My daughter and Son In Law shamed me for getting a tattoo at 75. I decided to give them a lesson

It was a sunny morning in New Orleans, and Elis, at 75, decided to do something bold and unexpected. The idea of getting a tattoo had been bubbling in her mind for a while. She wanted to feel young again, to embrace life with a fresh sense of vigor. So, she walked into a tattoo parlor, chose a delicate design that symbolized her resilience and love for life, and got inked. She felt a rush of excitement and satisfaction as she admired the artwork on her arm. This was her statement to the world: age was just a number.

The Unexpected Backlash

Excited to share her new tattoo, Elis invited her family over for a small gathering. She imagined their surprise and hoped for a positive reaction. However, the moment her daughter saw the tattoo, her face twisted in disapproval.“Mom, what on earth were you thinking?” she exclaimed. “At your age, getting a tattoo is not just inappropriate, it’s downright embarrassing. You’re supposed to be a dignified grandmother, not some rebellious teenager. It looks ridiculous, and people will laugh at you.”For Illustrative Purpose OnlyElis felt a pang of hurt, but what followed was even worse. Her son-in-law, whom she had always treated like her own son, burst into uncontrollable laughter. He laughed so hard that he could barely stand, tears streaming down his face.“That’s hilarious, Mom! Seriously, a tattoo at your age?” he managed to say between fits of laughter. Elis’s heart sank. It wasn’t just the words; it was the cruel mockery that hurt the most. She felt humiliated and deeply wounded by their reactions.

Planning the Perfect Payback

Determined not to let their harsh words and laughter define her, Elis decided to turn her pain into power. She recalled how her son-in-law, a man who did nothing but dream of becoming a millionaire while relying on her daughter for everything, had hurt her deeply. This was the final straw. Elis resolved to teach him a lesson he would never forget.Over the next two days, Elis meticulously planned her revenge. She decided to expose her son-in-law’s laziness and lack of ambition in a way that would be both humiliating and eye-opening for him. She reached out to a few of her friends who were skilled in various trades, including one who was an excellent actor.

The Day of Reckoning

Two days later, Elis put her plan into action. She invited her family over again, this time under the pretense of needing help with some household repairs. Her son-in-law, always looking for an excuse to avoid real work, reluctantly agreed to come.When they arrived, they found Elis waiting with a toolbox and a list of chores that needed to be done. She handed the list to her son-in-law, who looked bewildered.“What’s this?” he asked, confused.“I thought you could help out with these tasks,” Elis said sweetly. “After all, you’re always talking about how handy you are.”For Illustrative Purpose OnlyHe glanced at the list, which included tasks like fixing the leaky faucet, repairing a broken fence, and rewiring a lamp. He looked around, realizing there was no way he could do any of these tasks.Just as he was about to protest, Elis’s friend, the actor, arrived dressed as a professional contractor. He introduced himself and began to demonstrate how to tackle each task, making it look easy. The son-in-law watched, flustered and embarrassed, as he fumbled with the tools, unable to keep up.

A Lesson Learned

As the day progressed, – it became clear that the son-in-law was utterly incapable of completing even the simplest tasks. Elis watched with a mixture of satisfaction and pity. Her daughter, seeing her husband’s incompetence, began to realize how much she had been enabling his laziness.Elis’s plan worked perfectly. By the end of the day, her son-in-law was exhausted, humiliated, and forced to confront his lack of practical skills. Elis pulled him aside and, with a calm but firm voice, said, “You laughed at me for wanting to feel young and alive again. But look at you now. Maybe it’s time you grew up and started taking responsibility for your life.”Her words struck a chord. The son-in-law, humbled by the experience, apologized for his behavior. He promised to make a real effort to improve and become more self-reliant. Elis accepted his apology but made it clear that she would not tolerate any more disrespect.

Moving Forward –In the weeks that followed, Elis noticed a change in her son-in-law. He began taking on more responsibilities and actively sought to better himself. Her daughter, too, started to appreciate her mother’s strength and independence.As for Elis, she continued to embrace life with the same youthful spirit that led her to get the tattoo. She joined a local fitness class, started attending social events, and even began dating again. She proved to herself and everyone around her that age was no barrier to living life to the fullest.Elis’s bold step had not only rejuvenated her spirit but also brought about a much-needed change in her family. And every time she looked at her tattoo, she smiled, reminded of the strength and courage it took to stand up for herself and teach a valuable lesson in the process.

Woman Arrives at the Farm She Inherited from Her Grandfather to Sell It, but a Farmhand Stands in Her Way — Story of the Day

Rebecca arrives at the farm she inherited, ready to sell it and move on. But a stubborn farmhand refuses to let her make an easy sale. He challenges her at every turn, forcing her to confront not just him but the memories and responsibilities she thought she left behind. Their clash will decide the farm’s fate.

