Our Inheritance

Hey All,     We all have an inheritance.  We work because Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit...............I'm going to have a serious discussion with those two when the day comes.  When our parents died, we eventually settled their estate.  We got more than we bargained for.
          In March 2005, Mom passed away and left no will.  Tom and I decided that Joe could still live in her house as long as he paid all of the bills.  We couldn't afford additional expenses as we each had mortgages etc of our own.  I found out later that someone was telling people at Mom's funeral that Penny and I were throwing him out on the street..........and so it goes.  In 2008, Tom and I decided that our situations were hard enough that we had to sell Mom's house. Even though we owned 1/3 each, we couldn't gain access because Joe changed the door locks.  According to Joe, Mom told him she was leaving the house to him alone, when she was drunk one night...............as far as he was concerned that was the way it was going to be.  
         I got a lawyer to settle the estate and Joe got his own.  We tried to list the house for sale and which Joe fought us..................................we had to go to orphans court to compel the sale.  During all of this we all were paying a penalty on inheritance tax,  we only had 9 months from Mom's passing to settle her estate without penalty..........................and the penalty increases along with legal fees.   When we got a realtor, Joe called them and complained threateningly about their sign.   Then he changed the locks so they couldn't get in.  We had a buyer at our asking price and the locks were changed again...................the buyer walked away.  The housing market crashed and we lost $30,000.  The realtor brought another buyer only to find that there were no light bulbs in the house.  Joe told the realtor to bring their own.  We had to threaten orphans court again because of this and the light bulbs returned. It was suggested to Tom and I,  by Mom's siblings, that we should give Joe the house for taking care of Mom.  He took her shopping, cut the grass etc. and she washed his clothes, cooked his dinner and packed his lunches for work.  Their relationship was symbiotic........they each had their roles. He would run to the liquor store....................she'd buy it...............he'd fly out to get it, so he could drink for free.  It is my opinion that Joe has gotten more than he deserved. 
        Mom's house was eventually sold.  Our family is our inheritance.  They are the living and breathing fact that someone before us existed and left a part of themselves behind.  Blessed are they that can count their family as loved ones.  Tom and I never see Joe, which is okay.  We thought he was gone out of our lives................................that's another story.
                                  Until next time.............................God Bless.