In their family, everyone was used to seeing Grandma Katya as a gentle, non-confrontational person, ready to sacrifice herself for the well-being of her children and grandchildren. Her sons—Lyosha and Yuri—had long since started their own families and lived separately, but they regularly sent their children over to visit her. And no one ever doubted that she would unconditionally take charge of the little ones, entertain them, treat them to sweets, and generously hand out pocket money.
However, everything changed on one cold spring day when Grandma Katya gathered the whole family and, smiling, announced:
— My dear ones, I have something important to tell you. I have a pension, and I’ve decided to spend it exclusively on myself.
A deathly silence fell over the spacious living room. Everyone exchanged surprised looks: “On herself?!” They simply could not believe that the grandmother who had spent her whole life saving money and helping everyone around could say such words. After all, she had always given most of her funds to her children and grandchildren, paying for extracurricular classes, textbooks, and buying gifts…
— Grandma, you must be joking, right? — asked Anya, the eighteen-year-old granddaughter studying in college. It was Grandma who had paid for her transit pass and professional courses. — Yes, grandma, — added Kostya, the technical college student dreaming of becoming an auto mechanic. — How do you mean “for yourself”?
The sons also looked at their mother in disbelief. The elder, Lyosha, cleared his throat:
— Mom, what about helping us, your children? You were always there for us, supporting us and the grandkids…
Grandma Katya, a short woman with wrinkles around her eyes but a lively sparkle in them, raised her eyebrows and replied firmly:
— My dear ones, I have worked all my life and saved money. I always put you first, and I don’t regret it one bit. But now I want to live a little for myself. I have hobbies, I have dreams. This is my pension, which I earned honestly!
— But… — began Yuri, the younger son, — you always said that the family should help one another.
— Of course, help one another! — agreed Grandma. — But that doesn’t mean that my savings should automatically become a communal fund. You never asked how I would like to manage my own money. All I ever heard was: “Mom, can you give me this,” “Mom, help me with that.” Enough is enough.
Her voice was resolute. The daughters-in-law, Irina and Natalia, exchanged bewildered looks, not knowing how to respond. Then the grandmother produced a small piece of paper:
— Here is my list of goals: in the summer, I want to go to a sanatorium, buy a new phone, and learn to use WhatsApp. I also plan to update my wardrobe—I’ve been wearing the same coat for ten years. These plans are now my top priority. And I won’t be upset if someone gets hurt.
Yuri broke the silence, setting his cup down on the table:
— Mom, what about us? You know, Natasha and I have a mortgage, our finances are stretched thin. We were counting on you to watch the little ones during the summer so we wouldn’t have to hire a nanny. Even if only partially covering our expenses…
— I’m not refusing to watch the grandchildren, — the grandmother corrected. — But only at my own pace. And I’m not going to hand over half my pension for your loans anymore. You’re young and healthy—you can manage on your own.
— What?! — Yuri frowned. — But you always said that the family should stick together.
— “Sticking together” doesn’t mean “being your financial sponsor forever,” — Grandma said softly but firmly with a smile. — I’m 69, and I want to live a few years the way I want, while my health allows it.
Lyosha, the elder son, was clearly shocked. He had never expected such resolve from his usually easygoing mother:
— Mom… Why do you need that sanatorium? You’re perfectly fine at home. We can provide everything you need.
— “Provide everything”? — the grandmother snorted. — You’re barely scraping by yourselves. I want the sanatorium, where there will be treatments, relaxation, and the opportunity to socialize with other pensioners. That is my desire.
Anya and Kostya, the grandchildren, watched silently. Inside, Anya began to understand: “Grandma has sacrificed her life for us. Maybe she really deserves some time for herself?” But she chose to remain silent, seeing her parents’ discontent.
The next day, with only Grandma and Anya alone, the granddaughter asked:
— Grandma, why did you decide to assert your rights just now? Why this “turning point”?
The grandmother smiled, took her granddaughter’s hand, and led her to her room, where a small table was crowded with photographs. In the photos, a young Katya with her husband, then with her children. She had raised her two sons on her own after her husband’s early death, worked as an accountant, and gave almost all her earnings for their education and further support.
