La vida

Ten Years as the Cook and Caretaker in My Son’s Home—Yet No Word of Thanks A Former Teacher Retires at 55, Moves in with Her Son’s Family for a Decade, Sacrificing Her Freedom for Grandchild Care—Unappreciated Until She Finally Rediscovers Joy in Her Own Independence at Sixty-Five

For ten years, Margaret worked as a cook in her sons home and received barely a word of thanks.

La vida

07

“Mum, I’m Getting Married!” Cheered the Son “That’s nice,” replied Sonia with little enthusiasm. “Mum, what’s wrong?” asked Victor, surprised. “It’s nothing… Where do you plan to live?” she squinted. “Here. You don’t mind, do you?” Victor replied. “It’s a three-bedroom flat, surely we’ll all fit?” “Do I have a choice?” Sonia asked. “We can’t exactly afford to rent,” her son said gloomily. “So I really don’t have a choice,” Sonia said resignedly. “Mum, rents are so high now we’d barely have money for food,” Victor insisted. “It won’t be forever. We’ll save up for our own place much quicker this way.” Sonia shrugged. “I hope so… All right, you can move in and stay as long as you need, but on two conditions: We split the bills three ways and I am not going to be anyone’s housekeeper.” “Fair enough, Mum, whatever you say,” Victor agreed immediately. The young couple had a simple wedding and all moved in together: Sonia, Victor and his new wife, Irene. From the moment they arrived, Sonia seemed to have a new lease of life. Every evening, when the newlyweds got home, the house was a mess and there was nothing cooking. Sonia was always out: one day at choir rehearsals at the Community Centre (“They say I’ve got a great voice, you know!”), the next day at a poetry reading (“You remember how much I love Shakespeare!”), or at coffee and bingo with her new friends—all pensioners enjoying themselves until late, taking over the kitchen with laughter, tea, and biscuits brought from the corner shop. She purposefully refused to do any household chores, leaving everything for Victor and Irene. At first, they didn’t complain. Then Irene started giving sideways looks. Next they grumbled, and finally Victor resorted to loud sighs. Sonia ignored it all, embracing her active lifestyle. One day, she came home singing “Greensleeves,” and announced cheerfully, “Good news, children! I’ve met a wonderful gentleman and we’re off to a spa together tomorrow. Isn’t that lovely?” “It is,” Victor and Irene agreed in unison. “And is it serious, Mum?” asked Victor, secretly worried about one more moving in. “We’ll see after the spa,” Sonia said, helping herself to soup and seconds. When she came back, she was disappointed: “Alex wasn’t my type, so I’ve moved on. But life is still ahead of me!” She kept up her busy social calendar, her circle of friends growing. Eventually, one day Irene snapped, slamming the empty fridge: “Sonia, couldn’t you help with the housework? The flat’s a tip and there’s no food! Why should we do everything?” “And what’s got you so wound up?” Sonia replied with genuine surprise. “If you lived on your own, who’d do those chores?” “But you live here!” Irene argued. “And I’m not going to be some sort of Mrs. Mop for you. I’ve served my time! I warned Victor straight away: I won’t be the maid. If he didn’t tell you, that’s not my fault,” Sonia said. “I thought you were joking…” Victor mumbled. “So you want a free ride AND for me to tidy your mess and cook? Absolutely not! I said I wouldn’t, and I won’t! If you’d rather, you can always live on your own,” Sonia declared, and went to her room. The next morning, she cheerfully sang, did her lipstick and put on her best blouse, and set off to the arts centre—her choir was waiting.

