Deborah Marks was a young, single mother of two, but her devotion to her terminally ill grandmother, Tessa, was unwavering. Tessa had always been a constant, loving presence in Deborah’s life, especially when her own mother, Martha, had been emotionally distant and cold. Now, as Tessa approached the end of her life, Deborah was determined to return the love and care that her grandmother had given her throughout her childhood.
Despite the challenges of her own life—managing her children, her job, and the demands of caregiving—Deborah made the decision to move into her grandmother’s home. She took six months of unpaid leave from work to care for Tessa in her final days. Martha, however, was not as involved, choosing instead to go on a three-month world cruise without any regard for her mother’s health. While Deborah took on the emotional and physical toll of nursing Tessa, her mother remained indifferent.
Tessa’s Last Days
During the final months of Tessa’s life, Deborah tenderly cared for her, often holding her hand and providing comfort. Tessa’s pain subsided with medication, and they spent hours reminiscing, talking about Tessa’s life. Deborah would tell her grandmother how much she loved her, kissing her frail hands and assuring her she would always be in her heart. These moments were precious, as Deborah knew her time with Tessa was coming to an end.
When Tessa passed away peacefully, her last smile was directed at Deborah. While Deborah wept, holding her grandmother’s body, she felt that Tessa was now free from pain. Sadly, Martha, despite having returned from her cruise, was not present at her mother’s side. She had made it clear that she found the presence of the sick repulsive and, even worse, had said so loudly enough for Tessa to hear.
Deborah’s attempt to inform her mother of Tessa’s death was met with cold practicality. Martha had no sentimental attachment to her mother’s passing and was immediately focused on the logistics of the estate, dismissing any emotional response.
A Will With a Message
When the will was read, it was clear that Tessa had left her estate in a straightforward manner. She left the house to Martha, but there was one item that Tessa specifically bequeathed to Deborah: an old peach brocade couch from her parlor. Despite the couch’s worn condition, Deborah cherished it, as it was a tangible connection to her grandmother’s memory. Martha, uninterested in the couch, dismissed it as worthless, telling Deborah to come and take it if she wanted it.
Deborah, knowing the couch was all that was left for her from Tessa, arranged for a friend with a truck to help her transport it. The couch was large and heavy, but it was precious to Deborah, a lasting symbol of the love and care she had received from Tessa throughout her life.
The Hidden Gift
As Deborah began to clean the couch, she discovered a hidden surprise. Under one of the cushions, she found a large black velvet bag, which contained jewelry boxes and an envelope with her name on it. The envelope held a letter from Tessa, explaining that she had left her most valuable jewels to Deborah, hidden away in the couch to keep them from Martha’s greed.
Tessa’s letter read, “I wanted to pass on to you the jewels my grandmother gave me, but I know my daughter all too well. Martha would find a way to cheat you, so I’m giving them to you this way, so you can enjoy them and she will never know.”
The jewels inside the boxes were stunning—precious and priceless. As Deborah looked at them, her tears fell, not just from sadness but also from the overwhelming love she felt for her grandmother. Martha, meanwhile, searched the house in vain for the jewels, but found nothing. Her greed had blinded her to the truth, and her coldness had caused her to lose what she desired most.
Lessons in Love and Greed
This story teaches us several important lessons. Deborah’s actions showed the depth of her love and loyalty. She gave Tessa the care and attention she had never received from her own mother, reflecting the idea that we should be there for our parents and grandparents in their final moments, just as they were there for us when we were born.
Martha’s greed and cold-heartedness, however, led to her downfall. In her relentless pursuit of her mother’s wealth, she lost not only the jewels but also the opportunity for any real emotional connection with her mother. Her behavior was a stark contrast to Deborah’s selfless care and devotion.
In the end, love and kindness proved to be more valuable than material wealth. Tessa’s legacy was passed on to Deborah, not just through the jewels but through the memory of a granddaughter who had given her everything, just as she had received everything from her grandmother.
