A startling revelation surfaced in my grandfather’s will: he had been listening to everything we said about him for months while feigning deafness. Our family’s covert avarice and sincere love were revealed as his true feelings emerged in the attorney’s office, leaving us all in disbelief and permanently altered.
The best was my grandfather. He was my favorite person in the world when I was a tiny child. Grandpa Harold’s boundless jokes and laughter could brighten up any room. He had a mischievous sparkle in his eye and a heart full of love for his family no matter what.
After Grandpa died, I was left feeling incredibly empty. I missed our lengthy conversations, his astute counsel, and most of all, his lively personality. I’ll never forget the time Grandpa pulled off an ingenious practical joke that went viral among our family.
Grandpa chose April Fool’s Day to pull a practical joke on everyone. He claimed to have concealed a $100 bill throughout the house.
After spending hours dismantling the entire space, we discovered a message reading, “Fooled you! ” in the cookie jar. Our shared moments are the greatest riches. Grandpa’s eyes sparkled with happiness as we all laughed.
Now I was sitting in the attorney’s office and I couldn’t shake the sadness. The family was going to hear Grandpa’s will shortly after his passing. Everyone was anxious, but I thought they would all get what they desired. After all, Grandpa was a giving person.
After clearing his throat, the attorney started to read Grandpa’s letter.
“Hi there, cherished family! Many of you will be quite disappointed when you leave this room today since you didn’t receive your wish. Furthermore, because I’ve been acting fake for the past two months, probably only one person will leave here smiling. In reality, I didn’t lose my hearing. Everything you said about me was heard by me. Now, let’s begin with my beloved son John.”
John, you’ve always been a good son, but I heard you recently lamenting how much of a burden I was becoming. You mentioned that you were eager for the “old man” to die so that you could take possession of my money. You’ll be saddened to hear, John, that you will not be getting a single penny.”
John leaned back in his chair as his cheeks flushed bright red.
The attorney went on, “To Susan, my daughter. Susan, I heard you talking on the phone a couple times when you were in the adjacent room. I’m not sure who you spoke with, but I knew you had a lot of debt and that you were counting on my passing to give you my estate and pay them off. Thus, you receive $1. I hope it’s sufficient to pay off your bills.”
“What?” shrieked Susan. There’s no way this is real! I didn’t say that at all!”
With a composed gaze, the attorney said, “Susan, here is what your father wrote. Let’s proceed.”
The space became tense. With no idea what was going to happen next, everyone shifted in their chairs.
Tears clouded Susan’s eyes. She began to sob and shout. After that, the attorney went on to my cousin Emily.
“You were always so lovely to me, Emily, but you were eager for me to pass away behind my back. You laughed at the idea of taking my money and placed wagers on how long I would last. Emily, nothing will be given to you either.”
Emily was in complete shock. She cast a disbelieving glance about. Tension and conflicting feelings pervaded the room. While some felt relieved, others were inconsolable. But the greatest surprise was still to come.
The attorney concluded, “And lastly, to my dear granddaughter, Jane.” My throat tightened around my breath. “You talked to me for hours, Jane, sharing details of your life and hearing my stories. I’ve never felt like a burden from you.
“Every interaction I had with you was filled with your sincere love and caring. I am giving you all I own, including my homes and my firm, in exchange for that. Peter, my deputy, will assist you in managing the business, but once you graduate from college, you will be on your own.”
I was taken aback. My grandfather’s business was extremely valuable. I had always loved him for the wisdom and happiness he brought into my life, not for his wealth. The attorney went on, “Jane, I trust you to run the company with the same integrity and love you showed me,” and I started to cry. Make me feel honored.”
I started crying, but I couldn’t stop laughing after the attorney was done reading. My grandfather had skillfully set up the ideal examination, exposing everyone’s actual nature. We learned a great lesson from his devious hoax about love, greed, and the important things in life.
“Jane,” gently said Peter, “I didn’t know Grandpa was organizing this.” However, I’ll try my best to support you with the business.”
I said, “Thanks, Peter,” still trying to take it all in. “I guess we have a lot to talk about.”
John was enraged. “This is not fair! I was his offspring! I was due for more!”
Susan continued to cry and said, “We all did. This is really inhumane.”
After remaining silent, Emily finally spoke. This might be exactly what we needed. An alarm. Grandpa was always able to change our perspective on things.”
John stated, “I guess there’s nothing we can do now,” with a defeated expression. It’s finished.”
The attorney gathered up his files. “Please do not hesitate to contact my office with any inquiries. But keep in mind that this was Harold’s last request.”
The family started to scatter one by one. While some continued to complain, others were lost in contemplation. Emily, who appeared both relieved and dejected, and I stayed behind.
“Jane,” Emily replied kindly, “Harold noticed something unique about you. He was certain you could manage this.”
“I really hope so,” I said. “I just want to make him proud.”
She gave me a hug. “Jane, you will. You’ve always done so.”
Thinking back to Grandpa’s last deed, I couldn’t help but smile as we left the attorney’s office. The whole family took it as a wake-up call. We all gained knowledge that day; some felt embarrassed, while others felt thankful.
True wealth is determined by the love and respect we give and receive, not by the amount of money or other belongings. My grandfather’s last deed was evidence of his insight and special method of imparting knowledge to all of us that we would never forget.
As I stepped outside into the sunlight, I felt at ease. Grandpa left behind more than just his wealth; he also left behind love and wisdom. I was aware that I was in for a significant task, but with Grandpa’s memories at my disposal, I felt prepared to take on whatever lay ahead.
With Alzheimer’s, my grandfather could only recall one woman, to whom he made a proposal in front of our entire family.
Even in the face of the toughest reality, do you think there are times of pure magic? Imagine this: a man suffering from Alzheimer’s unexpectedly pops the question to his true love, bringing the entire room to tears. You won’t soon forget my Grandpa Jim’s touching tale.
The sweetest man has always been Grandpa Jim. He was the center of our family, always smiling, and he would tell the greatest stories. For all of us, seeing him get diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and start to lose his memory has been really difficult.
Seeing the man who used to know everything about us scramble to recall our names or his whereabouts is sad. Grandpa Jim was my childhood hero. He was a strong, towering man whose laugh could shake a room.
Grandpa would tell the most charming stories around the backyard campfire every summer when our family got together. He told us stories of his childhood travels throughout the country one evening while the fire roared and the stars shone overhead.
With mischievous eyes, he remarked, “There was this one time I hitchhiked all the way to California just to see the Pacific Ocean.” The best choice I’ve ever made, excluding marrying your grandmother.”
Our family get-togethers were always made more enjoyable by Grandpa Jim’s anecdotes. He possessed the ability to breathe new life into the past, giving us the impression that we were there with him through all of its ups and downs.
However, those times seem like a lifetime ago. Grandpa has faded into a shadow of his former self these days. He has lost so much to the illness, as have all of us. I heard my mother conversing with Aunt Linda in the kitchen one evening.