Early in the morning, Rebecca got into her car, the sun barely peeking over the horizon. This wasn’t part of her usual routine, but something unexpected had come up, and she had to deal with it.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Leaving her small business in the hands of her assistant, she set off on a long drive, heading out of the busy city.

Rebecca was on her way to her late grandfather’s farm, which he had left to her in his will. She hadn’t been there in years. As a child, she spent summers there, running around and playing, but once she grew older her visits stopped.

Rebecca always assumed her grandfather would pass the farm on to one of his workers, someone who truly needed it. Now, she had no intention of running it herself. Her plan was simple—check things out, find a buyer, and sell it as quickly as possible.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Rebecca parked near the farmhouse and stepped out, glancing around. As she turned, she noticed a man on the porch. He stood up quickly, smiling.

“Hey there,” he said. “You must be my new boss. I’m Derek.” He stepped forward, offering his hand.

Rebecca shook it, frowning slightly. Something about him seemed familiar. “Hi, Derek. But you’ve got it wrong. I’m not your boss.”

Derek tilted his head. “Well then, may I at least know the name of my non-boss?”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“Oh,” Rebecca said, realizing she hadn’t introduced herself. “I’m Rebecca.”

“Wait a minute. Are you the same Rebecca who let all the chickens out so the dog could have fun?” He chuckled.

Rebecca’s eyes widened as the memory came back. Derek was the son of one of her grandfather’s workers, and they used to play together when she was little. “And you’re the same Derek who taught me to chase them with a slingshot?”

“Guilty as charged,” he said, raising his hands in mock surrender. They both laughed, easing the tension.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Derek’s expression grew serious. “So, what do you mean you’re not my boss? The farm was left to you, right?”

Rebecca’s smile faded. “Yes, but I don’t plan to keep it. I’m here to sell it.”

“What? Sell it? To who?”

“I don’t know yet,” she said, shrugging. “Whoever wants to buy it.”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“Even if they tear it down?” he asked.

“Well… yes.”

Derek stepped closer, his voice rising. “How could you do that? Your grandfather spent his life on this farm! It was everything to him.”

Rebecca felt a pang of guilt but tried to stand her ground. “He’s gone, Derek. And I have my own life. Being a farmer wasn’t part of my plan.”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Derek’s eyes searched hers. “What about the animals? The people who work here? You’re just going to let them lose everything?”

She hesitated. “The new owner will handle that.”

Derek’s face darkened. “You don’t care at all, do you?”

“I care. It’s just… not my responsibility anymore,” she said quietly, turning to walk toward the house.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Derek’s voice followed her. “You heartless witch!”

Rebecca winced but didn’t turn back. She quickened her pace, heading inside, trying to ignore the doubts his words stirred.

The next morning, Rebecca was startled awake by a knock on her door. She groggily got up and opened it to find a man standing on the porch.

“Good morning, Rebecca,” he said, nodding politely. “I’m Travis. I manage the fields here. Something’s happened, and I think you’ll want to see it.”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Rebecca rubbed her eyes. “Morning. Just give me a moment to get dressed.”

She quickly threw on the first clothes she found, then followed Travis outside. They walked through the farm until they reached one of the main fields. Rebecca’s heart sank when she saw the crops. They looked weak, wilted, and sickly.

“What’s wrong with them?” she asked.

Travis sighed, his expression grim. “Hard to say. Maybe someone spread something to damage them. Could be competitors. But if we don’t act fast, we’ll lose the entire crop.”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Rebecca’s face tightened. “I don’t care. I’m selling the farm. That’s my plan.”

Travis glanced at her. “You’d get a lot more money if you sold it as a working farm. Not just land.”

Rebecca knew he had a point. She hesitated, then asked, “So, what do you need from me?”

“I need an extra worker. One of our guys is out sick, and we don’t have enough hands,” Travis explained.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“Alright,” Rebecca said. “I’ll find someone to help.”

Rebecca spent the entire day making phone calls, trying to find someone to hire. She went through a long list of contacts, but every answer was the same—nobody was available.

By evening, she was exhausted, her energy completely drained. She felt like a squeezed lemon, with nothing left to give.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Tired and frustrated, Rebecca found herself wandering toward the stables. She remembered how, as a child, she would sit there for hours, surrounded by the soft sounds of the horses.

It always calmed her. She gently petted their noses, fed them some hay, and felt a wave of comfort wash over her. She sighed, thinking, who would have imagined this farm could bring her so many problems?

“Oh, I didn’t know princesses visited stables,” Derek said, his tone icy as he stepped inside.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Rebecca turned, frowning. “What’s with the attitude?”

Derek folded his arms. “How else should I talk to someone who doesn’t care?”

“For your information, I spent all day trying to find a worker for Travis,” she snapped. She wasn’t sure why she felt the need to explain herself, but his accusation stung.

Derek’s lips curled into a bitter smile. “So you can sell the farm for a better price. That’s what Travis said.”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Rebecca rolled her eyes, trying to ignore the guilt building inside her.