— You see, dear, these thoughts had been growing in me for a long time. I helped with renovations, bought strollers for your little ones, and paid for celebrations… It’s wonderful—I don’t regret it. But one day I realized: there’s no time or energy left for me. And soon I’ll be old, and I’ve never really lived for myself…
— Don’t talk about old age, — Anya frowned.
— Alright, I won’t, — the grandmother nodded. — But I’ve decided: let my sons stand on their own, while I want a few years of freedom, without the constant thought of “whom else to give to.” And besides, my pension isn’t big enough to support two families.
— I understand… — Anya quietly said, sitting on a chair. — Perhaps you’re right. It’s just that Dad and Uncle are used to the old ways…
— Then let them get used to it, — the grandmother said, her lips pressed firmly together. — I love them, but I’m not going to dance to their tune.
Anya suddenly smiled:
— Grandma, I support you. If needed, I can talk to Dad so he won’t be upset.
Grandma sighed with relief—finally, someone understood her.
The sons and daughters-in-law were divided in their opinions:
Irina, Yuri’s wife, had previously seen Grandma Katya as the perfect helper who always gave money for the children’s gifts. Now she grumbled disapprovingly: “Your mother is making things up. Maybe we should show her to a psychologist?” Natalia, Lyosha’s wife, was more tolerant, yet she still wondered: “Why does she suddenly need a sanatorium? Could someone have suggested that idea to her?”
Lyosha and Yuri arranged a family meeting at Lyosha’s house, where they invited the grandmother. She already sensed that the conversation would not be easy.
— Mom, — Lyosha began when everyone had gathered, — we want to understand what’s happening. You always supported the idea of a united family…
— And I still do, — interrupted the grandmother, — but remember how many times you had renovations while I gave up my last savings? When Yuri was paying off his car loan, I gave almost my entire pension. And have I ever asked you for help? No.
— But that was done out of love, — Yuri tried to use an emotional appeal. — And honestly, we were really struggling then. You yourself said you were ready to help…
— Because it used to seem like that was right. But now I’ve realized: I deserve joy in my life too. All this time I was fighting for your comfort, forgetting my own needs. I want to finally start taking care of myself.
— Taking care of yourself? — Irina (Yuri’s wife) couldn’t hide a sarcastic smile. — Aren’t you almost seventy? What do you plan to do?
— I’m not even seventy yet, — Grandma Katya replied with dignity. — And why should age be a limitation? Many of my peers travel, go for treatments, and socialize. I feel healthy and alive. Why shouldn’t I use my pension for my own pleasures?
— And who will then spend on the children? — grumbled Yuri.
— You, as parents, — she stated clearly. — If you don’t like it, I’m sorry, but I owe you nothing.
A silence fell in the room, as if the air had turned colder. Natalia tensed, and Lyosha gritted his teeth to hold back further comments.
— Fine, — Lyosha finally said. — Suppose so. But Mom, don’t be upset if we stop inviting you to family events. If you think it doesn’t matter to you…
— I believe I have the right to manage my own money. As for being offended— that’s your choice. I love you all, but I’m a person, not a bottomless wallet.
After these words, the grandmother stood up:
— Excuse me, I must be on my way. I’ve booked a place at “Lesnaya Zdravnitsa” for June. I’ll be treating my back, and then perhaps I’ll go to the seaside. If you feel like joining, you’re welcome; if not, I’ll go alone.
She gathered her small handbag and left, leaving her family in a state of shock.
About a month later, Grandma continued keeping most of her pension for herself. In fact, her income was modest—just 25,000 rubles—but that was enough to allow her a few purchases, pay for the sanatorium (she used some of her old savings), and even save a little for the future. Relatives who had grown accustomed to receiving “a couple of thousand” each month were now left without that support and began to complain.
Yuri lamented to his wife: “Without mom’s help, we can’t afford the summer camp. We’ll have to find extra sources.” Lyosha was forced to work on weekends to pay for his son’s extracurricular classes. The grandchildren were surprised: “Grandma no longer gives us pocket money. She says we should earn it ourselves. Maybe I’ll get a part-time job…” Although some, like Anya, understood her position and tried to support it.
