Inheritance

My late grandparents were the emotional center of our extended family. They are long gone, leaving behind 100 acres of land and their farmhouse. Then the surviving four children had to decide what to do with all their belongings. First, they had to divide up the many trophies my grandfather won as a champion racehorse trainer. There were countless silver platters, cutlery, crystal glasses, framed pictures of winning horses crossing the finish line, Jockey silks, and the more typical engraved sporting trophies.

Beyond those more valuable items, there were sentimental things that stung the heart. In my grandmother's purse, there were her rosary beads, prayer cards, and photographs of all her grandchildren that she carried with her everywhere. Her clothes hanging up in her wardrobe still had her perfume. My last memory of my grandmother was the warmth of her hug, the feeling of her mohair jumper against my cheek.

13 years later my mother was looking through a cardboard box of Granny's personal items stashed in her study. She found blue yarn and knitting needles, the beginnings of an unfinished project. She found old correspondence, birthday cards, and a recipe for tomato relish. A checkbook with stubs from 1981, a $400 fine from the Shire Council for unregistered farm dogs (which seems a bit harsh!) Then Mum found a hard-covered black A4 notebook containing my grandmother's perfect copperplate handwriting. Among her daily to-do lists and newspaper cuttings of my grandfather's triumphs, she had written each of her 13 grandchildren's names with their birthdates. Below this list, she had noted "I wish to gift all of my grandchildren $20,000 each from my estate." It was dated 1992.

This was a surprise. Her will was divided among her 4 children, nothing mentioned grandchildren receiving an inheritance. The money was divided and presumably spent already. Was a handwritten note in a forgotten black book even legally binding, I wondered? I contacted my 2 brothers and 2 sisters to tell them the news. We were all intrigued but wondered how we could broach the subject with our parents, cousins, aunts, and uncles. If this was even possible to receive any money, it would be most fortunate for all the grandchildren, but possibly an unwelcome development for our respective parents. This could be an awkward family meeting, could we consider legal action to claim a small inheritance? Or would this be an ill-advised venture, profiting only a solicitor?

Our grandmother wanted us to have her money, made from breeding racehorses and their winnings on the track. My grandparents were products of their upbringing during the Great Depression. They had harsh memories of rural poverty and no desire to ever return to that kind of deprivation. They never displayed their wealth in an ostentatious manner, preferring to live humbly and be grateful for all the Good Lord had provided. Family meant everything to them. And the horses of course, who required daily attention. My grandfather prepared their feed by hand, mixing oats sprinkled with vitamin supplements, 2 carrots, and molasses. The horses waited by the gate for him to approach carrying heavy buckets in both hands. There were always lots of people at the farm, jockeys and strappers arrived early in the morning to exercise the horses, there were frequent visits from veterinarians and farriers. It was difficult for my Grandfather to retire from his chosen profession, his work was his purpose, he needed to feel productive. He kept training horses until his early nineties, only stopping when his eyesight had deteriorated so badly and his diabetes became more problematic. The farm was his home and training horses for race-day was his purpose. The farm was where the extended family gathered and somehow managed to fit around the dining table. It felt like home to all of the grandchildren, and the death of our grandparents left a feeling of emptiness in us all. It was an inevitable but sad day when the farm was sold to strangers, it was no longer our refuge. My grandfather never foresaw the farm would be a financial burden to his children, with State land taxes demanded upon a rural property no longer making an income.

If the grandchildren were to demand $20,000 each, who would pay us? Was there anything left in the estate to pay all 13 of us? As much as a windfall would be appreciated, I loathe conflict and would not like to create financial problems for my parents or aunts and uncles. Taking a deep breath, I asked my mother "What shall we do about this? Is this reasonable for us to ask that Granny's wish be honored?" My mother pursed her lips. "I'll discuss it further with my siblings. No promises."

Nothing was said for a few weeks but a family meeting was arranged. We were to meet on the anniversary of my grandfather's death and to visit the family grave plot. Lunch at a nearby pub afterward in a private room. The cousins were assembled and we were curious about what was to transpire. Our parents looked serious and poker-faced. My uncle spoke first "We have been talking about the subject of inheritance. You know Granny loved all of you very much. We have spoken to our solicitor, he agrees there is nothing specified in the official will that mentions an inheritance to grandchildren." The cousins exchange glances, thinking this isn't going to end well for us. "But we want to do right by all of you, and if it's what Granny wanted, we are willing to honor her wishes." Our collective mood lifts, while our parents remain stony-faced. "We will investigate how we can make payments to all the grandchildren, each of us has our own financial circumstances, we can't pluck money out of thin air, but we will do our best to see that you receive the amount specified by Granny in a timely fashion." We all smile quietly, trying to show suitable emotional restraint. "Thank you" each of us chimes in. "That is very generous of all of you, thank you very much," I say.

My aunt smiles and says "Now how about we order some food? Let's get some drinks in here. Raise your glasses! To Mum and Dad."

"To Granny and Pa" the grandchildren reply.