They say children bring joy, and the same can be said for grandchildren. Naturally, I agreewhen you dont have too many and you have the means to care for them. My husband, Richard, and I have a daughter, Emily. As fate would have it, when Emily turned 19, she startled us with the news that she was expecting a baby. She ended up giving birth to twins and got married soon after.
Suddenly, our world turned upside down. A young mother with two infants, and her husband, Tom, was just as young, barely earning enough to scrape by. The burden of supporting them landed mostly on our shoulders. Both Richard and I took extra work just to provide for our daughter and the grandchildren.
For a time, they all lived with us. Each morning, Id head off to both jobs, and by night, Id care for the twins so Emily could rest. Naturally, my health started to falter.
This went on for three years. The family managed to stand on their own feet somewhat, the children grew a bit, and then Emily rang me to say she was pregnant again. My immediate response was that it might be better not to go through with the pregnancy. Raising two children isnt easy. But she insisted, determined to have the baby. She gave birth, and the old routine began anew. More money needed, another mouth to feed. Richard and I threw ourselves back into work. Although Tom was earning more, it wasnt enough to support five people.
Then Richard had a stroke, and I started suffering from heart pain. I realised our bodies just couldnt cope with the burden anymore. I told Emily that it was time for them to manage on their own. Not long after, she rang me with yet more newsshes expecting her fourth child.
I was simply lost for words. What were they thinking? Its as if they assumed Richard and I would always support them. We just cant anymore. I dont know what to do now, and I dread being judged for not helping our only daughter. But truly, weve given all we can.
