The story of Edith Gray and her children serves as a poignant reminder of the complexities and challenges that can arise in family relationships, especially as parents age and need the support of their grown children. It is clear from the start that Edith’s children, Addison and Lewis, are initially taken aback by their mother’s decision to sell their family home and move into a nursing home. However, as the narrative unfolds, it becomes clear that Edith’s motivations are rooted in a desire for independence and self-preservation rather than a need for care in a nursing facility.
Throughout the story, Edith’s children show a lack of empathy and consideration for their mother’s well-being, prioritizing their own lives and desires over her needs. Addison’s resentment of her mother’s attempts at reconnection and Lewis’s neglect after her father’s death highlight the strained dynamic between parent and child.
Edith’s decision to take control of her own destiny and assert her independence by selling her possessions and moving to a new town is a powerful affirmation of self-worth and resilience. Despite opposition and criticism from her children, she remains steadfast in her determination to forge a new path, free from the toxic influence of her ungrateful offspring.
The narrative also underscores the importance of setting boundaries and standing up for oneself in the face of mistreatment and neglect. Edith’s refusal to tolerate her children’s indifference and manipulation ultimately leads to her liberation from their toxic influence and her pursuit of a more fulfilling and meaningful life.
When an 84-year-old mother said she was selling their house and moving into a care home, her children were shocked. But honestly, she had no intention of moving into a care facility. Children were at the center of Edith Gray and her husband Terrence’s existence, and they were the type of parents who would stop at nothing to make their children happy.
Of course, nothing ever escaped the attention of their daughter Addison and son Lewis.
But as children grew up and had to take care of their parents, they acted as if their parents were a burden to them. “Mom, stop nagging me all the time!” One day, Addison called Edith and was angry with her. “I have a family now! Plus, I’m expecting. I don’t have time for your useless conversations.”
“However, honey, I was just wondering how you and Josh were doing. I didn’t want to say any of that.”
“Are you serious, Mom? Stop always acting compassionate! If you cared about us, you wouldn’t leave us alone in this one-room apartment! Have you ever thought of inviting us to stay, even though you and your Father have the whole house to yourself?”
“Addison, but you never asked. I took it that you were against moving in with us. In fact, you were the one who was so ready to move out!” “Mom, that was back in my student days. I would like to move in because Josh and I are having a hard time right now and I have to take care of our kids! Are you happy right now? That’s exactly what I asked for!”
“Okay, my dear,” Edith paused. Knowing how strict her daughter was, she wasn’t sure if it would be a good idea to have Addison and her husband at home. She simply settles in and never leaves the house after making herself at home with Josh.
But Edith thought that even if Addison was a bit spoiled and demanding, it wouldn’t be too much of a problem for her, as her second grandchild would be born in a few months.
“Well, Addison,” she replied. “I don’t mind you wanting to move in.”
“I appreciate you doing that.” She replied, “I’ll talk to Josh tonight and let you know when we get there,” and hung up.
When Edith and Terrence talked about what had happened, he was really relieved that Addison would now be living near them.
He assured her that everything would be fine and that they would have more time to be around and spend with their grandchildren.
“You’re okay, love. Everything’s going to be okay,” he exclaimed.
However, Edith suspected that it wouldn’t work. She was right too.
After Addison and Josh moved in, Terrence suffered a heart attack and died two months later. One morning, Edith tried to wake him up and found that he had disappeared while he was sleeping. She let out all the tears but nothing changed. Now that Terrence was gone, she would have to let go.
Edith was incredibly lonely after Terrence’s death, but Addison and Josh did nothing to cheer her up. They kept asking about her welfare or needs because they were too absorbed in their own lives. Then when her son Lewis called, he told her he missed her but didn’t ask about her health or anything else.
“Well, Mom,” he said. “Natasha and I are going to tie the knot next month. She has Indian relatives who are really excited to meet you. Mom, even I miss you.”
Could you spare some time for us this weekend?”
Edith granted Lewis’ desire to make Terrence happy, even though she was still grieving his loss.
The two families got along well, and the wedding was planned in an elegant Florida hall where Lewis was employed.
But a month after the wedding, he asked his mother a strange question.
“Hi, Mom,” he said into her phone. “I actually wondered if Natasha and I could stay at Dad’s old house when I moved. Addison and Josh would make the house too crowded since they already live with you. I hope that house isn’t for sale. You know, it would be nicer than handing it over to a stranger if we could relocate there.”
“Oh, well, I’m not sure I want to rent it since it was the first house your father and I bought. However, Lewis, why are you moving now? I believed you were from Florida.”
Lewis said, “Ugh, Mom,” hesitantly. “We had some ideas about the plans. Natasha wanted to start a company, and as far as my work is concerned _”
“You see, Lewis…” Edith was about to say something when she heard Natasha silence Lewis on the phone. As it turns out, they were going to come back because he was fired from his job.
Edith was ready to reject Lewis; she had had enough of Addison and Josh.
