My Little Daughter Prepared a Wishlist for Santa but Her Last Wish Made Me Question My Marriage

When my 5-year-old daughter, Lily, handed me the letter she’d written to Santa, I expected toys and gadgets. But her last wish made my stomach drop. It wasn’t about her. It was about her grandma and my husband. Her innocent words left me questioning my marriage and wondering what was happening behind my back.

There’s something magical about raising a 5-year-old.

My daughter, Lily, is the light of my life. She’s got the kind of curiosity that makes every day an adventure.

A little girl standing outside | Source: Midjourney

A little girl standing outside | Source: Midjourney

Whether it’s her endless questions about why the sky is blue or her fascination with how cookies bake in the oven, Lily’s wonder keeps me on my toes and fills our home with laughter.

I’ve been married to Jeff for six years, and life has been mostly smooth sailing. We’ve had our share of ups and downs, but we’ve managed to build a good life together.

A couple sitting together | Source: Midjourney

A couple sitting together | Source: Midjourney

He’s a great Dad to Lily. She loves it when he plays tea party with her or reads bedtime stories. Watching the two of them together makes me feel like I won the marriage lottery.

As Christmas approached, Lily was bubbling with excitement to write her annual letter to Santa. It’s a tradition we’ve had since her very first Christmas when she was too young to hold a crayon.

This year, she insisted on doing most of it herself.

A little girl holding a pen | Source: Midjourney

A little girl holding a pen | Source: Midjourney

“I’m a big girl now, Mommy!” she declared, holding up a red marker with an exaggerated look of determination.

I decided to make it extra special by sitting with her to brainstorm her wishes. I figured there’d be a few predictable requests. Something pink, something glittery, maybe a toy she saw on TV. And for the most part, that’s exactly how it went.

“I want a kitchen set,” she began. “A camera like James has, a smartwatch like Pam’s, and… oh, I want Grandma to play with me, not with Dad.”

An older woman | Source: Midjourney

An older woman | Source: Midjourney

What did she just say? I thought.

“Grandma?” I asked, looking at her with wide eyes. “My mom or Daddy’s mom?”

“Yours,” she replied. “She comes when I’m usually asleep, around three p.m. One time, I woke up and heard something. I saw Grandma’s bag and heard her voice in your bedroom. When I went in, Daddy was putting on his shirt. When I asked Grandma to play, they said they’d already played, so Grandma was leaving.”

An angry woman | Source: Midjourney

An angry woman | Source: Midjourney

I couldn’t believe her words. I thought she was making this up.

I laughed nervously. “Honey, I think you dreamed that. Grandma doesn’t—”

“No, I saw her,” Lily interrupted firmly. “And she really was there.”

I shrugged it off, trying not to read into it. But a seed of doubt had already been planted.

Over the next few days, Lily’s innocent words kept replaying in my mind, no matter how much I told myself it was probably just a misunderstanding.

A woman standing outdoors | Source: Midjourney

A woman standing outdoors | Source: Midjourney

My mom and… my husband? No, it couldn’t be. Jeff adored me, and my mom was, well, my mom. But still, there were little things I couldn’t ignore.

For one, Mom had been dropping by more often in the afternoons, but only when I wasn’t home.

I called her to ask about it.

“Why don’t you come when I’m around, Mom?” I asked casually. “It’s been weeks since I last saw you.”

A woman using her phone | Source: Pexels

A woman using her phone | Source: Pexels

“I just stopped by while going home from work,” she told me. “We’ll meet soon, honey.”

“Work? Oh. How’s it going?” I asked.

“It’s… okay,” she replied. “I’ve been thinking about switching my career now. I told you about it before as well. I—”

“Mom, please!” I cut her off. “You’re a lawyer and that’s perfect!”

That’s all I got whenever I called her. She never visited when I was home.

A woman talking on the phone | Source: Midjourney

A woman talking on the phone | Source: Midjourney

And then there was Jeff.

