Girl Gives Up All Her Savings To Help Her Grandfather, Despite Her Mother’s Estrangement From Him – Story of the Day

It was her mother’s birthday, and Alice cherished these family gatherings. But this time her grandfather Ted hadn’t been invited. When Alice simply asked, “Why?” hermother snapped, a reaction that was unlike her. Alice sensed her grandfather neededhelp, and she was determined to offer it.

Alice sat at the dinner table, the warm glow of candles flickering around the room and casting shadows on the walls. Her parents, Lisa and Terry, were smiling and chatting, celebrating her mother’s birthday.

The table was covered in delicious dishes—roast chicken, mashed potatoes, and freshly baked bread.

The smell of the meal filled the air, comforting and familiar, yet Alice couldn’t focus on the joy around her. She sat quietly, picking at her food, her thoughts far away.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

As her parents laughed and shared stories, Alice’s mind kept drifting to someone who wasn’t there—her grandfather, Ted.

He had always been a part of family gatherings, and Alice missed him dearly. He would tell her amazing stories about his youth, or spin her around in the air until she felt like she could fly.

Grandpa Ted had a way of making her feel special, like she was the most important person in the world. But it had been over a year since Alice had last seen him, and she didn’t really know why.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Her thoughts wandered back to the last time she had seen her mother and Grandpa Ted together. It was a memory she couldn’t forget—her mother shouting at him, her voice louder and angrier than Alice had ever heard.

Alice had been upstairs in her room, but the argument had echoed through the house.

Grandpa Ted had smelled strange that night, and he’d been acting a little off, stumbling over his words.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Alice didn’t understand why, but her mother had seemed furious, yelling something about “broken promises” and “never again.” After that night, Grandpa Ted had disappeared from their lives.

Alice had kept quiet for a long time, hoping that her mother and Grandpa Ted would make up, and everything would go back to normal.

But now, sitting at the dinner table while everyone else celebrated, she couldn’t hold back her questions any longer.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“Why isn’t Grandpa Ted here?” she asked, her voice soft but clear, cutting through the laughter.

The room went silent. Her parents stopped talking, and the warmth in the air seemed to cool in an instant. Lisa’s face changed, her smile fading as she glanced at Terry, who shifted in his chair, looking uncomfortable.

Lisa cleared her throat, taking a deep breath before answering. “Grandpa Ted isn’t coming, Alice. I don’t think he will for a long time.”

Alice’s heart sank. “Why not?” she asked, her voice trembling slightly. “What did he do?”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Lisa’s eyes hardened, and her voice became cold and firm. “Grandpa Ted made some bad decisions, and we don’t need to see him anymore. It’s better this way.”

Alice’s eyes widened in confusion. “But I miss him. Can’t we visit him? He’s still family.”

Before Lisa could respond, Terry gently placed his hand on hers. “Honey, but what about his kidney treatment? He cant afford it…”

“No,” Lisa interrupted, her tone sharp. “I don’t want to talk about him, not today.”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

The tension in the room was thick, and Alice felt tears welling up in her eyes. She looked down at her plate, trying to hold back her emotions.

She loved her grandfather and couldn’t understand why her mother was so angry. What could he have done that was so terrible?

After a few moments of silence, Alice whispered, “May I be excused?”

Without waiting for an answer, she quietly stood up and left the table, her heart heavy. She made her way to her room, the tears finally spilling over as she closed the door behind her.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Sitting at her desk, Alice wiped the tears from her eyes as the conversation from dinner replayed in her mind.

She couldn’t stop thinking about what her mother had said about Grandpa Ted. He had always been so kind to her, telling her stories and making her laugh.

Why was her mother so angry with him? Alice couldn’t understand it. She knew he had made mistakes, but wasn’t he still family? And now he was sick.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

She had overheard her father talking quietly to her mother about how Ted needed money for medication. Could that be why her mother was upset? Maybe she felt that Grandpa Ted didn’t deserve their help after what had happened.

But Alice didn’t feel that way. No matter what Grandpa Ted had done, she still loved him.

