My mother-in-laws birthday falls on the 1st of January, so today we go to visit her. Out of the blue, she suddenly asks,
Emily, are you expecting?
I share a wonderful relationship with my mother-in-law, Margaret. My husband and I have been married for seventeen years, and we have two sons. Late last year, I discovered I was pregnant again, for the third time. Id been planning to tell Margaret on her birthday, but I was honestly quite anxious.
You see, our little family lives in a modest two-bedroom flat, and space is already tight for the four of us. I was 38 at the time, not exactly a spring chicken for pregnancy. I kept worrying that Margaret might judge me.
But when her birthday arrives, I muster the courage and head over with my husband and children. Almost as soon as we walk in, Margaret calls me into the kitchen to lend a hand. Shes an incredibly perceptive womanshe seems to figure it out immediately, without me needing to say a word.
Im taken aback by her insight, but even more surprised by her reaction. Margaret beams at me and confides that shes desperately been hoping for a granddaughter.
With Margarets blessing, I give birth to a beautiful daughter this summer. For the third time, my mother-in-law proves an invaluable help, always there to care for the baby and support us in every way. Im deeply grateful, and treat Margaret as if shes my own mum.
Winter soon comes round again, and we gather at her house for her birthdaythis time, with a little princess in tow. Since shes been on a baking spree, we decide the perfect gift is a new oven.
After the celebration ends and were about to head home, Margaret stops us. She asks for a moment to make an announcement.
She says shes truly grateful for her granddaughter and wants to thank us by offering something special. Margaret explains that shes planning to move into our flat, so shed like to give us her own two-bedroom home. Im absolutely speechless. Once again, I feel so lucky to have such a good-hearted, wise mother-in-law, whos become both a friend and a mentora rare blessing in anyones life.
We continue to live together in happiness and harmony. I deeply admire my mother-in-law and hope that one day, Ill have her wisdom too.
