She had missed too much.
Now she was trying to stop missing what remained.
PART 23 — ETHAN’S PARENTS
One of my greatest fears was that money would complicate my relationship
with Margaret and Robert.
So I addressed it directly.
We met with separate counsel concerning any estate interests and
settlement allocations affecting Ethan’s estate.
I did not want generosity, guilt, and legal entitlement mixed together.
Margaret squeezed my hand.
“We don’t want your money.”
“I know.”
“We want you.”
That nearly broke me.
Robert looked toward the window.
“You’re our daughter whether you remarry someday or never do.”
I cried.
My own parents had taught me that family could withdraw when my needs
became inconvenient.
Ethan’s parents taught me another version.
Family could remain even after the person who connected you was gone.
They never asked me to choose between grief and a future.
That became one of the greatest gifts anyone gave me.
