After my mother-in-law Carol passed away, I was finally allowed to open the storeroom she had always guarded. Carol had been a strict, icy figure, with a commanding presence and sharp eyes, hiding a sadness I never understood. She raised Eric alone after his father’s death and kept everyone at a distance, even banning him from the storeroom.
When Carol passed, I found a note from her, giving me permission to open the storeroom. Inside, I discovered a collection of items that revealed a side of Carol I never knew—photos, letters, and even baby booties from a lost pregnancy I never talked about. Along with these items was a letter from Carol, confessing her love for me, her fear of losing Eric, and how much she had appreciated me.
Eric was deeply moved when he read the letter. It was clear Carol had struggled with expressing her feelings, but she had kept these mementos to remember our life together. As we went through the storeroom, we found more precious memories of Eric’s childhood.
We kept those items as a reminder of Carol’s love and understanding, and a year later, we welcomed a daughter named Carol. I made sure she wore the baby booties and had her grandmother’s portrait by her crib. Carol’s quiet strength and affection will always be a part of our family.