Shortly before my grandmother "left," I already understood what was going on. I didn't have long to live... She lived through the war, all the worst times, and raised her three children practically alone.
As a person who went through the war, being in her 85th year of life she received an increased pension. For age + for wartime. And she managed to save all money (not much, by the way). She was able to live thriftily, so that her house always had something to eat and was clean.
The only disappointment was my grandmother's son. Fate was that he divorced his wife, remained "ownerless", and was all his life drinker and irresponsible. He took my grandmother's pension and spent it on his own needs.
Our grandmother had two grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. She always tried to give everyone a little money to please them. Her son Vitya was always indignant, saying, how is it that everyone lives in the city, rarely visits, and you give them money...
And one day in the middle of summer grandmother said to everybody: come, it will be our last meeting. As she felt...
My husband, son, and I "blew it off" on the second day, though we had planned to come during our vacation. Two weeks later.
When we got there, Grandma was already quite "bad". My uncle Vitya, not quite sober, was walking by, watching us.
My grandmother was in tears, pulled out old photographs and letters from her youth, reread them, looked at them and wept. It was as if she was confessing.
We sat next to my husband. My tears were flowing, I understood everything, realized everything.
And then my grandmother handed me ten thousand rubles that she had saved for each of my grandchildren and great-grandchildren...
I refused, saying: "Don't, grandma, what are you doing!
But old-school people don't give up that easily. Grandma slipped two five-thousand-dollar bills into my pocket and said:
- This is from the heart, granddaughter. Take it. It's the same for everyone. I won't take it with me to the coffin...
Uncle Vitya, circling over us like a kite, was not happy. He even said:
- You'd better give them to me! You give it to everyone, as if you have so much money!
Grandma waved her hand at Uncle Vitya.
Grandma couldn't walk well anymore, and she had her own room. She asked me to accompany her... I guess under the pretext of being alone...
You know, I'll never forget this iron bed with mattress, fluffy pillows stuffed with goose feather, this "velvet" modest plaid with poppies and perfectly tidy grandmother's bed...
She sat down on the edge of the bed and told me very slowly, literally chewing:
- Raechka, remember my, grandmother's words! Time is easier now, but always spend less than you earn. Man needs a lot less than we all think he needs. Go shopping less.
- Also, Raecheka, listen to your husband... even if he's wrong. Agree. And do what you do. Be wiser. The most important thing is the comfort and peace of mind in the home that a Woman gives...
I didn't quite understand those words then....
Three weeks went by and our beloved grandmother was gone... I don't want to and won't describe my feelings... I was depressed for a long time...
I took her words and words of advice to heart only when we got into trouble in the family.
My husband was fired from his job (he worked as a crane operator and earned good money). I worked as a saleswoman and the salary was twenty-six thousand rubles. It was hard, I'll say that. I wanted to nag my husband for the lack of work.
But I found strength in myself. For a while I kept the family on my "backbone".
Half a year later my husband was offered a job as a truck driver. He agreed. It's been five years since he worked.
Thanks to my beloved grandmother for her wise words and guidance.
Life is a complicated thing where patience is important...
Don't judge too harshly and thank you to everyone who reads!
Goodness to every home!
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