I felt I was at my happiest when I was 72 years old and retired.
All three of my sons, Mario, Carlos, and Ricky, are now married.
I built our big, five-story house in Quezon City for the whole family because I wanted us all to be together.
I thought that was what “success” meant.
I had no idea that this would be the hardest thing I would ever have to deal with as a mother.
I woke up around 2:00 a.m. one night with a sore throat.
As I proceeded down the stairs, I saw that the kitchen light was still on.
I figured someone had left the switch on, but when I drew closer, I heard a soft voice.
Lara (Carlos’s wife), Grace (Mario’s wife), and Dina (Ricky’s wife) were all sitting together and sipping coffee.
And what I heard…
I felt like ice was falling down my back.
“Our mom still has the papers.” She wasn’t careful, therefore she could have died.
“We’ll do it if it helps people.” We need to make a plan now.
“We can get her to sign it and pretend she has legal papers.” “It’s easy for her to lose focus because she’s old.”
And the worst part is…
“Come on, Grandma, let’s go!”
I was shaking with anger and fear.
I slowly moved away, afraid they could hear me breathing.
When I got back to my room, I couldn’t sleep.
By the time the sun came up, I had already made up my decision.
I rushed downstairs before anybody else woke up and put my 5 million pesos and three property deeds in my bag. One was for a house in Quezon City, another for a plantation in Batangas, and the last for a lease in Cavite.
I grabbed a taxi and headed to Laguna, where my youngest daughter Liza lives. She is my one and only child.
She has lived there with her husband, Arturo, for a long period.
I assumed I was safe there because they were the only ones who didn’t talk about money.
When I got there, Liza was shocked.
“Mom! Why didn’t you say that? What happened?
I didn’t get a speedy response.
I didn’t even hold her close since my eyes were full with tears.
“Daughter,” I whispered softly, “I just want you to rest for a while.” Take a break for a while.
It seemed like I was breathing again for the first two days.
Liza was always happy and loving, and she always had hot broth on the table.
I thought the troubles were done.
There was calm once upon a time… It’s only for a short time.
I was watering the plants in the backyard one Saturday afternoon when I heard my son-in-law Arturo talking on his cell phone.
Even though it was soft, I could hear his voice clearly:
“Yes, dear, Amelia is here.”
“She gave them titles.”
“If you get your signature, the committee will split, just like the talk.”
It felt like all the blood had suddenly departed my body.
I was about to drop the bucket.
I couldn’t believe it. My daughter and son-in-law, who I trusted, even had a plan for my things?
I shook and leaned against the wall.
As soon as he turned around, I pretended to be busy with the plant.
Since then, though, I’ve been on edge.
I took my bag out that night and set the titles on the table after everyone had gone to bed.
I also wrote a letter:
“Don’t fight over things you didn’t work hard for if I lose.”
The church and the orphans will get the land and money.
What I’ve given you isn’t a treasure; it’s a lesson:
Jealousy will wreck a family, no matter how much money they have.
The next day, I packed the securities in an envelope and took them to the bank.
I set up a benevolent trust fund for my three innocent granddaughters, who I hope won’t grow up to be as greedy as their parents.
That night was three years ago.
I live in a little house with a dog.
I only need my grandkids to come over every now and again.
Liza said that Arturo cried when he discovered that he couldn’t get a dime.
All I can say is:
“It’s better to lose money than to go crazy.”
And that’s when I got it: riches isn’t about land or money; it’s about being still.
You will really know who loves you when your family puts you in charge of money.
In the end, it’s not money that will make you happy; it’s the kindness of your heart and the peace of your soul.
I, Grandma Amelia, left the big house in Quezon City three years ago with five million pesos and three property titles.
I presently live in a small house in Tagaytay. I plant flowers, care for dogs, and teach the kids next door about the Bible.
It’s quiet, simple, and daring.
I would sip a cup of coffee every morning when the light came up over the hills.
I say to myself a lot:
“Life doesn’t have to be noisy.” Peace is all you need.
But one Sunday morning, that peace was suddenly broken…
While I was watering a plant, I heard a car drive up in front of the door.
A voice I knew said, shaking,
“Mom… So, Liza, how are you?
I couldn’t believe it. No one had seen him in three years.
When I got outside and saw his face, which was gaunt and worn but had tears in his eyes, I could only say:
“Son…”
He hugged me tightly and cried like a kid.
“Mom… “Please forgive me, Mom. I don’t know everything.”
I rubbed his back and stood there with my hands shaking.
I didn’t know what to say first, but I started to cry for both of us.
THE TRUTH AFTER A LONG TIME OF NOT SPEAKING
When Liza calmed down, she told me everything.
“Mom, I didn’t know Arthur was behind it all.”
My brothers helped him out.
Everyone wants what you have.
They say, “I’ll get the money if you die.”
She nodded and wiped her tears away.
“But Mom, everyone fought when you lost.
Your daughters-in-law are quite sad.
Arthur… They were also fooled.
I used it too.
That made me feel better.
There is no anger, only kindness.
People would do everything for money, even leave their family behind.
“Daughter, I wish they had never understood,” I said quietly. Stealing peace has never made anyone rich.
I walked to my room and took an old envelope out of the drawer.
I signed papers that said I would give all of my money to a charity called “Amelia’s Hope Foundation,” which helps disadvantaged youngsters go to school.
I gave it to Liza.
“This, my child. This is why I don’t need to be angry.
It will all go to kids I don’t even know, but I’m sure they won’t cheat me.
Liza cried and held me.
“Mom, I would have stopped them if I had known.”
I smiled and wiped my daughter’s tears away.
“You don’t have to stop people who are blinded by money, my child.
You can only see with your heart.
A month later, the three sons I loved the most, Mario, Carlos, and Ricky, came to my residence in Tagaytay.
There were no more luxurious cars or luxury items, just three sad-looking individuals.
They got down on their knees and sobbed like children.
“Ma, please forgive us.
The money is gone, and the family is in pieces.
“There’s nothing left but shame.”
I stepped up to them and gently put my hands on their shoulders.
“Kids, I’m not angry.
But I hope you know that love is worth more than money and honor is worth more than land.
We hugged in the middle of the small courtyard as the sun began to drop.
And for the first time in years, I actually felt at ease.
Every Sunday, my kids and grandkids come to Tagaytay to see me.
Stop fighting and talking about money.
I like the basic things in life, like being alone with rice, the smell of coffee, and a real hug.
Liza got down next to me and said,
“Mom, don’t you want to waste your money?”
“Mom, don’t you want to use your money?”
I just smiled.
“No, son. I now know that the family that has learnt to love again after being greedy is what really matters.
Sometimes you have to lose everything to find the most essential thing, which is love.
You can buy a house with money, but you can’t buy a home.
Some mothers forgive even after being injured because they realize that love and understanding are the only things that can make a family whole again.