“I can help Travis,” Derek said, “but I need support with the livestock. That’s my job.”

“There’s no one available to work,” she said.

Derek stepped closer, his gaze steady. “You could help.”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Rebecca blinked, surprised. “Me?”

He raised an eyebrow. “Or are your hands too soft for real work?”

“I know how to work,” she shot back. “It’s the only thing I’ve ever really known how to do.”

“Good,” Derek said, turning toward the door. “Then it’s settled.”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Rebecca stood there, still processing, as he walked away, wondering how she’d just agreed to help.

For the next few weeks, Rebecca found herself doing things she never expected. She woke up early each morning, pulling on boots and gloves, ready to work. She helped the workers in the fields, fed the animals, and even joined them in the kitchen, cooking meals after long days.

At first, she thought it would be a struggle, but the workers were patient and kind, teaching her the tasks step by step. They treated her like part of the team, and she started to see how much they cared about the farm.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Rebecca began to question if selling the farm was the right decision. Every night, she fell into bed exhausted, but it was a different kind of tiredness. The farm, once just a burden, was slowly becoming a place she was starting to care about.

One evening, as she walked back to the house, she spotted something unusual—small surveillance cameras mounted on poles, pointing straight at the field. Why hadn’t she noticed them before?

After asking around, she learned from Sarah, a longtime farm worker, where to access the footage. Sarah brought it to the house, and Rebecca started watching the recordings.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

She fast-forwarded until she found what she was looking for—footage of someone sneaking through the field, scattering a strange powder over the crops. The image was blurry at first, but then the figure’s face came into view. Rebecca’s heart dropped. It was Derek.

Furious, she slammed her laptop shut and stormed out of the house. Without thinking, she marched straight toward Derek’s cabin, her mind spinning.

Rebecca stormed up to Derek’s door. When he opened it, she held out her laptop, the screen showing the footage. “Care to explain this?!” she snapped.

Derek sighed, his shoulders drooping. “I was trying to delay the sale,” he said.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“So you decided to destroy the farm?!” Rebecca yelled, her voice shaking.

“I didn’t destroy it,” Derek replied. “I slowed things down. It worked. I know you’ve started to care.”

“You can’t just do that, Derek! People had to work harder because of you!” she shouted.

“I thought you didn’t care about the people here,” he said. “I wanted to make you see what this farm means.”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Rebecca felt a sting in his words, but she refused to back down. “But you messed up! I don’t care! That’s why I’m selling it—to the first buyer who shows up!” she yelled, her voice cracking as she turned and stormed away, leaving Derek standing there.

Two days later, two businessmen arrived at the farm. Rebecca greeted them with a polite smile and led them on a tour, showing them the fields, the barns, and the house. She kept her tone professional, trying to stay detached.

After the tour, Ryan, one of the men, said, “We’re ready to buy it.”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Rebecca felt a weight lift from her shoulders. “Great! When can we sign the contract?” she asked.

“Right now,” said the other man, Tom. “We brought our lawyer with us.”

Rebecca nodded and led them inside. They sat at the dining table, and the lawyer set the papers down. She picked up the pen, but her hand froze. Something didn’t feel right. “You’re buying the farm to run it, right?” she asked.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“Not exactly,” Ryan replied. “We plan to build a factory here. Is that a problem?”

Rebecca’s stomach twisted. She hesitated, but forced a smile. “No, no problem.” Her eyes drifted to the wall. A childhood photo of her and her grandfather hung there—she was feeding a calf, smiling wide. She took a deep breath, pushing the papers closer. Slowly, she prepared to sign.

After fifteen minutes, Rebecca walked Ryan, Tom, and their lawyer out of the house. She spotted Derek sitting under a tree, watching. Tom shook her hand. “Well, good luck,” he said. Ryan did the same, and then they drove off.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Derek got up and walked over. “Congratulations,” he said flatly. “The farm’s no longer your problem. How much did you sell it for?”

Rebecca looked at him. “I changed my mind.”

“What?” Derek’s eyes widened, confused.

“I’m not selling it,” she repeated.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Derek’s frown melted into a smile. “Really?”

“Don’t get too happy,” she said, trying to stay serious. “I’m a demanding boss. My employees usually avoid me.”

Derek suddenly pulled her into a tight hug, catching her off guard. After a moment, she realized what was happening and hugged him back, feeling something warm and hopeful stir inside her.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Tell us what you think about this story and share it with your friends. It might inspire them and brighten their day.

If you enjoyed this story, read this one: My mom always left my dad, swearing it was for good, only to return after his apologies and gifts. It became a pattern I was used to, a cycle that never broke. But this time, when she showed up at my door with a suitcase, she had news that changed everything. Read the full story here.

This piece is inspired by stories from the everyday lives of our readers and written by a professional writer. Any resemblance to actual names or locations is purely coincidental. All images are for illustration purposes only. Share your story with us; maybe it will change someone’s life. If you would like to share your story

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