Mum, Im getting married! my son said cheerfully one sunny afternoon. Thats nice, I replied, doing my

La vida

04

Bittersweet Happiness: Why Can’t You Accept This Girl? She’s Lovely, Modest, Tidy, a Good Student, and She Loves You! Elena Looks Disapprovingly at Her Son—A Story of Failed Romances, Maternal Advice, Unexpected Love on a Train, a Patchwork Family, and the Joys and Trials of Welcoming a Special Daughter

BITTERSWEET HAPPINESS What is it you dont like about this young lady? Shes a lovely girlmodest, tidy

La vida

012

Nobody Expected Him Back: A Family Torn Between a Wandering Father and the Steadfast Uncle, as School Finishes and Life Moves On

Didnt Expect Him Our dad left ages ago to find work somewhere, and vanished for good when I was in Year

La vida

05

When a Man Breaks: The Night Stepan Came to My Village Surgery Weighed Down by Wife and Mother-in-Law, and How a Little Kindness Saved a Family

Wearied by the Wife and Mother-in-Law It was on one rain-soaked eveningoh, I remember it as clearly as

La vida

08

Take Him Wherever You Like, Do Whatever You Want with Him, I Can’t Handle It Anymore!

One night, while on the night shift at the hospital in York, I overheard a fragment of a colleagues phone call.

La vida

05

What’s Dad Going to Say? Stylish Outfits for Every Father

Frederick slipped into his flat and immediately felt something was off it was dead quiet. Are they napping?

La vida

07

Bitterness at the Bottom of My Soul “It’s high time the children’s home took you in! Get out of our family!” I screamed, my voice cracking with fury. The target of my utter indignation was my cousin, James. Oh, how I adored him as a kid! Sandy blond hair, dreamy cornflower-blue eyes, always up for a laugh – that was James. Family gatherings were frequent in those days. Out of all my cousins, James stood out. He could charm with words like a master storyteller, and he was a talented artist. He’d sketch five, even six pictures in an evening with nothing but a pencil. I’d gawk in awe, sneak the drawings away, and hide them carefully in my desk. I treasured James’s creations. James was two years older than me. When he was 14, tragedy struck – out of nowhere, his mum passed away in her sleep. Suddenly, everyone was asking, “What will happen to James?” First, people tried his biological father, but he was difficult to track down. Divorced from James’s mum for years, he’d started a new family and “didn’t want any disruption.” The rest of the relatives shrugged: “We’ve our own lives, our own kids…” Turns out, family’s close at midday, but when darkness falls, it’s nowhere to be found. So, with two kids of their own, my parents became James’s guardians. After all, his late mum was my dad’s little sister. At first, I was excited: James would live with us! But… On his very first day in our house, I noticed something unsettling. Wanting to comfort him, my mother asked, “Is there anything you’d like, James? Don’t be shy.” James didn’t miss a beat: “A Hornby train set.” I should mention – that was an expensive toy, especially then. I was stunned – his mum had died, and he was dreaming about a train set. How could he? My parents bought it immediately. But then it never stopped… “Buy me a tape recorder, jeans, a branded jacket…” This was the ‘80s – those things were pricey and hard to get. Still, my parents, stretching every penny, fulfilled the orphan’s wishes at the expense of their own children. My brother and I tried to be understanding. When James turned 16, he discovered girls. He was a hopeless flirt, constantly chasing after them – including me, his own cousin. But I was sporty, always dodging his sleazy advances, and we even came to blows. I often cried my eyes out. My parents never knew. Kids rarely spill secrets that private. When I rebuffed him firmly, James wasted no time shifting his attention to my friends – and they competed for it! And then James stole. Oblivious and shameless. I remember my piggy bank – I’d saved lunch money to buy presents for my parents. One day, it was empty. James denied everything, cool as a cucumber. My heart shattered – how could he steal from us, his family? He trampled our trust. I sulked and stewed, but James genuinely didn’t see what he’d done wrong – he truly believed everyone owed him. That’s when I started to hate him, and shouted for him to leave. I lashed out at James, said things that couldn’t fit in a hat… Mum barely calmed me down. From that moment on, James ceased to exist for me. I ignored him in every possible way. Later, it turned out other relatives knew what kind of ‘character’ James was. They’d seen things we hadn’t, since we lived in another part of town. James’s old teachers had warned my parents: “You’re taking on a burden – James will ruin your own children.” At his new school, James met Kate, who fell deeply in love and married him straight after graduation. They had a daughter. Kate endured his antics, constant lies and endless affairs. As the saying goes: “If you think you’ve suffered as a single girl, married life will double your woes.” James would always exploit Kate’s love – she seemed bound to him for life. He was called up for National Service, stationed in Yorkshire. There, somehow, James started another family – apparently during weekend leave. After demob, he stayed behind in Yorkshire because he had a son. But Kate, undaunted, tracked him down and, by hook or by crook, got him back. My parents never received a word of thanks from James, though that’s not why they took him in. Today, James Edward is 60, a regular churchgoer. He and Kate have five grandchildren. Life seems fine, but the bitterness from my dealings with James never left me. And I still can’t stomach honey with him, even now…

