After my son Peter died, I was devastated. But what shocked me even more was when my ex-wife Susan asked to use the college fund I had set aside for Peter to help her nephew Ryan instead. I gasped for air when she made that demand.
The way his things were still strewn around the room was a sad reflection of the life he left behind. When I picked up a picture frame from the table next to his bed, all the memories came racing back.
I remembered the day Peter got his letter of acceptance from Yale, which was his dream school. I was so proud of him because he had worked so hard to get there. Life didn’t go as planned for Peter, though, and he died too soon.
When Susan and her husband Jerry showed up at my door, I knew I had to say no to what they wanted. They seemed to think they had a right to Peter’s college fund, but I knew they were wrong. I raised Peter by myself and gave up everything for his health and happiness, but Susan and Jerry were nowhere to be found.
The argument that followed was tense, with angry words flying back and forth between the two sides. I knew I was fighting for Peter’s heritage, so I wouldn’t give up. There was only one person the money was for, I told them.
In the end, I won, but it cost me a lot individually. Even though I still felt sad about losing Peter, I found comfort in making his dreams come true. There was a trip to Belgium that I paid for with the college fund. Peter had always wanted to go there. It felt like Peter was with me as I walked through the castles, museums, and monastery breweries.
It was therapeutic to go on the trip, which helped me accept my loss. Even though Peter was no longer with us, I knew that his spirit would live on, and I was determined to carry on his work.
