When my daughter got married, she told me my apartment would be the perfect place for her and her husband to begin their new life together. It was a spacious four-bedroom home, and since I lived there alone, I wanted to give her the best possible start. So, I handed over the keys and moved into a small but cozy cottage with my sister.
At first, I felt proud knowing the home I had worked so hard for would now shelter the next generation. But just a few weeks later, when I came to visit, I was shocked. The apartment I had lovingly cared for was completely unrecognizable.
Rooms were cluttered, things were broken, and the warmth that once filled the house felt gone. I didn’t say anything right away. Instead, I quietly walked through each room, remembering all the memories those walls once held.
Later, I sat down with my daughter and gently explained that a home is more than just walls and furniture — it carries the love, care, and effort we put into it. If neglected, even the most beautiful house can lose its heart.
That conversation wasn’t easy, but it opened her eyes. Over time, she and her husband worked to restore the place. In doing so, she learned an important lesson: receiving a gift is easy, but honoring it takes responsibility.
