I always knew my mom’s things would become a problem \u2014 not for their value, but because they were pieces of her. She died when I was 12. I’m 26 now, and her jewelry, wedding ring, and watch are all I have left of her.<\/p>\n
When I was 15, my dad gave me all her belongings \u2014 not out of sentiment, but because his then-girlfriend tried to steal them. I caught her snooping, and when I confronted her, she tried to slap me. Dad dumped her, but it wasn\u2019t the first time someone tried to take Mom\u2019s things. My aunt once stuffed Mom’s pearl pendant in her purse. After that, I moved everything to my grandparents\u2019 for safekeeping.<\/p>\n
At 17, Dad met Rhoda. I moved out at 18. They now have five kids, two daughters. Just before their wedding, Dad sat me down and asked me to “share” Mom’s things: her Claddagh ring for Rhoda, her necklace for Lynn, her bracelet for Sophia \u2014 even her wedding ring, which had belonged to my grandmother. He said it would make Rhoda feel like “his one and only.”<\/p>\n
Then he asked me to gift Mom’s watch to Rhoda to help us \u201cbond.\u201d I just said one word: No<\/strong>.<\/p>\n He pushed. I told him, “Buy them their own jewelry. Mom wasn\u2019t their family.” The next day, Rhoda called, playing the victim. \u201cWhat kind of daughter are you being?\u201d she asked. I replied, \u201cYou’re 38. I’m 26. Let that sink in.\u201d<\/p>\n She claimed the girls needed something of Mom\u2019s to feel connected. I told her: \u201cToo bad. It\u2019s mine. You\u2019re getting none of it.\u201d<\/p>\n Later, my dad sent a guilt trip text. I ignored it.<\/p>\n At the wedding, I handed Rhoda a gift. Her face lit up \u2014 until she opened the box and found old cleaning rags my mom used. \u201cYou wanted something she used and loved,\u201d I said. \u201cHere you go.\u201d<\/p>\n Then I walked out smiling. Mom would\u2019ve been proud.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" I always knew my mom’s things would become a problem \u2014 not for their value, but because they were pieces of her. She died when I was 12. I’m 26 now, and her jewelry, wedding ring, and watch are all I have left of her. When I was 15, my dad gave me all her…<\/p>\n