My father-in-law, who had no pension, I took care of him with all my heart for 12 years. With his last breath, he handed over a broken pillow and said: “For Maria.” When I opened it, I immediately cried…
I am Maria, I started working as a daughter-in-law at the age of 26. At that time, my husband’s family went through many trials. My father-in-law died early, leaving my father-in-law, Tatay Ramon, to raise four children alone. He had been growing rice and vegetables in Nueva Ecija all his life, without a job with benefits, without a pension.
When I became a daughter-in-law, almost all of Tatay Ramon’s children had their own families, and they rarely visited. The rest of his life was almost dependent on my wife and me.
I often heard whispers from the neighbors:
—”What is that, just a daughter-in-law but treated almost like a slave. Who would take care of a mother-in-law for so long?”
But for me, I think differently. He is a father who sacrificed his entire life for his children. If I were to turn my back on him, who else would take care of him?
Twelve Years of Trial
Those twelve years were not easy. Even before that, I was young and often tired and felt lonely. When my husband was in Manila for work, I was the only one taking care of our little daughter and Father Ramon, who was already weak. I cooked, dressed, and woke up at night to watch him breathe at night.
Once, out of exhaustion, I told him:
—”Father, I am just a son-in-law… Sometimes it feels like the burden is heavy on my chest.”
He just smiled quietly, holding my hand tremblingly:
—”I know, son. That’s why I am even more grateful. Without you, I might have been lost a long time ago.”
I will never forget that. From then on, I promised myself that I would do everything to make it easier for him. Every winter, I bought him a thick coat and blanket. When his stomach hurt, I cooked him porridge. When his feet hurt, I gently massaged him.
I never thought that one day he would leave me anything. I did this because I considered him my own father.
The Last Moment
As time passed, Father Ramon became weaker and weaker. When he was 85 years old, the doctor at the provincial hospital said that his heart was failing. A few days before his last night, he often called me by his bedside to tell me stories about his youth, and repeatedly reminded his children and grandchildren to live a noble life.
Until the afternoon of his farewell arrived. As he was taking his last breath, he called me. He reached for an old pillow, the edge of which was almost torn. Her voice was weak:
—”Because… Maria…”
I hugged the pillow, not understanding at first. After a few minutes, she closed her eyes completely.
The Secret Inside the Pillow
On the night of the funeral, as I sat on the terrace, I opened the broken pillow. What I had not expected was revealed: carefully folded banknotes, a few small pieces of gold, and three old bank passbooks.
I was stunned, and then tears flowed. It turned out that all the little money from the children who had given, and from the sale of a small plot of land in the village, she had saved. Instead of spending it, she saved it and hid it inside that broken pillow—and left it for me.
There was a piece of paper, the handwriting barely legible:
—”Son, you are the most hardworking and kindest son-in-law I have ever known. I will not leave you a fortune, but I hope it will help make your life easier. Do not blame your husband’s brothers, because I myself chose to give it to you—because you took care of me for twelve years.”
Tears of Gratitude
That’s when I felt my eyes well up. Not because of the money or gold, but because of the acceptance and love he showed me. I used to think that all my sacrifices were just the duty of a son-in-law. But Father Ramon showed me that good deeds done without expecting anything in return are not wasted.
On the day of the funeral, there were still whispers:
—”What will Ramon leave behind? He has no pension.”
I just smiled. Because no one knows the treasure he left me—not just in the form of savings, but in true appreciation and trust.
My Second Father
Every time I see that old pillow, I remember Father Ramon. In my heart, he was not just a father-in-law—but a second father, who taught me the meaning of sacrifice, gratitude, and unconditional love.