An 84-year-old mother startled her children when she revealed she was selling their home and transferring to a nursing facility. But in reality, it wasn't the nursing home where she had planned on moving.
Edith Gray and her husband Terrence's lives revolved around their children, and they were the type of parents that would do everything to see a smile on their children's faces. Naturally, their son Lewis and daughter Addison never missed out on anything.
However, when the kids grew up, and it was their turn to care for their parents, they acted as if their parents were nothing more than a burden to them.
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"Mom, stop pestering me all the time!" Addison yelled at Edith when she called her one day. "I have a family now! And I'm pregnant. I don't have time for your stupid talks."
"But honey, I just wanted to ask how you and Josh are doing. I didn't mean to—"
"Really, mom? Stop showing your fake sympathy all the time! You wouldn't have abandoned us in this one-room condo if you cared about us! You and dad have a whole freakin' house to yourself, but have you ever considered inviting us to stay?"
"But you never inquired about it, Addison. I assumed you didn't want to live with us. In fact, you were the one who was so eager to move out!"
"That was back when I was a student, mom. Now I have to take care of my children, and Josh and I are struggling, so I'd like to move in there! Are you content now? I clearly asked that!"
"Well, honey," Edith paused. She wasn't sure whether inviting Addison and her husband over would be good because she knew how stern her daughter was. Once she and Josh would find the house comfortable, they would just settle down and never leave.
However, Edith was worried about her second grandchild, who was due in a few months, so she reasoned that even if Addison was a little demanding and spoiled, it wouldn't be too much bother for her.
"Alright, Addison," she said. "I don't mind if you want to move in here."
"Thank you for that. I'll speak with Josh tonight and let you know when we'll be there," she replied and hung up.
Later, Edith discussed what happened with Terrence, and he was actually happy that Addison would be staying close to them now. He assured her that everything would be okay and that they would be able to spend more time with and be close to their grandchildren.
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"Don't worry, darling. Things will be fine!" he said.
But Edith had a feeling that everything wouldn't be fine. And she was right.
Two months after Addison and Josh moved in, Terrence passed away due to a heart attack. Edith went to wake him one morning and found he had gone in his sleep. She cried her heart out, but nothing changed. Terrence had left, and she would have to move on.
After Terrence's passing, Edith felt very lonely, but Addison and Josh did little to cheer her up. They were too preoccupied with their own life to ask her whether she was okay or if she needed anything. Then her son Lewis called her, and while he didn't ask about her health or anything else, he did express he missed her.
"Well, mom," he said. "Natasha and I are planning on getting married next month. Her relatives are from India, and they are really eager to meet you. And even I miss you, mom. Can you take out some time for us this weekend?"
Edith was still grieving Terrence's loss, but she agreed to Lewis' request to make him happy. The meeting between the two families went great, and their wedding was organized in an opulent hall in Florida where Lewis worked. However, a month after his wedding, he made an odd request to his mother.
"Hey, mom," he told her on a call. "Actually, I took a transfer, so I was wondering if Natasha and I could stay in dad's old house. Since Addison and Josh are already staying with you, that would just make the house too cramped. I hope that house isn't up for rent... I mean, if we could just move there you know...it's better than giving it to a stranger."
"Ah...well...that was the first house your father and I bought together, so I'm not sure I want to rent it out. But why are you suddenly taking a transfer, Lewis? I thought you loved Florida."
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"Ugh, mom," Lewis hesitated. "We had some plans in mind. Natasha wanted to start a business, and as far as my work is concerned—"
"You see, Lewis..." Edith was going to say something when she heard Natasha hush Lewis on the phone. It turned out he had been sacked from his work, which was why they were planning on returning.
Edith had had enough of Addison and Josh, so she was ready to turn down Lewis. However, if she refused, he would bring up Addison and Josh and make a big fuss, which she didn't have the strength for, so she caved.
Natasha and Lewis settled into their old house, and everything seemed to be going well for a while. However, when Addison gave birth, Edith was just done.
She was 84 years old, still working on the small farm she and Terrence owned, and now she had to tend to Addison's newborn as well. She felt as if she couldn't handle it anymore, and it was affecting her health. She told Addison and Lewis that she wasn't feeling well and asked them to take her to the doctor.
Lewis responded with: "Sorry, mom, Nat and I are busy with something, so we can't. You better ask Addison and Josh!"
But Addison and Josh had already refused her, telling them they were going to a friend's party and would make time for that later. So, after observing her children's lack of concern, Edith announced one day that she was moving to a nursing facility after selling all of her property. She made the announcement over dinner.
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"All right, children," she said. "It's past time for you to learn to stand on your own. Because your mother has done her part, I am hereby announcing that I intend to sell the houses and relocate to a nursing facility where I will be cared for until God calls me home. Anyway, you're only concerned with your comfort and haven't given your old mother a second thought. So I've made my final decision."
Lewis laughed. "Oh, come on, mom. You can't possibly be serious. You can't expect us to leave like that. I'm sure there will be nursing homes that would accept you for free. You don't need to sell the houses."
Edith gave him a glare. "Excuse me! Who are you to decide that? The houses belong to me, Lewis, and I get to decide what I do with them. And Addison and Josh would be moving out too. Raising their kids is their responsibility, and they need to own it."
"But mom," Addison countered. "How can you simply tell us to leave? We have nowhere to go, and I have two small children with me!"
"Well, dear. That's your headache. I have made my decision clear. By tomorrow morning, your things should be packed and moved out. I have already called some agents, and they'll be coming over."
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The children were enraged by their mother's decision and hurled many hurtful things at her before leaving the dinner table. But Edith didn't budge at all, as she had a brilliant plan ready to teach her greedy kids a good lesson.
One week later, Edith finally found two buyers for her two houses, and they paid quite a good amount for them. However, she didn't go to a nursing home with the money. Instead, she purchased an exotic oceanfront condo in a new town where her friend Martha lived.
After Edith told her about how Addison and Lewis were behaving, Martha suggested that she move to her town. Edith thought the idea made sense, so she did as Martha had suggested.
After relocating to her new home, Edith had a fun time with Martha, reliving their good old days by spending time together, watching old movies, and going on shopping sprees. Edith longed for Terrence and her two grandchildren, but now that she was away from her toxic children, she felt happier and more relaxed.
What can we learn from this story?
- Stop treating your parents like they don't matter. Edith's children took advantage of her so she gave them a lesson they would never forget.
- Don't misinterpret someone's generosity as a sign of weakness. Edith's children had no inkling they'd be kicked out, but it happened and came as a surprise to them.
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