Betrayal is among the most devastating feelings, but it takes on an even more horrible dimension if it comes from a close family member.
That’s the case of Josie, who felt utterly crushed when her son lied to her.
The devoted mother made a decision to give her house to her son and his young wife so they could comfortably start a family, but things took a turn that Josie wouldn’t have expected in a million years. She sent a letter to us to share her story and ask for advice.
Here’s her story
I live alone in a 3-bedroom house. My recently married son kept saying that it was the perfect home to start a family, so I ended up giving it to them while I went to live with my widowed sister.
Yesterday, my son told me that his mother-in-law is moving in with them. I said, “I didn’t leave my home to have her live with you.”
My daughter-in-law declared, “We lied about starting a family right away. We are not ready yet; we’re too young.” She added, “But my mom is alone. We have a big house now, so she will come live with us.”
I was furious and said that I didn’t agree to this arrangement. I reminded her that it is still technically my house.
My son then stated, “My MIL is much more in need of us than you are. She’s my family too now and I have to take care of her.”
I feel betrayed and heartbroken. What should I do?
Honoring Remarkable Women: Take a Moment to Remember Their Inspiring Stories!
Within the quiet walls of Livonia, Michigan, a pall fell over the convent as it witnessed the profound passing of a number of revered sisters, cornerstones of the Roman Catholic society. Their withdrawal left an irreplaceable hole in the convent’s everyday activities. These esteemed women were adored as writers, committed educators, and even a dependable secretary from the Vatican office.
Numerous people were impacted by their lives, and both the church and the larger community were greatly saddened by their passing. Nevertheless, their incredible bravery and unity shone through their sorrow. They were extremely vulnerable due to their advanced age, but they persevered in the face of hardship, their unyielding attitude a sign of their unwavering faith.
Families of the deceased repeated stories of their close-knit relationship, which was developed via communal living, work, and prayer. This tragic incident serves as a sobering reminder of the frailty of life and the ties that bind us together. It is reminiscent of the devastation caused by the 1918 influenza epidemic.
In the wake, unanswered questions clouded the otherwise peaceful sanctuary. How had the illness gotten beyond the walls of the monastery, where contact with outsiders was strictly forbidden? Given that the nuns were susceptible to the infection, why were the proper safety measures not followed?
Sadly, it was discovered that two of the convent’s assistants had unintentionally brought the virus, a serious mistake that would have disastrous repercussions. Unchecked, the virus killed one nun nearly every day until all thirteen had perished, infecting eighteen others who were still alive but not surviving.
Those who witnessed this terrifying ordeal struggled with the virus’s unrelenting toll and the sorrow that darkened every day that went by. The grief process for their fellow sisters was made much more difficult by government-imposed regulations and the ongoing fear of infection, adding layers of agony to an already intolerable burden.
The head of clinical health services, Noel Marie Gabriel, acknowledged the agony that engulfed the community as she spoke about the emotional cost of the situation. The experience, which lasted from April 10 to June 27, was a somber episode in the convent’s past and left a lasting impression on everyone who saw it.
Let’s pay tribute to these amazing women, whose lives were examples of faith, resiliency, and unshakable dedication, while we consider this awful incident. May their memory live on as a ray of light in the shadows, and may their spirits rest in peace forever.
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