My dear grandma spent many years living in an old trailer. It wasn’t glamorous, but it was her home, and she made the most of it. Sadly, after her passing, my husband Bernard was more excited about what we could inherit rather than mourning her loss. He was convinced that she had a hidden fortune, despite me knowing she didn’t have millions stashed away. Nevertheless, the rumors of her wealth made Bernard eagerly anticipate a financial windfall for us.
However, my sweet grandma had a different plan in mind.
The Will Reading: A Shock to Bernard
When we went to the lawyer’s office for the reading of her will, I was stunned to learn that my grandma didn’t even own the old trailer she had lived in. Years before, she had sold it to her friend across the street but continued living there for the rest of her life. She used the proceeds to travel—not on extravagant trips, but on simple weekend getaways to places she had always wanted to visit.
Bernard, on the other hand, was furious. He couldn’t understand where her money had gone. “But where is her fortune?” he kept asking the lawyer, who reassured him over and over that there was no hidden wealth.
The Letter: Grandma’s Final Words
After the will was read, the lawyer handed me a letter my grandma had written. The lawyer explained that it was meant for me to read in private. I brought it home and read it alone, while Bernard kept reminding me that anything related to money in the letter belonged to both of us, as we were married.
At that moment, I realized how deeply Bernard’s greed had taken root. For him, everything came down to money.
Grandma’s letter, however, was full of wisdom. As I read her words, tears filled my eyes. She reminded me that it wasn’t material wealth that mattered, but the peace and love we find in life. She encouraged me to never let greed take over, as it only poisons the soul.
Then, she wrote that I should go to the old oak tree behind the trailer and dig a bit. She promised that there was one final gift for me there. It wasn’t a treasure, but something she knew I would cherish.
The Oak Tree and a Hidden Gift
The next day, Bernard and I went to the oak tree. As we dug, we uncovered a bundle of old photographs, a recipe book, and a key. Erna, my grandma’s friend, explained that the key was for a small cottage by the lake, about thirty miles away. It turned out that my grandma had spent much of her time there, enjoying the peace and solitude it offered.
Bernard, eager as always to find the financial value in everything, hurried me to the cottage. When we arrived, it was clear that the cottage was small—a two-bedroom log cabin with creaky floors and a backyard leading to a sparkling lake.
The first thing Bernard said was, “How much do you think we can sell this for?”
Again, it was all about money.
I was taken aback and replied, “Why would I sell it? This cottage belonged to the most special person in my life, and I’m not parting with it for anything.”
It was evident that Bernard was frustrated with me.
Finding Peace at the Cottage
Despite Bernard’s attitude, I found myself spending more and more time at the cottage. Over time, I repainted and renovated it, turning it into a small bed-and-breakfast with Erna’s help. I wanted others to experience the serenity and beauty of the place my grandma had cherished so much.
My grandma had taught me that true wealth isn’t measured by money but by the love we give and the peace we find. As for Bernard, his reaction made it clear to me that our marriage was no longer built on mutual love and respect. When he couldn’t see the value in the cottage beyond its potential sale price, I knew our relationship was at an end.
Moving On and Finding My Sanctuary
The end of my marriage wasn’t easy. It was painful to realize that someone I had loved so much was more interested in wealth than in me. But I knew I couldn’t let someone so greedy remain in my life. I had to find my own peace, just as my grandma had always done.
Now, the cottage has become my sanctuary, a place where I can find true happiness and contentment. It’s not about the money—it’s about the memories, the love, and the lessons I learned from my grandma. She showed me that life is richer when you value peace, love, and the simple joys, not the pursuit of material wealth.
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