When Gabby’s brothers discover that their mother bequeaths her everything in her will, they lose control and abandon her. In the end, they find their way back to their roots after learning their lesson.

I knew things would change the moment I walked into our family lawyer’s office. My brothers had gathered around me, and as the lawyer continued to discuss Mom’s possessions, they became more agitated. We were all waiting to hear Mom’s final words, so there was a lot of stress.

I knew my brothers were eager to see what Mom had left for each of them, even though I didn’t want to be there. Nevertheless, none of us anticipated what would occur.

My three brothers, Robert, Tasmin, and Maya, all got to go before me. I was used to coming in last because I was the youngest and had always done so. But the expression on their faces when they opened the envelopes the lawyer gave them, I will never forget.

There was denial, disbelief, and surprise. Next, it was my time. I received a thin white envelope with a dollar inside, along with my brothers. Instead, though, I felt a folded letter. Before I could even take it out and read it, Maya pulled it out of my hands.

“What the hell, Gabby?” she howled. It caused the attorney to gasp.

She said to Tasmin and Robert, “You guys.” According to this letter, Mom gave Gabby everything. The home, her whole fortune, and an undisclosed bank account. That’s all, Gabby? “Because nobody else cared except for you”?

To be honest, when I spoke it aloud, it did seem impolite. I had no motivation to desire to be the star child. Being present for my mom when she was ill seemed right since I loved her so much. I didn’t do it because I expected to be paid. My mother was the reason I did it.

However, my siblings had already formed their opinions. They had too much on their plates and were too busy to take a break. Tasmin put in extra hours at work, Maya had two children, and Robert was just Robert. He had no desire to be with his family.

Contrary to what Maya believed, the letter told them everything, not to make them feel worse. but to convey Mom’s thoughts and emotions instead. Mom had been hurting all the way up until her death. Her oldest kids had moved out.

The dollar apiece they received was a sign. To recall what they hadn’t given Mom when she needed it most, they had to give her some tough love.

But there I was, suddenly handling a letter that felt like a hot coal. I touched my finger against the paper and it ached.

“I didn’t ask for this,” I tried to reassure them.

Not that they were listening. Tasmin was frantically texting on her phone, Robert was glancing at his watch, and Maya was looking at the calendar on her phone.

“Listen!” I exclaimed. and they gave me a raised gaze. “I need you to comprehend who I am.”

They didn’t.

My brothers neglected me for weeks after that, and I experienced a wide range of emotions.

Following that, they began to communicate rather than quarrel over the will.

At Mom’s place, we gathered together, cooked, and shared memories of the past. We discussed the good and the bad, including all the curfews that Robert had broken as a mischievous child.

With time, the space between us began to decrease.

In the end, we decided that while I would continue to call my apartment home, Mom’s house would serve as our family’s gathering place and place.

“Let’s 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 brothers concurred, so we went to the bank together to settle the dispute.

I firmly believe that Mom’s final lesson had nothing to do with who was present for her or who gave the greatest care. Determining her feelings throughout those final few months was the goal. She instilled in her children the values of forgiveness and remembering that we were still a family when they were little.

It was neither easy nor fast. In a way, though, Mom’s final wish did come true: we grew closer as siblings once more—not because we were rich or guilty, but rather because we shared the experience of losing a loved one.

Every month, we still have our family dinners at each other’s homes. Regardless of how busy life gets, making sure we always make time for each other has become a new habit.

I’m sure Mom is proud.

If you were me, how would you have responded? Would you have retained the house and the money?

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