Rick is really upset because he expects his mother to give him a big cash gift because he is the only boy in a family of six girls and the last one to get married.
Besides his fiancée, Rick Gordon was the only person in the world who believed he was ready for such a big life commitment.
Rick was nice, but also spoiled and ruthless, which was disturbing.
Rick, whose parents had previously welcomed six daughters, was an only child and the seventh child, so he quickly became popular as a family pet.
One of Rick’s sisters went behind his parents’ backs and got what he wanted when they tried to enforce discipline.
Rick’s mother, who loved him despite having realistic expectations of him, saw that if Rick didn’t grow up quickly, he would collapse and this wedding could be the rock that would trip him up.
Sandy, Rick’s fiancee, enthusiastically organized the entire wedding alongside her mother, something Rick’s mother Carmen had already done six times with her own girls.
After considering his sister’s weddings, Rick decided to stand up for gender equality.
Just two weeks before the wedding, he absentmindedly asked, “Mom? How much is the wedding dress today?”
“For God’s sake,” said Carmen. “The last one cost $8,300 and was for Rita! But I’m aware there could be a lot more.”
“Okay,” Rick smiled. “I’ll take a check for $8,300!”
“What?” Carmen shouted. “What do you mean?”
“I’m getting married and I want what you gave my sisters,” Rick stated. “I can use the $8,300, trust me!”
No matter what her children do, a mother always forgives them.
“However, you claimed to be renting a tuxedo!
You even went to pick it up with Dad!” Carmen exclaimed in shock.
Rick replied icily, “I’m renting a tux, but I think you owe me money.” “I am your child too! I am entitled to rights.
“RIGHTS?” Carmen’s anger began to rise. “You want money because it’s your RIGHT?”
Rick, who was getting upset, exclaimed, “YES!” “I haven’t seen you haggle over the price of SIX wedding receptions, so why be stingy on the measly $8,300 you can afford?”
“Maybe I can afford it,” said Carmen, “but you don’t deserve it!”
Rick turned deathly pale. He exclaimed, “I knew it!” “You never loved me the way you loved my sisters and now you’re finally showing your true colors!”
Carmen replied, “That’s not true Rick, I love you just the same.” “But you really took advantage of all the benefits we gave you! You stole money from your sisters that you won’t be able to pay back, and you squandered your college fund.”
“So you won’t give me the money?” Rick asked furiously. “We got an apartment and $200,000 in seed capital from Sandy’s parents. I just needed a little dollar in my pocket.”
“Rick, $8,300 isn’t pocket money,” Carmen exclaimed in alarm. “And I hope you don’t gamble with Sandy’s money or your marriage won’t last a year!”
“You don’t want my marriage!” Rick howled. “You’re not welcome here either!
You should avoid this area!”
“Carmen!” he exclaimed “Rick!” “You’re not serious!”
“I mean it, mother!” Rick hissed. “Daddy’s welcome, but you’re NOT!”
After telling her husband Bill the whole story that evening, Carmen sobbed in his arms. “Maybe we should give him money,” Bill commented. I know your heart aches to miss this wedding.”
“No, Bill,” Carmen said firmly. “When Rick was growing up, we gave way to him too often.
So the wedding took place without Carmen, yet Rick felt extremely alone because his father and his six sisters wouldn’t let him go without his mother.
For a split second, Rick felt like he’d made a mistake because none of those beloved faces were in sight.
Rick told his new bride that he misses his family after returning from his honeymoon in Tahiti.
“Rick,” Sandy replied, “I think you need to go over there and apologize.”
“Excuse me!” Rick shouted furiously. “I was right! I was worthy of the money.”
Sandy muttered, “Oh god,” she realized she was smarter than Rick thought. “I disagree! From what you told me, your parents had to pay to clean up a lot of expensive messes for you.”
“Yes,” Rick said. “But…”
Sandy, who was starting to sound more and more like Carmen by the minute, continued, “Be honest with yourself Rick. Then pick up the phone and apologize to Mom and invite her to dinner on Saturday.”
After complaining and cursing for a while, Rick picked up the phone and dialed his mother. When she picked it up, he asked her, “Mom?” “This is Rick…Hehe, I wonder if… You’re accurate. What I’m talking about….”
Carmen replied politely, “Are you trying to excuse Rick?” “Because if you do, you have to try harder…”
Rick bowed and replied, “Okay, Mom.” “I’m sorry.
With Sandy’s help, I want to be a better person because I know you and Dad have cleared up a lot of mistakes for me and I haven’t been the most responsible person in the world.”
Carmen replied, “Oh Rick,” her eyes filled with tears. “I’m quite happy! I naturally forgive you, my son, because I love you. Mothers are always the ones to do that!”
It turned out to be the most wonderful wedding celebration when Carmen, Bill, and Rick’s six sisters, along with their husbands and children, went to dinner at Rick and Sandy’s house a week later.
What lessons can we learn from this story?
• Parents never stop loving their kids. Rick believed Carmen loved his sister more than he did, but Carmen was actually attempting to make him a better man.
• No matter what her kids do, a mother will always forgive them. Despite being offended by Rick’s behavior, Carmen chose to forgive him since she loved him without conditions.
The tale of Rick and Carmen underscores profound lessons about parental love and the value of responsibility. Rick’s misguided belief that he deserved a monetary gift equal to what his sisters received led him to clash with his mother, Carmen. Despite Carmen’s consistent love and sacrifices for all her children, Rick’s sense of entitlement blinded him to the real issues. Carmen’s refusal to give in to Rick’s demands, despite her ability to afford it, was a deliberate attempt to teach him a lesson about accountability and the consequences of his actions.
Carmen’s decision to withhold the money was not an act of favoritism but rather a tough-love approach aimed at encouraging Rick to mature and take responsibility for his past mistakes. This difficult choice was driven by her deep concern for his future and her desire to see him grow into a more responsible individual. The eventual reconciliation, spurred by Sandy’s wisdom, highlighted the power of humility and the importance of acknowledging one’s faults.
• Parents never stop loving their children. Rick believed that Carmen loved her sister more than him, but Carmen was actually trying to make him a better man.
• No matter what her children do, a mother always forgives them. Although she was offended by Rick’s behavior, Carmen decided to forgive him because she loved him unconditionally.
The story of Rick and Carmen underscores a profound lesson about parental love and the value of responsibility. Rick’s mistaken belief that he deserves a monetary gift equal to what his sisters received brings him into conflict with his mother, Carmen. Despite Carmen’s consistent love and sacrifices for all her children, Rick’s sense of entitlement has blinded him to the real issues. Carmen’s refusal to give in to Rick’s demands, even though she could afford to, was a deliberate attempt to teach him a lesson about responsibility and the consequences of his actions.
Carmen’s decision to withhold the money was not an act of favoritism, but rather a tough-love approach designed to encourage Rick to grow up and take responsibility for his past mistakes. This difficult choice was driven by her deep concern for his future and her desire to see him grow into a more responsible individual. The final reconciliation, prompted by Sandy’s wisdom, emphasized the power of humility and the importance of admitting one’s mistakes.
In the end, the story reveals that a mother’s love is unwavering and unconditional, capable of forgiving even the harshest of actions. The reunion of Rick with his family at the wedding party, marked by a newfound understanding and reconciliation, illustrates that despite conflicts and mistakes, family bonds can be mended through genuine repentance and love. This narrative serves as a reminder that true growth often requires facing one’s shortcomings and learning from the guidance of those who care the most.