My son and his wife gave me a flat when I retired
Today, my son Edward and my daughter-in-law Charlotte arrived at my door with a set of keys and explained they were taking me to a solicitor. I was so astonished that I could barely speak, so I only managed a quiet, Why are you giving me such an extravagant gift? I dont need this!
Edward just smiled and said, Its a little retirement bonus, Mum. You can let it out to tenants if you like!
At that time, I hadnt even sorted out my pension yet Id barely been out of work for a week. Theyd done all the organising without me and, of course, I started insisting there was no need, but they told me not to argue.
Ill admit, my relationship with Charlotte hasnt always been smooth sailing. Sometimes we get on like a house on fire, and then out of nowhere a little storm whips up between us and it hasnt only been her, Ive been to blame as well. It took us both a good while to figure out how not to snap or bicker. Thankfully, in recent years, weve managed to find peace between us, thank goodness.
When my sister-in-law Judith heard about the flat, she rang straight away to congratulate me, and then, in her usual way, gave herself a pat on the back, Well, clearly Ive raised my daughter well, seeing as she didnt mind you being given such a generous present! Then she added that she herself would never accept such a gift and would have turned it down in favour of her grandson.
That night, I couldnt sleep, just wondering whether I could get by on a pensionits not as if I need much all told. The next morning, I called my grandson, Oliver, and tried to gently suggest that perhaps he might want the flat set up for him. Hell be sixteen soon, college is just around the corner, and hes bound to have a girlfriend one dayhe cant really be bringing her round to his parents place.
But Oliver just grinned at me and said, Gran, dont worry! I want to earn my own way!
The flat was turned down by everyone. I offered it to Charlotte, to Oliver, even back to Edward.
It reminded me of something that happened to my eldest sisterher sister-in-law got rid of her house, and in the end, she had to move into council housing, clinging as tightly to her little room as a drowning man to a lifebelt.
Or Uncle James… Its been fifteen years since he passed away, and his inheritors are still at each others throats because they couldnt divvy up his things without falling out.
Then there was that television programme I watched once, with a family just like oursa mother and father whod put their house in their sons name, only for him to throw them out and sell the house, leaving his parents on the street.
At some point, the tears just camemaybe from gratitude, or sheer pride in my children. After stopping by the pension office, I learnt my pension would be two thousand pounds a month, and then, much to my surprise, Edward managed to let the flat for three thousand pounds monthly. At that moment, I realised just how truly magnificent this gift from my children was fit for a queen!