She gave up because she didn’t have the strength to deal with raising Addison and Josh if she refused.
Things seemed to be going well for a while after Natasha and Lewis moved into their former home. However, Edith had just finished when Addison gave birth.
At eighty-four, she continued to work on the small farm she and Terrence owned, and now she had Addison’s new baby to look after.
Her health was suffering from the feeling that she couldn’t take it anymore. She begged Addison and Lewis to take her to the doctor after informing them that she wasn’t feeling well.
“Sorry Mom, Nat and I are busy with something so we can’t,” Lewis replied. You should ask Josh and Addison.”
However, Addison and Josh had previously declined her request, saying that they would make time for it later as they were attending a friend’s party. So one day, seeing her children’s indifference, Edith said she was selling everything she owned to move into a nursing home.
She broke the news during dinner.
“Okay kids,” she murmured. “You must overcome your inability to support yourself. I hereby announce my intention to sell the property and move into a nursing facility where I will receive the care I need until God calls me home because your mother has fulfilled her share of responsibility. Anyway, you have not even given your elderly mother he didn’t give—you’re only worried about your comfort. That’s how I came to my final conclusion.”
Lewis laughed. “Oh, please, Mother. You can’t be serious. We’re not going out like this. No doubt there will be assisted living facilities that will take you in for free. The houses don’t have to be sold.”
Edith scowled at him. “Excuse me! Who gets to decide? Lewis, I own the houses and I can do whatever I want with them.”
Josh and Addison would also move out. It’s their responsibility to raise their children and they have to take ownership of it.”
“But Mom,” Addison shot back. “How can you tell us to get out of here? I have two young children and we have nowhere to go.”
“Okay, honey. This is giving you a headache. I’ve made my choice pretty clear. Tomorrow morning your things should be packed and taken away. Some of the agents I’ve already called will be stopping by.”
Before they left the dinner table, the children hurled a lot of nasty words at their mother, furious at her choice. But Edith was not moved because she had a cunning plan planned to punish her miserly children.
After a week of searching, Edith was able to find two buyers for her two residences and they paid a substantial amount. However, she did not use the money to enter a nursing home. She preferred to buy a unique apartment with an ocean view in a new city where her friend Martha lived.
After Edith explained Addison and Lewis’ behavior, Martha suggested that she move to her town. Edith followed Martha’s advice because she felt the idea made sense.
After moving into the new house, Edith enjoyed spending time with Martha, reliving their earlier years through movie marathons, shopping excursions, and quality time. Although Edith missed Terrence and her two grandchildren, she felt happier and more relaxed now that she wasn’t around her toxic children.
What lessons can we learn from this story?
Don’t give your parents more credit than they deserve. When Edith’s children mistreated her, she taught them a lesson they would never forget.
Reject the idea that showing generosity is a sign of weakness. Edith’s children were shocked when they were kicked out as they had no idea this was going to happen.
If you liked this fairy tale, you might also like this one about a 5-year-old girl who is secretly stalked by a grocery store owner who discovers that she keeps taking leftovers from the store.
This story was written by a professional writer and was inspired by the story of one of our readers. Any resemblance to actual names or places is purely coincidental. All images are for illustrative purposes only. Tell us about your experience.
Before we dive into the conclusion, let’s reflect on Edith’s journey of challenges, betrayal, and ultimately empowerment. In the beginning, Edith’s decision to sell her house and move into a nursing home was met with shock and resistance from her children. Little did they know that Edith had no intention of succumbing to their neglect and mistreatment.
Throughout her life, Edith devoted herself wholeheartedly to her children, sacrificing her own needs and desires for their happiness. However, as she grew older and relied on their support, instead of the love and care she expected, she was met with indifference and selfishness.
Despite their initial mistrust, Edith remained resolute in her decision to take control of her own destiny and reclaim her independence. She refused to be treated as a burden by her ungrateful children and instead chose to forge her own path, even if it meant severing ties with them.
In the face of adversity, Edith has demonstrated strength, resilience, and a fierce determination to live life on her own terms. She refused to be defined by her age or circumstances and embraced the opportunity to start over in a place where she could be surrounded by positivity and support.
Through her actions, Edith sends a strong message about the importance of self-worth, resilience, and the courage to stand up for yourself, even in the face of family pressure and expectations. Her journey serves as a reminder that it’s never too late to regain independence and pursue a life of fulfillment and happiness.
As Edith embarks on this new chapter in her life, she is surrounded by friends who appreciate who she is and her newfound sense of freedom and empowerment. While she may miss her family, she knows she deserves better treatment than she’s received and is determined to live her life to the fullest, unencumbered by the expectations of others.
Ultimately, Edith’s story serves as a testament to the power of resilience, self-love, and the unwavering spirit of a mother who refuses to be forgotten or overlooked. It is a story of triumph over adversity and a reminder that no matter what challenges we face, we always have the power to shape our own destiny.