My grandparents only died a few years ago, and my parents are still alive. My dad isn't doing well, but my mom is doing great. My husband and I will have grown children by the time she passes away. Her mother died at 94.
I figure I'll be in my 60s or 70s before my mom passes away. Who wants to wait around for an inheritance.
I took my 80 year-old Mom to the doctor today, and to lunch.
And I just hung the phone up from talking to one of her two (out of 11) remaining siblings, her sister, who has inoperable, incurable liver cancer. My aunt lives several states away from me, but we have always been close, and since she was diagnosed she has called me, or me her, daily.
Their Mom (my Granny McCoy) had 11 kids, about 50 grandkids, and many greats and great greats.
None of them have, ever had any money. When my Dad died he had no money. But he left me an inheritance far more valuable than gold, the ability to enjoy the simple pleasures in life.
Like fishing. Watching the sun rise on a lake, with birds feeding in the shallows, while a lone deer drinks from the shoreline.
As I looked at my little 90 pound, wiry, grey-haired Mom from across the table today at lunch (her, of course yakking like crazy and reminding me of my manners) I counted my blessings.
I thank God for every minute I have left with her, faults and all, including all of the many mistakes and shortcomings she had throughout our journey together. There were many, but I don't remember them now, just want to enjoy and cherish every moment we have left.
I can't imagine placing a value on what parents are going to leave you. I do have my Dad's fishing float tube hanging on my cabin wall, and all the memories of him whistling while floating around in it (whistling, he always whistled, even though he had little money), and all the great times, a valuable lessons he taught me on those fishing trips.
I guess I am rich, after all.