BITTERNESS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE SOUL The Council should have taken you years ago to some home!

La vida

014

“Mum, I’m Getting Married!” Cheered the Son “That’s nice,” replied Sonia with little enthusiasm. “Mum, what’s wrong?” asked Victor, surprised. “It’s nothing… Where do you plan to live?” she squinted. “Here. You don’t mind, do you?” Victor replied. “It’s a three-bedroom flat, surely we’ll all fit?” “Do I have a choice?” Sonia asked. “We can’t exactly afford to rent,” her son said gloomily. “So I really don’t have a choice,” Sonia said resignedly. “Mum, rents are so high now we’d barely have money for food,” Victor insisted. “It won’t be forever. We’ll save up for our own place much quicker this way.” Sonia shrugged. “I hope so… All right, you can move in and stay as long as you need, but on two conditions: We split the bills three ways and I am not going to be anyone’s housekeeper.” “Fair enough, Mum, whatever you say,” Victor agreed immediately. The young couple had a simple wedding and all moved in together: Sonia, Victor and his new wife, Irene. From the moment they arrived, Sonia seemed to have a new lease of life. Every evening, when the newlyweds got home, the house was a mess and there was nothing cooking. Sonia was always out: one day at choir rehearsals at the Community Centre (“They say I’ve got a great voice, you know!”), the next day at a poetry reading (“You remember how much I love Shakespeare!”), or at coffee and bingo with her new friends—all pensioners enjoying themselves until late, taking over the kitchen with laughter, tea, and biscuits brought from the corner shop. She purposefully refused to do any household chores, leaving everything for Victor and Irene. At first, they didn’t complain. Then Irene started giving sideways looks. Next they grumbled, and finally Victor resorted to loud sighs. Sonia ignored it all, embracing her active lifestyle. One day, she came home singing “Greensleeves,” and announced cheerfully, “Good news, children! I’ve met a wonderful gentleman and we’re off to a spa together tomorrow. Isn’t that lovely?” “It is,” Victor and Irene agreed in unison. “And is it serious, Mum?” asked Victor, secretly worried about one more moving in. “We’ll see after the spa,” Sonia said, helping herself to soup and seconds. When she came back, she was disappointed: “Alex wasn’t my type, so I’ve moved on. But life is still ahead of me!” She kept up her busy social calendar, her circle of friends growing. Eventually, one day Irene snapped, slamming the empty fridge: “Sonia, couldn’t you help with the housework? The flat’s a tip and there’s no food! Why should we do everything?” “And what’s got you so wound up?” Sonia replied with genuine surprise. “If you lived on your own, who’d do those chores?” “But you live here!” Irene argued. “And I’m not going to be some sort of Mrs. Mop for you. I’ve served my time! I warned Victor straight away: I won’t be the maid. If he didn’t tell you, that’s not my fault,” Sonia said. “I thought you were joking…” Victor mumbled. “So you want a free ride AND for me to tidy your mess and cook? Absolutely not! I said I wouldn’t, and I won’t! If you’d rather, you can always live on your own,” Sonia declared, and went to her room. The next morning, she cheerfully sang, did her lipstick and put on her best blouse, and set off to the arts centre—her choir was waiting.

