(48) Dividing gold

As gold price was very much lower thirty years ago, older women tend to have accumulated some jewelry over their lives.

My childhood friend, Jane, married a man who happened to be the youngest of six brothers. Since all the other brothers bought houses and moved out after they got married, Jane and her husband stayed with his parents. During one of her mother-in-law's illnesses, Jane actually suggested that the old lady decide what to give to who, putting her jewelry into six envelopes and mark clearly the recipient on each envelope. For whatever reason, the old lady decided to do nothing.

The day her mother-in-law passed on, Jane passed over the entire caboodle over to her eldest sis-in-law according to Chinese rules. Now, that particular sister-in-law is actually a very rich woman, far richer than  the others. When the time came to divide the "loot", the eldest sister-in-law declared that her mum-in-law told her she was to have the most beautiful diamond pendant and the most costly jade bracelet. The rest of the pile was divided into six somewhat equal sub-groups that they drew lot to determine who got which. Of course Jane knew that her eldest sis-in-law was greedy and lied. But what was there to argue about, as there was no way to call the deceased back to prove anything. We both surmised that we are just keepers of such treasure for a certain number of years before passing them to our heirs. None of us can take such things with us at death.

In contrast to Jane's mum-in-law, my mother was a little poorer and own far less jewelry. She is hale and hearty today, still able to complete her forty minute brisk walk every morning.  She has already divided her life time collection. Each daughter-in-law, grand daughter, daughter and grandson's future wife gets a little keep sake. I was given a thin necklace upon my marriage many years ago. Her grand daughter from her eldest son was given her tiny diamond ear rings. My children each received a tiny golden cross when they were born. Other grandsons received a ring each. Daughters-in-law each received a bracelet. In this way, the division was fair and equitable. No one was missed out. Lately my mum is wearing the 14k gold ear stud I gave her. Actually this is a much better way of handling such affairs, as later there was no need to arbitrarily divide such inheritance which might cause ill feelings. Isn't it much more important to keep good will and have close relationship with our siblings even after our parents' deaths?