When my grandmother invited us to her home to celebrate her birthday, I never expected my family to do what they did! Grandma was deeply hurt, and I couldn’t let it go unpunished. So, I devised a plan to set them straight!
A younger woman kissing an older one
My story starts with sadness but ends on a high note. It’s all about my dear Gran-Gran, who is the most WONDERFUL person alive. This extraordinary woman raised me and my siblings while our parents were tangled in their divorce.
I mention this to highlight how precious and special she is to us, especially to me. Being the selfless person she is, she planned a surprise ahead of her upcoming 83rd birthday.
A woman holding decorating items | Source: Pexels
Instead of us arranging something special for her, my Gran-Gran organized an entire brunch at her home despite her deteriorating health. On the special day, she woke up at sunrise to bake her own bread and pastries!
I, like everyone else, learned about the event through invitations she had sent out a week earlier. As if preparing a whole meal wasn’t enough, she had hand-drawn and handwritten each invitation herself, despite her shaky hands!
A woman
The immense effort and love she poured into preparing for her special day motivated me to attend without question. However, on her birthday, work held me back, and I arrived 10 minutes late.
Although I was a bit late, I came with a present I had bought long before. When I walked in, I found my angelic grandmother clearing plates from the table and pouring coffee down the sink.
A table prepared for brunch | Source: Pexels
Confused, I asked her, “Gran-Gran, did I get the time wrong for your birthday party? What happened? Where is everyone?” I tried to keep my voice steady, fearing I had missed the celebration! But with a lump in her throat, my granny admitted:
“Sany, you aren’t too late. No one bothered to show up for my birthday. But it’s okay, sweetheart. I know everyone is busy.”
A sad woman drinking wine alone | Source: Pexels
My heart shattered into pieces, and my TEMPER FLARED as I saw her eyes welling with tears. She could barely maintain a wobbly smile, pretending everything was fine.
“Busy? Mom’s retired, Tim is jobless, and Sarah is ‘between jobs,’ whatever that means! They have no excuse!” I hugged my Gran-Gran tightly. Each family member had PROMISED to be there. But none had the decency to show up!
An upset-looking younger woman hugging an older one | Source: Pexels
I vowed to make it up to her. As I held her, a plan of retribution began to form in my mind. Gran-Gran wouldn’t need to know, but it was PERSONAL now! After spending quality time with her, I excused myself and stepped outside to make a few calls.
I was determined to teach my family a WELL-DESERVED lesson. The first call I made was to my mom. “Hey, Mom! Where are you?! Gran-Gran fell, and I found her alone in the house!” My mother sounded worried, asking what had happened.
A concerned woman talking on the phone | Source: Pexels
Continuing the tale, I said, “I don’t know what happened. I arrived late for her birthday party and found her lying face down in the kitchen.” I told her that Gran-Gran was in the hospital receiving care.
“This could have been avoided if you had shown up,” I guilted her. “I’m sorry, Sandra, I got caught up in something, honey. I’ll go check on her now.”
“Caught up in what? You’re retired!” I snapped, unable to hide my anger. “Don’t take that tone with me!” she retorted before I could control my temper.
An upset woman talking to someone on the phone | Source: Pexels
“Sorry, Mom, I’m just so worried about Gran-Gran,” I lied. “Also, I need you to send some money to cover the hefty hospital bills.” Feeling guilty, my mother agreed to contribute to the imaginary $2,000 bill.
After hanging up, I went back and spent more time with my grandmother until she asked to take a nap. Taking advantage of the moment, I called all the other family members who had neglected to show up.
A woman talking on the phone | Source: Pexels
I called my brother, Tim. “Where are you? Why didn’t you come to Gran-Gran’s brunch?”
“Something came up,” he muttered. “Like what? Another video game marathon?” I retorted. “She’s in the hospital, Tim. Do you even care?” His breath caught in his throat before he asked, “Is she going to be okay? What happened?”
I brushed him off, telling him I was too stressed to explain. But I emphasized that it wouldn’t have happened if someone had attended her brunch.
A concerned-looking man talking on the phone | Source: Pexels
The crux of my plan was to make them feel guilty and to hit them where it hurt: their wallets. I also told Tim about the hospital bills and that everyone was chipping in.
“I’ll hustle some cash from a friend,” he promised. By then, my mother had already sent some money and was asking for updates on Gran-Gran’s health since I hadn’t revealed which hospital she was admitted to.
A woman smiling while looking at her phone | Source: Pexels
I made similar calls to my sister and a few other relatives. Each one, laden with guilt, agreed to send money. Soon, I had collected a substantial amount! I kept them all on edge, claiming Gran-Gran was hanging in there. I hinted that visitation would be allowed the next day.
I stayed over at Gran-Gran’s so she wouldn’t be alone. The next morning, I booked a trip for her and myself to a beautiful place she’d always dreamed of visiting. I surprised her with the tickets.
A younger woman talking to an older one | Source: Pexels
“Gran-Gran, pack your bags. We’re going on a trip!” I said, grinning from ear to ear. Her eyes widened. “What? How did you afford this?”
“Let’s just say I collected a few IOUs,” I replied with a wink.
We spent a week at a beach resort, enjoying the sun, the sea, and each other’s company. I made sure Gran-Gran had the birthday celebration she deserved. We took countless pictures, capturing EVERY precious moment.
A woman dancing in front of a ring light | Source: Pexels
Before we left, I eased everyone’s minds, telling them that Grandma was being discharged and that her fall was due to stress. I assured them I’d take care of her, so there was no need to worry.
I posted the vacation photos on social media, tagging all our family members. The captions read things like, “Best birthday ever!” and “Gran-Gran’s special getaway!” It didn’t take long for my phone to start buzzing with calls and texts.
A woman laughing while looking at her phone | Source: Pexels
The first was from my mom. “But you said the money was for the hospital!” she cried. “And you promised to come to her brunch and didn’t,” I replied calmly, then hung up.
Next, my brother called. “What the hell, sis? You tricked us!”
“And you broke Gran-Gran’s heart,” I shot back before ending the call.
An angry-looking man talking on the phone | Source: Pixabay
Each family member received the same response. I felt a sense of satisfaction watching them squirm. They had let her down, and they needed to understand the consequences of their actions.
When we returned home, Gran-Gran was glowing. She hadn’t stopped smiling since the trip! “Thank you for this, darling. It’s been the best week of my life,” she said, hugging me tightly.
A grandmother hugging her granddaughter | Source: Pexels
“You deserve it, Gran-Gran. And don’t worry, next year will be even better.” From that day on, my family never missed another event. They attended every birthday, holiday, and Sunday dinner, though they still gave me the cold shoulder for what I did.
Some even tried to make me feel guilty. But whenever they did, I asked, “Do you want us to go and discuss this with Grandma?” This usually made them back off, as they weren’t brave enough to face what they’d done.
A family gathered together for a meal | Source: Pexels
And every time I saw Gran-Gran’s happy face, I knew it had all been worth it! Yet, a part of me felt a bit guilty for deceiving everyone. So, to all who read my story, do you think I overreacted and took things too far?
What would you have done if you were in my shoes?
A woman contemplating her actions | Source: Pexels
If you enjoyed reading Sandra’s story, you’ll be thrilled by Dora’s tale! In her story, her uncle’s wife made her mother cry by joking about her late father. When Dora found her mother in tears and heard what had happened, she couldn’t let sleeping dogs lie!
This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.
The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.