My story begins with a mother-in-law that I found challenging and who didn’t think I should be friends with her son. However, in the end, I realized that my assumptions about her and her intentions were incorrect. I discovered some startling facts about her, my marriage, and my life after she died away.
I was out of town the day my mother-in-law (MIL), Betty, died away. Despite her long illness, her death came as a shock, and I was unable to get a ticket back in time. To put it mildly, my husband’s mother may be described as complicated.
She was the kind of person who kept her feelings within, and she was never fond of me. However, with time, she accepted the reality that I was her son’s wife, and for me, that was sufficient.
Upon returning home, I discovered a cardboard box with a message attached on my doorstep. The message said, “For Maddie.” When alone yourself, open. Greetings, Betty. I was unable to speak. Her message shocked me since my MIL had never told me she loved me.
I picked up the package and ran inside to open it, mixed feelings running through me. My husband was still at work when I placed the box on the kitchen table, ready to open it and see what was inside. When I opened it, my hands shook, and what was inside completely upended my marriage!
There was a note inside, sitting on top of an envelope full of cash. In addition, the letter was addressed to me in Betty’s dainty penmanship. When I gently opened it, I read the things my mother-in-law had intended me to know after she passed away.
To Maddie, please
I hope this letter finds you in good health and that, per my request, you are reading it by yourself. There is so much I want to tell you, and all I can hope is that you will see past my lack of voice while I was here.
To start with, I really apologize to you. You have to have sensed my remoteness and coldness, and I sincerely apologize for any hurt I may have caused you. In all honesty, I never detested you. Conversely, I have always thought highly of you. I observed your diligence, kindness, and trustworthiness—qualities that are uncommon and priceless.
My distaste for you did not motivate my distance; rather, it sprang from my regret that you wed my son. Maddie, you’re worthy of so much more! I think remaining with him will kill all of your aspirations since you have so much potential.
You misjudge the man you believe to be my son. He is abusing you and preventing you from realizing your own potential. Maddie, there’s more. I’ve been aware of his infidelity toward you for a very long time. Instead of someone who lies to you, you should choose someone who will value and respect you.
I regret not being able to speak these things while I was still living. I recognized myself in you, and the idea that you would become stuck in a life of unrealized potential, just like me, crushed my heart. I see you making the same decisions that I regret making when I became a housewife.
However, there is still time for you. Not only is the money in this envelope for your future, but it’s also for your freedom. If you decide to use it for a divorce, then do so. Alternatively, you might utilize it to embark on your adventure and follow your professional goals.
I wish for you to lead the life that I lacked the courage to lead. Maddie, you have so much to offer the world. Never allow anyone to restrict you. Dare to be the woman that God intended you to be.
With all my heart and apologies,
Betty
I started crying as soon as I heard Betty’s comments. More than anybody else, the lady I assumed detested me had the ability to recognize me for who I really was! Her remarks served as a catalyst for me to take back control of my life and go after my goals.
I felt closer to her then than I had ever felt before, even though we were never close. I’m not sure if it was wishful thinking on my side or just my imagination, but I could feel her presence right away. I said out, “Thank you.”
I made the choice to respect her desires and start down the path to a future I had all but given up on.
My life has changed drastically in the short months after reading my mother-in-law’s letter. I quickly began making arrangements to depart after taking her message to heart. Dealing with my spouse, Luke, over his extramarital affair was among the most difficult things I had ever done.
I waited till that evening, when he got home from work. I continued, “Luke, we need to talk,” my heart thumping in my chest as I spoke steadily.
He gave me a startled expression. How are you, Maddie?
As I raised the letter, my hands were shaking. From your mother, this. It was left for me by her. She was aware of your adultery with me.
His countenance turned pallid. “Maddie, I.”
“Don’t,” I cut you off. “Excuses are not what I want to hear. I’m through.
In the days that followed, there were a lot of challenging talks and sad revelations. At first, Luke denied everything, but ultimately, the truth was revealed. It had been over a year since he had seen someone else! Betty had seen right through our false marriage long before we did.
The money my MIL gave me and the note she wrote were my lifelines. I moved out of the house and filed for divorce. It felt simultaneously freeing and terrifying! I moved into a little apartment downtown and focused entirely on my work.
I’d always wanted to start a bakery, and now I had the resources to achieve it thanks to Betty. Weeks became months as I gradually started to put my life back together. I started working toward my ambition by enrolling in a cooking course.
My new flat was cozy despite its little size. I rehearsed new recipes every night, and the delicious smell of cinnamon and vanilla filled the air. My phone rang one evening as I was preparing dough for some sourdough bread. My dearest buddy Jenna was there.
“Hi, Mads! How are you doing? With her usual cheerfulness, she inquired.
“Jenna, I’m doing OK. Really delicious, in fact,” I grinned. “I’m developing some new bakery recipes right now.”
“That is incredible! I’m very happy for you. Listen, next month there will be a small company fair. It would be great if you could have a booth to display your work.
The concept was exciting but yet intimidating. “Jen, you know what? I believe I will.
For me, the expo was a turning moment. I prepared, honed my recipes, and designed my booth for weeks on end. When the big day finally arrived, I was a nervous wreck! But as soon as people tasted my bread and pastries, they had nothing but great things to say!
I received a bunch of business cards and many catering inquiries before the end of the day! I muttered under my breath, “Thank you again, Betty,” as I packed up my booth feeling as though I could feel Betty’s presence once again. I might never have had the confidence to follow my aspirations if it weren’t for her gift.
She had given me more love and support than I could have ever imagined, even though I knew she had been a challenging person in life.
After a year, the community had learned to appreciate “Betty’s Blessing,” my bakery!
It was a quaint small store with a friendly, inviting ambiance. There were framed portions of Betty’s letter to me and photos of my work hanging on the walls. I was ready to welcome both new and returning clients as soon as I opened the doors each morning to the aroma of freshly baked bread and coffee.
One day the bell over the door jingled while I was setting up a platter of lemon tarts in the showcase. When I looked up, I saw an elderly woman enter the store, her gaze interestedly sweeping the space. She smiled warmly as she stepped up to the counter.
Hello there. It’s a beautiful location, she remarked. “My name is Mrs. Green. I moved into the area not too long ago.
“Mrs. Green, welcome to Betty’s Blessing. My name is Maddie. Could I give you a sample to try?
Her eyes glowed as she glanced at the exhibit. “Everything appears to be really tasty. Please give me one of those lemon tarts.
She closed her eyes in joy as she took a bite of the sample tart that I had given her. Maddie, this is amazing. I will most definitely return!
Her remarks made me feel proud! For myself and everyone who came in, the store had really become a godsend. It served as a reminder that occasionally, the most lovely transformations in our lives can result from the most unexpected gifts.
As I shut down the store that evening, I stopped to consider how far I had come. I was able to escape a life that wasn’t intended for me and follow my genuine love because of my MIL’s remarks. I was confident that Mom would be pleased with my achievements.
I looked up at the sky and murmured, “Thank you again, Betty.” “For all the things.”
Although the trek had been difficult, each step had been worthwhile. I had created a new life for myself, found my vocation, and unearthed a power I never knew I possessed. And it all began with a package that a woman who ultimately showed me more affection than I could have imagined put on my porch.