Today I feel sad, and I honestly can’t fully explain the feeling. I know it’s not right to judge people or always expect something in return, but I just feel disappointed.
My husband has a sister whom he has supported a lot, especially during her studies. When she needed a laptop for her thesis, tuition in a private school, and other school needs, my husband helped her. Back then, I was still at the peak of my corporate job and we didn’t have children yet. After she graduated, my husband continued helping her until she passed the board exam and got her first job. We were all happy for her success.
We even celebrated when she got hired in DepEd, and again when she was promoted. We genuinely congratulated her and even surprised her with a simple dinner when her promotion result came out. We were really happy for her achievements.
Now that blessings have come to her like midyear bonus, medical benefits, and other income like harvest abundantly with their watermelon we jokingly and simply suggested in our family group chat that she could treat us to a simple dinner, nothing expensive, just a small night out. But she replied that she cannot because they have a project and her husband’s plans are already set for their money.
I felt a little hurt and disappointed. Not because of the dinner itself, but because we somehow expected a small gesture of appreciation. It made me remember the times we also helped them, even when they were struggling with payments for their motorcycle. We gave money and support, but later we found out that the payments were not properly remitted to the company, which caused problems with the motor. It felt like we were taken advantage of, but because they are family, we chose to let it go and not make it a big issue.
Even during their wedding, we also helped a lot, especially my husband. At that time, her husband family had no financial support, and my husband did not want his sister to feel ashamed or stressed. So, he stepped in and helped their father support the wedding and contribute to the expenses so everything could go smoothly.
There were also many small favors before printing documents, lending our laptop, monthly allowance and even asking my husband to drive them around. We helped in so many ways, without asking for anything in return.
I kept quiet about all of that because she is my husband’s sister, and I chose peace over conflict. I want a simple and peaceful life because I know peace of mind is something money cannot buy. But today, I just feel sad realizing that not all help is returned, and not all kindness is remembered the same way.
My husband said maybe we should just understand her situation, especially since she already has her own family and priorities. And I agree with him. Still, I am trying to process my emotions and learn how to let go of expectations while continuing to be kind without expecting anything in return, and choosing peace in my heart.
The lead photo was edited in Canva. Thank you for reading my story.
