My parents spent the college fund my grandfather left me, destroying my dreams — but life had its own lessons.
Growing up, my parents always favored my brother, while my grandfather was the one who believed in me and promised to leave me his inheritance to pay for college and help me become a pilot. After he died, the money was held in my parents’ account. For years they dodged my questions.
When I finally checked at 19, the account was empty. My parents had used the money to bail out my brother’s reckless lifestyle and buy themselves a big house. I was devastated, betrayed, and furious at them — and resentful of my brother.
I left, made my own way, got a job, rented a place, and earned a grant to study at a different university. Over time I rebuilt my life, but the wound of betrayal lingered.
Later, my brother asked to meet and told me my parents were now in debt after their house investment failed. Despite my resentment, I chose to help. When I saw my parents apologize sincerely, I realized holding onto anger only hurt me. I forgave them, and we slowly began to heal.
In the end, I learned that forgiveness helps you move forward, and that strength often comes from rising above life’s hardest challenges.