lay awake, pondering whether I would truly need the rental income, since Ive always managed with so little. By morning, I was already plotting. I called my grandson, Oliver, and gently broached the idea of giving him the flat, since hes turning sixteen soon. Hell need a place if he starts university and finds a girlfriendhe can hardly bring her back to his parents house!
But Oliver was adamant: Gran, honestly, I want to earn my own way! he said, lips pressed in that stubborn line hes had since he was a boy.
No one wanted my flat. I tried to give it to Emily, to Oliver, even to William, but all turned me away.
It reminded me of a story: my elder sister, Margaret, watched her sister-in-law sell off her house, only to end up in a council flat later, desperately holding on to a single room. And then theres Uncle Arthurgone these fifteen yearsbut his heirs still quarrel over the remains of his estate, never able to agree, let alone split it peacefully.
And how easily things can turn. I saw it once on the tellyan elderly couple signed their house over to their son, only for him to throw them out and sell it, leaving them homeless. The world can be cruel, cant it?
I found myself in tears. Im still not sure if it was gratitude or pride in my familymaybe both. After my visit to the pension office, I found out Id receive two thousand pounds a month, while William managed to let out the flat for three thousand. Suddenly, the true worth of their gift sank in. I have to admit, my childrens thoughtfulness and generosity is nothing short of regal.
