a flashy car. She lived in the same modest home for over 40 years, with faded floral wallpaper and furniture that hadn’t changed since the 1970s. Every decision she made seemed to be filtered through a single question: Can I do without it?
We smiled and nodded, lovingly indulging her quirks. But we never really looked deeper. We never thought to ask why she lived the way she did.
That is, until she passed away.
The Gift Card
It was a cold morning in early February when we buried Grandma. Her passing wasn’t unexpected — she had lived a long, full life — but that didn’t make it any easier. In her will, she left each of us a small memento. Nothing extravagant, just little things she thought we’d appreciate.
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