They sometimes say that blood is thicker than water but even blood relations can have problems from time to time. Things are not always going to work out perfectly, and that is especially true where money is involved.

One family experienced this for themselves when the mother split the inheritance among the children. In many families, this is done with each child getting an equal part but in this case, it didn’t work out quite so well.

It seems as if one of the daughters got more than she bargained for in more ways than one. Read this story to learn more about the family and how they serve as an example for all of us.

Gabby, a young woman, sat in the lawyer’s office with her three siblings, Maya, Tasmin, and Robert. They were about to hear their late mother’s final wish as her will was read.

Before them were envelopes. Gabby’s siblings opened theirs to find a one-dollar bill inside. Confusion filled the room. Gabby, however, held an envelope that felt different. Inside was a folded letter.

Maya snatched the letter from Gabby’s hand and blurted out, “What the h**l, Gabby?” The lawyer gasped in surprise.

The letter revealed that their mother had left everything to Gabby. The house, the savings account, all of it. Why? Because Gabby was the only one who truly cared.

Gabby never sought to be the favorite. She simply felt it was her duty to be there for her mom in her time of need, without any expectations of a payout.

Maya had her own family, Tasmin was always busy with work, and Robert seldom made time for the family. Their mother’s decision to leave everything to Gabby was a way of saying thank you for her love and dedication. The dollar bills her siblings received were a reminder of the time they hadn’t given their mom while she was still alive.

The letter burned in Gabby’s hands. “I didn’t ask for this,” she said. “Listen! I need you to understand me.”

But her siblings were furious and ignored her pleas.

In an effort to make things right, Gabby suggested, “Let’s split Mom’s savings equally. Not for luxury or wasteful spending, but as a safety net for each of us.”

Her siblings agreed. They went to the bank together and took care of everything.

Gabby wrote that she believed her mom’s lesson wasn’t about who cared the most, but rather about understanding her feelings in her final moments.

Through this experience, the four siblings learned an invaluable lesson – family should always come first. They decided to have monthly gatherings and remained close.