Deborah Marks was a young single mom with two little kids. She loved her grandmother, Tessa, very much. When Tessa became very sick and knew she didn’t have much time left, Deborah didn’t think twice. Taking care of her grandma wasn’t just a duty — it was something she wanted to do with all her heart.
Tessa had been like a warm light in Deborah’s childhood. Unlike Deborah’s own mother, Martha, who was cold and distant, Tessa always showed love and kindness. Now, in her last days, Tessa needed Deborah more than ever.
But life was hard for Deborah. Raising two children alone meant she had little time or money to spare. Still, when Tessa asked to die at home, Deborah made a brave choice.
She asked her boss for six months off without pay and moved into her grandmother’s house — bringing her kids with her.
Meanwhile, Deborah’s mother, Martha, did something shocking. Instead of staying close to her dying mother, she booked a three-month world cruise — a fancy trip around the world — and refused to cancel it.
Martha said she didn’t want to deal with the “smell of sick people,” and she said it loud enough for Tessa to hear.
For four long months, Deborah became Tessa’s nurse and her closest companion. She cared for her grandmother tenderly, changing bandages, giving medicine, and holding her hand through the pain. Deborah treated Tessa like one of her own children.
When Tessa’s pain eased a little, the two would spend quiet hours talking. Tessa would share stories from her long life — tales of love, loss, joy, and hardship. Deborah listened carefully, holding Tessa’s thin, wrinkled hands in hers and kissing them gently.
Every day Deborah whispered, “I want you to know how much I love you, Granny. You’ll always be in my heart.”
Tessa would smile softly, her eyes closing slowly as the medicine helped her rest.
One evening, that peaceful sleep never ended. Tessa gave Deborah one last sweet smile, and then she slipped quietly away — her hand resting against Deborah’s cheek.
Deborah cried hard, holding her grandmother’s fragile body close. But she knew Tessa was finally free from pain, and that brought a tiny comfort.
She called Martha. “Mom, Gran’s gone. If you want to come say goodbye, you can.”
Martha’s voice was cold and sharp. “I’ll see her at the funeral, won’t I? Right now, we need to get the death certificate and start on the estate.”
Deborah was stunned. “The estate? What do you mean?”
Martha sneered. “The money, the house — the house should be worth a lot. And don’t forget the jewels Gran got from her grandmother. They’re valuable.”
Deborah’s heart sank. “How can you think about money right now? This isn’t the time.”
Martha snapped, “Because I’m a practical woman, Deborah! Not a sentimental fool like you and your grandmother.”
Before Deborah could say anything more, Martha had already arranged the funeral, called the lawyer, and set the date to read the will.
The will was simple. Tessa left the house to Martha — everything inside it belonged to her, too. The only thing Deborah got was an old peach-colored brocade couch from the parlor.
Martha grinned as she walked out of the lawyer’s office. “If you want that old couch, Deborah, you better come and get it by the end of the week. I’m putting the house up for sale.”
Deborah called a friend with a big truck to help her move the couch. It was huge, heavy, and worn-out, but Deborah loved it already. It reminded her of Granny Tessa, of all the love she had given.
At home, as Deborah started to clean the couch, she lifted one of the heavy cushions and felt something strange beneath the fabric. She found a big zipper! Her hands trembled as she opened it, revealing a black velvet bag hidden inside.
Inside the bag were several jewelry boxes and an envelope addressed to Deborah.
Her hands shaking, Deborah opened the envelope and read her grandmother’s last words:
“My dearest Debbie, I want you to know how much I’ve loved you. You’ve been the greatest blessing in my life.
I wanted to leave you the jewels my grandmother gave me, but I know your mother too well. Martha would try to take them from you. So I hid them here, in this old couch, where she’ll never find them.
Remember, my dear, I love you. Remember me. And one day, please pass my legacy to your own granddaughter.”
Tears blurred Deborah’s eyes as she looked at the sparkling jewels inside the boxes. They were priceless, shining brightly even through her tears.
Meanwhile, Martha spent weeks tearing through the house, turning it upside down looking for those jewels. She found nothing. Her greed and coldness had brought her nothing but frustration.
In the end, Martha never got what she wanted. She never had the love of her grandchildren like Tessa had with Deborah.
What can we learn from this?
Our grandparents and parents care for us when we’re born. We should be there for them when they are old, too. Deborah gave back the love and care she had received as a child — with all her heart.
And those who are selfish and greedy? They often lose what they want most. Martha’s coldness cost her her mother’s precious jewels — and her family’s love forever.