A year ago I was a happy woman. I had a strong, close-knit family, a wonderful husband, two wonderful daughters, and a job I loved.
Everything was fine until my older daughter Agnieszka got married. Her husband Mariusz is a very rich young man, but money didn't spoil him. Her son-in-law was very nice and loving. He practically carried my daughter in his arms and never refused her anything.
But Agnieszka wasn't ready for unexpected wealth. After the wedding, she slowly started to distance herself from us. At first, we took it calmly: a young family, new worries. And then…
My daughter started to avoid us, making excuses when I invited them both to visit, explaining it was her husband's business meetings, and yet she didn't want to come herself. Meetings, joint business trips, trips out of town… Agnieszka always had some excuse or urgent matter to take care of.
I was surprised by their workload and even felt sorry for them. Until one phone call put everything in its place.
-Agnieszka, where have you been? – I called my daughter again. – Everything's fine?
-Mom, everything's fine – my daughter replied reluctantly.
-Why haven't you called me in a month? – – I was surprised.
-I didn't have time, so I didn't call – my daughter complained. – We just got back from Italy. And next weekend we're going out of town.
-Oh, why didn't you say anything! – I perked up. – I missed you so much.
-Mom, I'm not inviting any of you! – my daughter suddenly replied sharply. – There will be people from higher society there. Please tell me what you'll talk about with them? About planting seedlings correctly? What's the best way to get rid of the Colorado potato beetle? Or the best flour for buns? They'll laugh at us! How can we go out in public after this?
-So you're ashamed of us… – I had an epiphany — D— I'm sorry, honey… – Without waiting for an answer, I hung up. Tears of resentment and pain flowed from my eyes. This is not how we raised our daughter. So why is she behaving this way?? There was only one answer and it was very unpleasant. Our girl likes money and rich people so much that she is ready to abandon her family to be accepted in this circle.
Our family is simple: I'm a baker, my husband is a mechanic, and my younger sister is a veterinarian. In general, everything is like most people. We live an ordinary life, we don't pluck stars from the sky. And she's now in the elite… Except Agnieszka is an English teacher by profession.
When my younger daughter saw me in tears, she pulled the reasons for my despair out of me. I didn't think Urszula was such a smart girl! She started explaining to me that Agnieszka was enchanted by her wealthy surroundings, but true wealth remained with us – family, support, and selfless love.
I went to bed with a flood of thoughts, but much calmer. In the morning, I got up with my head clear of bad thoughts. I came to the conclusion that as long as Agnieszka wasn't hurt, I should give her time to miss what was true and unchanging in our family – selfless love.
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