When our parents di3d, my brother Aaron displayed his true materialistic nature. We inherited two houses: the new house where our parents spent their final years and our run-down childhood home. While Aaron intended to sell the ancient house, I, Ian, chose to renovate it to fulfill our father’s goal of restoring it.

”Come on, Ian, we can do so much more with the money,” Aaron said to him. But the house had sentimental value, and I couldn’t let it go.

For illustration purposes only

Laura, my wife, and I started the difficult process of renovating it. One day, while removing wallpaper, I uncovered a note from my father. It told us to dig under the old oak tree in the garden. Laura and I were intrigued when we came across a worn box with a stack of papers inside. These showed a savings account set up by my father for the property’s renovation, as well as a deed to a beach house for whoever fulfilled his goal. We decided to inform Aaron, anticipating his reaction.

As expected, he was enraged. “Why should you get everything just because you kept the old dump?” he called out. “It’s about honoring Dad’s legacy,” I said, attempting to remain cool. Aaron and I did not talk for several weeks, but Laura and I continued to work on the house.

It gradually transformed, reviving long-cherished memories. Months later, Aaron returned and realized he had overreacted. We reunited, and Laura and I sold our beach home, intending to utilize the proceeds for our children’s future. Finally, we fulfilled our father’s desires, protecting our family’s legacy and beginning a new chapter for ourselves. What would you have done?