The mother-in-law has always been eccentric, and her love for her brother-in-law is obvious. During the festive season, our family always returned empty-handed, while my brother-in-law's family always returned with a full load. I used to comfort myself that as long as the family was in harmony, these material things didn't matter.
However, money is often the best tool to test human nature. The mother-in-law's pension has become a "sweet and sweet" in the eyes of her brother-in-law. Whenever the mother-in-law is unwell, the younger brother and daughter-in-law are always the first to jump out and shirk responsibility for various reasons.
Last year's Dragon Boat Festival, my husband insisted on giving my mother-in-law a red envelope of 2,000 yuan, and although I was reluctant, I agreed. Unexpectedly, this money was used by my brother and daughter-in-law to invite everyone to dinner, but in fact only a small part was spent.
Instead of relying on my mother-in-law's pension, I chose to struggle on my own. From opening the store to buying the house, every step was soaked in my sweat and tears. With my own hands, I proved that I don't need to rely on others to make a good living.
How ironic it is that my mother-in-law fell ill due to overwork, but my brother-in-law threw my mother-in-law's salary card to me at this critical moment. I felt anger and helplessness like never before.
I rejected my brother-in-law's "kindness", and that salary card was not only money for me, but also a kind of dignity. I don't want to lose myself in this unequal transaction.
This incident has undoubtedly exacerbated the rift in the family. My husband's incomprehension, my brother-in-law's selfishness, and my mother-in-law's partiality made me feel isolated like never before.
However, I didn't give up. I decided to take my children back to my parents' home for the Dragon Boat Festival, and use this opportunity to find self-worth and family warmth.
At my mother's house, I felt the long-lost family affection and warmth. The care of my parents and the laughter of my nephews and nieces made me forget my troubles for a while. I began to reflect that perhaps, the meaning of family is not in the amount of money, but in the love and support for each other.
After some thought, my husband gradually realized the seriousness of the problem. He began to try to put myself in my shoes and understand my feelings. Communication between us has also become smoother.
In the hospital bed, the mother-in-law also began to reflect on her own behavior. She realized how much damage her partiality had done to her family. She began to try to change, hoping to make up for her past regrets.
While the scars of the past can't be completely erased, we're all beginning to try to understand and be tolerant. Perhaps, true reconciliation is not to forget the past, but to face it bravely and find a solution to the problem together.
I stood at the doorway of the hospital, looking back at the place that hurt my heart. The salary card in my hand has been returned to my brother and daughter-in-law. I understand that money is important, but dignity and self-worth are even more precious. I have chosen a difficult but correct path, and even if the road ahead is bumpy, I will move forward.
In the days that followed, I began to try to communicate with my mother-in-law and brother-in-law to express my feelings and expectations. Although the process was full of challenges, her persistence and sincerity gradually touched her family. The husband also began to participate more actively in family affairs and take responsibility for himself.
After experiencing this illness, the mother-in-law began to re-examine her own behavior, and she realized that family harmony requires everyone's joint efforts. She began to try to change her approach and treat her family of two sons more fairly.
Although the younger sister-in-law couldn't accept the hero's rejection at first, after some thought, she gradually realized her mistake. She began to try to change and learn how to be a better daughter-in-law and sister-in-law.
Eventually, the family, despite its ups and downs, is trying to grow and change. We began to learn to understand and tolerate, to cherish each other, and to create a harmonious and warm family atmosphere together.
In the face of family conflicts, avoidance and blame do not solve the problem. It is only through communication and understanding that solutions to problems can be found. And in this process, everyone needs to grow and change, and only by working together can we create a truly harmonious family.