Lately, he’d been complaining about back pain, wincing every time he stood up or bent down. When I asked about it, he brushed me off with a quick, “It’s nothing serious.”

But now, that casual dismissal felt like another puzzle piece I couldn’t fit.

The first real red flag came a few days later when I was cleaning out a drawer in our bedroom. I found a small, nearly empty bottle of lavender massage oil tucked behind some old socks.

It wasn’t mine, and I didn’t remember seeing it before.

A person holding an oil bottle | Source: Pexels

A person holding an oil bottle | Source: Pexels

“What’s this?” I asked Jeff, holding up the bottle.

“Oh, that’s your mom’s,” he replied with a shrug. “She’s been, uh, using it for her back.”

“For her back?” I repeated.

“Yeah, she left it here by accident,” he said nonchalantly, walking away before I could ask anything else.

Something about his tone didn’t sit right with me. And then Lily’s comments replayed in my mind.

A man sitting in his house | Source: Midjourney

A man sitting in his house | Source: Midjourney

Is Jeff hiding something from me? I thought. Did Lily really see Mom and Jeff in our bedroom?

These thoughts were making me go crazy, and what made things worse was Mom’s behavior lately.

So, the thing is, my mom’s always been polished and professional. She’s this proud lawyer who’d wear heels even to casual family dinners.

But recently, she’d traded her usual tailored suits for yoga pants and oversized tees.

A woman in an oversized shirt | Source: Pexels

A woman in an oversized shirt | Source: Pexels

“What’s up with the new outfits, Mom?” I asked her one day.

“Oh, nothing,” she smiled. Just trying to relax more.”

Her answer made sense, but not if I analyzed it with Lily’s words ringing in my mind. I couldn’t help but wonder why her sudden transformation coincided with her secret visits to my place.

Then there were her hushed conversations with Jeff.

A woman in a bedroom | Source: Midjourney

A woman in a bedroom | Source: Midjourney

One night, I walked past the living room and saw them sitting close, their heads bent together. Mom was whispering, “We’ll have to keep this between us. She wouldn’t understand.”

Jeff nodded but they both went silent the moment they saw me.

“Everything okay?” I asked, trying to sound casual.

“Fine!” Mom chirped, standing quickly and brushing her hands on her pants. “Just discussing, uh, holiday plans.”

It didn’t feel fine. And Jeff’s behavior didn’t help. He’d started acting overly attentive, bringing me coffee in bed, folding laundry without being asked, and even volunteering to pick up groceries.

A trolley in a grocery store | Source: Pexels

A trolley in a grocery store | Source: Pexels

I should’ve been happy, but it felt off. It felt like he was trying too hard.

At that point, I was sure something was happening behind my back, but I wasn’t certain if confronting Mom and Jeff directly would help.

I knew I had to do something myself.

The final straw came on a random Tuesday. I was packing Lily’s lunch when she casually asked if her grandma would visit.

A close-up shot of a lunch box | Source: Pexels

A close-up shot of a lunch box | Source: Pexels

“She always comes on Tuesdays,” she said.

“Really?” I asked. “Maybe she might come this time as well.”

And that was the point when I decided it was time to find out the truth.

That day, I left work early, determined to catch whatever was happening.

As I pulled into the driveway, I felt a knot of anxiety tighten in my chest. I quietly opened the door and stepped inside.

A woman in her car | Source: Midjourney

A woman in her car | Source: Midjourney

The house was silent, but faint murmurs drifted from upstairs. I quietly crept up the stairs, and my heart pounded louder with each step.

I stopped by the bedroom door. My breath caught as I heard Jeff sigh.

“That’s perfect,” he murmured.

I couldn’t wait any longer, so I flung the door open and froze.

What I saw wasn’t what I had imagined.

A doorknob | Source: Pexels

A doorknob | Source: Pexels

My mother was there, yes.

She was perched on the edge of the bed, her hands pressing firmly into Jeff’s back. His shirt was off, but it wasn’t the romantic, scandalous scene I’d feared.

