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We Had Such High Hopes That My Mum Would Retire, Move to the Countryside, and Leave Her Three-Bedroom Flat to Me and My Husband!
We had high hopes that my mum would retire, move to the countryside, and leave her three-bedroom flat to my husband and me!
Let me tell you about my neighbour, Margaret. Shes 68 now. She lived alone in her spacious three-bedroom flat. Recently, Margaret decided to let out her flat and go on a holiday.
Her daughter, Emily, came round to see me, clearly upset:
What is my mother doing? Shes let me down terribly! Now my mother-in-law wont stop reminding me that Ill go round the bend in my old age as well. Shes always saying the apple doesnt fall far from the tree. My husband and I have only just taken out a loan to buy a car! Were two months behind on our payments already. We really counted on mum to help us out! But instead, shes let out her own flat and jetted off on a holiday!
I looked at Emily, quite surprised: why should her mum be paying off their car loan for them? Emily carried on:
My mother-in-law is fuming that were living with her in her flat while my mums just let hers out and disappeared!
I could tell Emily was after a bit of sympathy. But honestly, I think Margaret has done absolutely the right thing. Shes got every right to live her life however she wants. Why do people expect a woman, just because shes retired, to surrender her whole life to the needs of her kids and grandchildren? Its not fair! So I asked Emily:
Why dont you and your husband try standing on your own two feet for a change? Why havent you spent the last fifteen years of your marriage saving up for your own home? Then your mother-in-law wouldnt have anything to complain about.
Emily explained:
Well, we always hoped that when my mum retired, shed move to the countryside and wed get her three-bedroom flat!
So I decided to have a bit of fun with her and said:
And what if Margaret decides to get married again? She had a friend who went on holiday to Spain and ended up meeting someone there. Now shes happily married and settled abroad. Perhaps Margaret might do the same!
Emily stared at me in shock at the idea. Not long ago, Id seen some photos of Margaret online. She was saying how much she was enjoying her time away and living life to the fullest. I felt genuinely happy for her. I truly believe Margaret made the right choice. Age shouldnt be a barrier to happiness, nor should it stop anyone from trying something new and wonderful in lifeEmily huffed, her cheeks flushing. For a moment, she seemed lost for words. Then she gathered her bag and stood up abruptly.
I just never thought shed be so… independent, she muttered, as if independent was a newly discovered flaw.
I watched her leave, shaking my head with a smile. The flat door clicked softly behind her, and I was left in the quiet with my thoughts. Through the open window, I could see the blossom trees waving gently, and I suddenly felt a surge of hope for Margaretand maybe even for Emily, someday.
Because sometimes, the bravest thing a mother can do is show her children that happiness isnt something you hand down like old furniture. Its something you go and find for yourself. And as Margaret shared her sunlit photos from the coast, glass of wine gleaming in her hand, I realized that at any age, theres no better legacy to leave than the freedom to choose joy.
From now on, whenever I think of Margaret, Ill picture her with wind in her hair, laughing at the edge of a brand-new adventure. I hope, one day, Emily sees her that way too.
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