When summer arrived, Grandma Katya indeed went to “Lesnaya Zdravnitsa.” When she started sharing photos via WhatsApp (which her granddaughter helped her learn to use)—pictures of walks in the park, therapeutic treatments, mineral water—many of her relatives were shocked. “Could it be that she’s really enjoying herself?” In their minds, the grandmother was always supposed to be at home, baking pies and waiting to be asked to help.
But the grandmother had transformed. She made new friends, did morning exercises, consulted with a doctor, and even enrolled in a massage course. “For the first time, I’m living for myself,” she told a friend over the phone. “It feels so light, as if I’ve finally achieved something important.”
Two weeks later, when she returned home, the grandmother found her two sons in her kitchen. They had appeared unannounced, clearly intending to have a serious talk.
— Hi, Mom, — said Lyosha as she entered with her suitcase. — How was it?
She set her suitcase down:
— Wonderful. The treatments, the fresh air—I’m satisfied.
— We… — began Yuri with a sigh, — well, Mom, our salaries are delayed at work. Once again, it’s not enough…
— Yes, — added Lyosha, — and the cost of summer camp for the kids has gone up. Perhaps you could help, even just this once?
The grandmother slipped off her sandals and walked into the room:
— My dear ones… I know you’re having difficulties. But you’re not children anymore. When I said I’d spend my pension on myself, it wasn’t a passing whim. I need the money: I’ve signed up for a fitness program, and even the utility bills are rising.
— Are you really refusing? — Lyosha said, as if clinging to the hope that “Mom, as usual, will have mercy.”
— Son, — she replied gently, — I’m not refusing because I don’t love you. It’s just that you must handle your own problems. I’ve already spent so much energy and money on your well-being. I hope you understand: this is my pension, and I want to spend it on myself.
Yuri began to pace nervously:
— But, Mom, don’t you feel sorry for the grandkids?
—I love them very much, — she sighed. — But let the parents figure it out—get a side job, look for discounts. Not that I’m bathing in luxury and refusing millions, but my pension is modest. And I want to feel that I can make choices at this age, rather than giving everything down to the last penny.
The sons exchanged glances. It was clear they were displeased, but the grandmother remained unyielding, for the first time without softening her tone.
— Fine, — Lyosha suddenly said in a conciliatory tone. — If that’s your decision… We are already trying new approaches. Natalia has taken on private orders, and I’m doing extra work driving. Perhaps it really is time for us to learn to manage on our own.
— Of course, — the grandmother nodded with a smile. — It’s time. And I’m always ready to offer advice or occasionally watch the children, but financially—sorry, no. I’m almost seventy soon.
— Well, not just yet, — Yuri smiled, and the tension eased a little. — Alright… I get it.
It seemed that some of their indignation had subsided, and they began to realize: “Mom no longer wants to be the eternal martyr.” Perhaps everything didn’t settle immediately, but they accepted her decision.
By the end of summer, the grandchildren had grown accustomed to the fact that Grandma was no longer the “sponsor,” even though she still gave small gifts—beautiful handkerchiefs to the sisters, books to the grandchildren. Now these gifts were tokens of her own choice, not a parental demand. And, strangely enough, the children began to appreciate them much more. They understood that grandma wasn’t obliged to give; she did it out of genuine pleasure.
Anya, who had enrolled in college, had wanted to ask for a new smartphone but decided to work during the holidays instead. After earning it herself, she felt a sense of pride. “Maybe this is for the best,” she thought, sincerely thanking her grandmother for not letting everyone “get something for free.”
In September, Grandma Katya planned another trip—a bus tour along the Volga. As she began packing her things, she called Anya to help her book the tickets online.
— See, — said the grandmother as she printed out the itinerary, — if I continued spending my entire pension, there would be no trips at all. But now I control it myself.
Anya smiled:
— Great, Grandma, go on and enjoy!
— Thank you, dear. And I’m glad you’re starting to understand: I’m not against family, but I have the right to my own life.
Settling on the couch with a cup of tea, she quietly repeated the words that had become her motto:
“This is my pension, and I spend it on myself.”
Now her relatives accepted this as reality, although they were shocked at first. Over time, they realized that Grandma Katya deserved the right to choose how to spend her twilight years. It was a lesson for everyone: to respect personal boundaries, even if the person is older, but still full of desires and plans.