Mum, Im getting married! my son said cheerfully one sunny afternoon. Thats nice, I replied, doing my

La vida

019

Mum, I’m Getting Married! – announced Victor cheerfully. “That’s nice,” his mother, Mrs. Sophia Parker, replied rather flatly. “Mum, what’s wrong?” Victor asked, surprised. “Nothing… Where do you plan to live?” his mother squinted at him. “Here, if that’s alright? It’s a three-bedroom flat, surely we’ll all fit?” Victor responded. “Do I even have a choice?” his mother asked. “Well, renting’s really expensive…” Victor said glumly. “So, no choice then,” Mrs. Sophia muttered, resigned. “Mum, rent is so high these days, we’d barely have money for food!” Victor pleaded. “It’s not forever, we’ll save for our own place. We’ll get there much quicker this way.” Mrs. Sophia shrugged. “I hope so… Here’s the deal: you move in, stay as long as you need, but there are two conditions—bills split three ways and I’m not the housemaid.” “Of course, mum, agreed!” Victor replied immediately. The newlyweds had a simple wedding and moved in together: Mrs. Sophia, Victor, and his bride, Irene. From the very first day, Mrs. Sophia always seemed to have somewhere urgent to be. When the young couple came home from work, she was out, leaving empty pans and a messy flat—just as the newlyweds had left it. “Mum, where were you?” Victor asked one evening. “Oh, darling, I was invited to join the Folk Song Choir at the Community Hall. You know I have a voice…” “Really?” Victor said, surprised. “Yes! You’d forgotten, but I mentioned it before. It’s mostly other pensioners like me. I had a lovely time! I’ll go again tomorrow!” Mrs. Sophia said excitedly. “And tomorrow—choir again?” Victor asked. “No, tomorrow is a poetry evening. We’ll read Shakespeare—my favourite, you know.” “Really?” Victor repeated, bewildered. “I told you! You never listen to your own mother,” Mrs. Sophia chided gently. Irene, the daughter-in-law, watched quietly without saying a word. Ever since her son married, Mrs. Sophia seemed to catch a second wind. She joined all sorts of senior clubs; her circle of friends grew, and they’d often visit for late-night tea and biscuits, bringing snacks, chatting, and playing bingo. Sometimes Mrs. Sophia was out for walks—or she’d get so engrossed in her dramas that she didn’t hear the kids come in. She pointedly avoided all housework, leaving everything to Victor and Irene. At first, they said nothing. Then Irene began to give side-eye, then grumbled with Victor, then Victor started to sigh loudly. But Mrs. Sophia paid them no mind, delightedly living her active, golden-years life. One day, she came back home beaming, humming “Greensleeves” under her breath. She breezed into the kitchen where the young couple were glumly eating their soup and announced: “Children, you can congratulate me! I’ve met a wonderful man—we’re off tomorrow to a spa retreat together! Isn’t that lovely?” “It is,” Victor and Irene agreed in unison. “And is it serious?” Victor asked, wary about a new housemate. “Too soon to say—I’ll know after the spa!” Mrs. Sophia declared, helping herself to soup and seconds with a hearty appetite. After the trip, Mrs. Sophia returned disappointed: Alex wasn’t her match, she said, but she insisted her best days were still ahead. Her clubs, walks, and gatherings continued in full force. In the end, one evening the young couple came home to an unkempt, empty kitchen—nothing to eat. Irene had enough, slammed the empty fridge door, and snapped: “Mrs. Parker! Would you mind helping out with the housework? The flat’s a tip and the fridge is bare! Why should we do all the chores and not you?” “And why are we so cranky?” Mrs. Sophia replied, taken aback. “If you lived alone, who’d clean up for you?” “But you’re here!” Irene objected. “I’m not your servant, I’ve done my years of housework! I told Victor, I’m not the maid—those were my terms. If he forgot to mention them to you, that’s not my fault. I’m not doing it! If you’re unhappy, you’re free to live elsewhere!” declared Mrs. Sophia, heading to her room. The next morning, humming “Early One Morning” to herself, dressed in a smart blouse and bright red lipstick, Mrs. Sophia set off for the Community Hall—her Folk Song Choir was waiting.

Mum, Im getting married! I said cheerfully. Thats nice, replied Margaret, my mother, without much enthusiasm.