She couldn’t bear the thought of him being sick and alone, needing help, and not getting it. Her heart ached for him. She knew she had to do something—anything—to help him.

Her eyes drifted over to the small piggy bank sitting on her shelf. She had been saving money in it for months, dreaming of buying herself a new bicycle.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

She had almost enough to get the one she’d wanted for so long, but now, thinking of her grandfather, the bike didn’t seem as important anymore.

Slowly, Alice stood up and walked over to the piggy bank, holding it in her hands. It wasn’t much, but it was all she had.

For a moment, she hesitated. She really wanted that bike. But the image of her grandfather, sick and in need, wouldn’t leave her mind. He needed her more than she needed a bicycle.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

With a deep breath, Alice wrapped the piggy bank in a towel, then gently tapped it against the edge of her desk until it broke. The sound of the shattering ceramic seemed louder than she expected, but it didn’t matter.

She gathered up the coins and bills, carefully counting them before placing the money into her backpack. It wasn’t a lot, but it was everything she had. Hopefully, it would help Grandpa Ted.

Grabbing her jacket, Alice slipped it on and quietly opened her bedroom window. She knew if she asked her parents to go, they wouldn’t let her.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

It was late, and they were still upset. But she had made up her mind. She was going to help her grandfather, no matter what.

She climbed out of the window just like she used to do when she played outside and tiptoed across the yard to the bus stop.

The night air was chilly, and Alice shivered as she waited for the last bus of the night.

When it finally arrived, she paid for her ticket with some of the coins she had saved and sat down, watching the dark streets pass by. Soon, she would be at Grandpa Ted’s house. She just hoped she could make a difference.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

After what felt like forever, Alice finally arrived at Grandpa Ted’s house. The familiar sight of the old wooden door, with its peeling paint and the creaky porch she used to play on, made her heart race.

Memories flooded her mind—of summers spent there, of laughter and stories shared. But tonight, the house seemed quieter, sadder, as if it shared the weight of the unspoken feelings in her heart.

She hesitated for a moment, gripping the straps of her backpack tightly, then knocked gently on the door.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Within seconds, the door creaked open, and Grandpa Ted appeared. His face, worn with age but still kind, lit up in surprise when he saw her.

“Alice! What are you doing here, sweetheart?” he exclaimed, stepping forward and wrapping her in a warm embrace.

Alice held on tight, not wanting to let go.

“I came to help you, Grandpa,” she whispered, pulling away slightly and fumbling with the zipper of her backpack. She pulled out the small stack of coins and bills she had brought, her life savings, and held them out to him. “Dad said you’re sick, and you need money for medicine. This is all I have.”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Grandpa Ted looked down at the money in her hands, his eyes filling with tears. For a moment, he was speechless. Finally, he spoke, his voice soft and thick with emotion.

“Oh, Alice,” he said, gently taking her hands in his. “This is the kindest thing anyone has ever done for me. But… I don’t think this money will be enough to cure what’s wrong. But what you’ve given me tonight is worth far more than any medicine—your love and care.”

Alice frowned, her eyes searching his face. “But I want to help. I want you to get better, Grandpa. You can’t be sick.”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Grandpa Ted smiled, though there was sadness in his eyes. “I’m afraid there’s nothing you can do, my dear. Some things, even love and money, can’t fix. But knowing that you care enough to come all this way for me? That means more than you can imagine.”

They sat together on the porch, the night air cool around them, but Alice felt warm being close to her grandfather. Ted quickly sent a message to the girl’s parents so they would know where she was.

After a few moments of quiet, Alice finally asked the question that had been bothering her for so long. “Grandpa, why is Mom so mad at you?”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Ted sighed deeply, as if the weight of his regret was pulling down on his shoulders.

“Your mom trusted me, Alice. She gave me money to help me get better, to stop drinking. But I did something terrible. I used that money to buy more alcohol, and it hurt her deeply. She had faith in me, and I let her down.”

Alice’s voice trembled as she asked, “Why did you do it?”

Ted looked down, ashamed. “Because I was weak, and I made a mistake,” he admitted.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“I’ve regretted it every day since. I never wanted to hurt your mother. I just hope, one day, she can forgive me for what I did.”

