Untitled chapter
The Inheritance
Forward or Preface
It all started as the old lady lay in bed gasping for her last breath, her brood of children and grandchildren by her side. Drifting in and out of consciousness she was waiting for her beloved eldest son to come but they knew that would not happen. He too was facing his own mortality and could not, or would not make the arduous trip to say his goodbyes. The family whispered quietly in the darkened room which was filled intermittently by the rasping breaths of the old lady. They had whispered quietly to her that it was all right to go, she had their permission but still she waited, waited for one last look, one last hug with her first born.
The family sat, reading, knitting, quietly chatting and listening. The breaths grew shallower, stopping for a while before one more deep breath. It was almost time. The door opened and in peeped a nurse. How’s it going she asked. Enough for the old lady to stir thinking her son had arrived. She opened her eyes and called his name. No he’s not here they said, soon maybe. She settled in the belief he would come. Again the breaths became slower, longer lapses in between, then suddenly her eyes opened and she said “bugger I am still here”. She looked around the room and said each child’s name and each grandchild’s name as if she was checking and remembering, to take with her on her journey. To her youngest daughter’s partner she said “you take care of her” and to her youngest daughter “finish what you have started”. They knew what she meant. Then her eyes closed and the laboured breathing started again.
It was time, but she was not ready. What was she thinking in those last hours. Was she thinking of the life she had, of the people she had lost. Her own parents, her husband and youngest son. Now on her own but not alone. Her sister and best friend was by her side but soon too she would be gone. On her own for the past half a dozen years and not able any more to do the things she had previously loved. Not able to get around easily and maybe now feeling a burden on those around her. It was her time to go to her family that had gone before.
Again she stirred and took her older daughter’s hand. Don’t let her have my money she said in barely a whisper. Promise me. “I promise Mother“ she said, we have done what we need to, don’t worry. A pained smile crossed the old lady’s face. It had concerned her for so long and even now at the end of her life it appeared to be her biggest worry. She didn’t have much. In fact her husband had left her little other than their house. They had been simple people, he a hard worker but not good with money but always provided for his family. Their furniture was comfortable, simple, nothing much of value at all. Her sister had left a small amount which she had invested wisely, so although not rich by any standards, in her dotage she was comfortable and what she had was to go to her immediate family. That was her wish.
“I promise Mum” said the daughter, “we all promise, quiet now”. She settled back with a certain comfort, that all would be right when she was gone. The time drifted, she in and out of consciousness, still not quite ready. It was tiring for all, they not wanting her to go, but needing her to go. She had had a full life, a hard but mostly happy life for the most part.
Then suddenly, as the time was long, she was gone. A quietness descended as all said their final goodbyes, each left with their own thoughts.