They sat together in silence, the sound of the night settling in around them. Alice didn’t know how to fix everything, but at that moment, she knew her love was what mattered most.

Just as they were finishing their conversation, a car pulled up in front of the house. Alice’s parents had come looking for her, and Lisa was furious.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“Alice, what were you thinking?” Lisa scolded. “You could have been hurt!”

Alice stood her ground, looking up at her mother. “I gave Grandpa all my money, Mom. He’s sorry for what he did. Can’t we help him?”

Lisa’s anger faltered as she looked at her daughter, and her heart softened. The sight of her little girl, more willing to forgive than she had been, melted away some of the bitterness she had carried for so long.

Lisa sighed and turned to her father. “Dad, if you stay sober, I’ll help you with the medication.”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Ted nodded, tears filling his eyes. “Thank you, Lisa.”

Alice smiled through her tears, knowing that she had helped bring her family back together. It wasn’t just about money—it was about love, forgiveness, and the hope of a fresh start.

Japanese Couple Didn’t Speak to Each Other for 20 Years, and the Reason Is Astonishing

The topic of what constitutes a lasting and prosperous marriage has been a subject of ongoing discussion. While effective communication is often considered a crucial factor, a Japanese couple defied expectations by maintaining a 20-year marriage without saying a word. The surprising rationale behind their silent union adds an intriguing twist to their story.

A Japanese husband took the “silent treatment” to a whole new level.

The silent treatment entails the refusal to participate in verbal communication when someone is trying to engage and elicit a response. It is not unusual to observe a pause in communication following an argument.

However, can you imagine the difficulty of being married to a spouse who persistently avoids communication? This was the situation for a couple from the Nara region in Japan. Otou Katayama and his wife Yumi faced a prolonged two-decade rough patch in their relationship.

For decades, the man refrained from speaking to his wife, even though they lived under the same roof.

Otou Katayama continued to reside with his children and wife. Despite Yumi Katayama’s attempts to initiate conversations with her husband, she consistently faced a dearth of genuine responses. Instead, Otou communicated approval or disapproval through non-verbal cues, relying on grunts and nods.

Surprisingly, the idea of seeking a divorce or separation never crossed the wife’s mind. The couple even extended their family by welcoming a third child, all while Otou Katayama maintained his silent demeanor towards his wife.

The reason behind Katayama’s silence is even more surprising.

Years later, the father and husband elucidated the reasons behind imposing a 20-year silent treatment on his wife. Katayama believed he was lacking the attention he desired from his wife, feeling that her care was predominantly focused on their children.

Initially, he merely sulked about the situation, but over time, this evolved into a sense of jealousy toward his kids and his wife, who exhibited deep involvement in the upbringing of their offspring—perhaps a level of involvement that exceeded Katayama’s preferences.

Thanks to a TV show, husband and wife finally exchanged words after 20 years.

After two decades of silence, the adult children of the Japanese couple decided to take matters into their own hands. They approached a TV show, seeking assistance in resolving the longstanding conflict between their parents. TV Hokkaido stepped in to help the children witness Katayama speaking to his wife for the first time.

The children confessed that they couldn’t recall ever hearing a conversation between their parents. TV Hokkaido orchestrated a meeting between Otou and Yumi at a park, the same location as their first date many years ago. Unbeknownst to the spouses, their children, along with the audience, observed the emotional moment unfolding before their eyes.

After some initial hesitation, Otou Katayama finally mustered the courage to speak a few words to his wife, Yumi. In that moment, the husband felt a heightened sense of remorse and understanding regarding the situation. Katayama conveyed to his wife that he was aware of the pain and hardship his prolonged silence had caused her. Despite his regret, he also expressed gratitude to Yumi for standing by him throughout two decades of his silent period, which ultimately came to an end on that day.

Undoubtedly, the relationship between Otou and Yumi is distinctive, much like that of the couple from our previous article who, despite the woman’s disability and the criticism they faced, embarked on the journey of starting a family and became parents.

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