It looked like a… MASSAGE.

Both of them turned to me with startled expressions, as if I were the intruder.

“What are you doing here, Mom?” I demanded.

Mom blushed, fumbling with the small bottle of lavender massage oil beside her.

“Brisa, I — this isn’t what it looks like,” she stammered.

An older woman | Source: Midjourney

An older woman | Source: Midjourney

“Oh, so it’s not you sneaking into my house every afternoon to play with my husband?” I shot back.

“Brisa, calm down,” Jeff said. “It’s nothing like that.”

Mom sighed, setting the oil down.

“Okay, I can explain,” she cleared her throat. “I’d been thinking about a career change, Brisa. I told you as well, remember?”

I nodded.

“I want to be a massage therapist, honey. And Jeff, well, he’s been having terrible back pain, so he agreed to let me practice on him.”

A woman talking to her daughter | Source: Midjourney

A woman talking to her daughter | Source: Midjourney

“What?” I blurted out. “But why didn’t you guys tell me?”

“I thought you wouldn’t understand,” she said. “You see, no one took me seriously when I said I wanted to change my career. You weren’t ready to accept that I didn’t want to be a lawyer anymore, and your dad also thought becoming a massage therapist was absurd. But Jeff… he was the only one who supported me.”

I couldn’t believe this was what Mom and Jeff were hiding from me. Had I really jumped to such wild conclusions?

I stared at them, feeling like the world’s biggest fool.

A woman looking at her mother | Source: Midjourney

A woman looking at her mother | Source: Midjourney

“So… this is all about back pain and a new career?” I asked weakly.

“Yes,” Mom said, her voice soft now. “I didn’t mean to hide it, Brisa. But after how dismissive everyone was, I didn’t see the point in telling anyone except Jeff. He’s been so supportive, and I didn’t want to burden you with it.”

“And honestly, I didn’t think it was a big deal,” Jeff said. “I didn’t want to add to your stress with Christmas coming up.”

A man talking to his wife | Source: Midjourney

A man talking to his wife | Source: Midjourney

I let out a shaky laugh. “Well, you both could’ve saved me a lot of sleepless nights by just saying something.”

Mom leaned forward, squeezing my hand. “I’m sorry, honey. I never meant to make you feel like something was wrong.”

In that moment, I realized how quick I’d been to jump to conclusions. My mother wasn’t sneaking around. She was chasing a passion. And my husband wasn’t betraying me. He was just supporting her.

A close-up shot of a man's face | Source: Midjourney

A close-up shot of a man’s face | Source: Midjourney

“I’m also sorry,” I said. “I jumped to such absurd conclusions without investigating anything… And Mom, I’m sorry for not believing in you. Go for it, please. Become a massage therapist. You’ve got my full support.”

And just like that, the tension melted away, leaving us stronger than before.

Christmas that year turned out to be one of the best we’d ever had. Mom proudly announced her plans to enroll in massage therapy school over dinner, and for the first time, we all cheered her on.

A Christmas tree | Source: Pexels

A Christmas tree | Source: Pexels

Meanwhile, Lily beamed as she unwrapped her gifts, especially the kitchen set she’d been dreaming of.

And as we sat around the tree, sipping hot cocoa and laughing, I realized how lucky I was to have a family that could weather misunderstandings and come out stronger.

It was a Christmas filled with love, trust, and new beginnings.

If you enjoyed reading this story, here’s another one you might like: Claire thought her whirlwind romance was the start of her happily ever after—until an overheard conversation between her mother and her husband, James. Betrayed by the two people she trusted most, Claire embarks on a journey to uncover their motives and reclaim her life.

This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.

The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.

Siblings Derrick, 4, and Harmony, 7, Lost Their Lives in the Devastating Hurricane Helene: What We Know

What began as a peaceful evening for the Taylor family quickly turned into an unimaginable tragedy. Kisses were exchanged before bedtime, with no one realizing that by the next morning, their lives would be shattered by devastating news.

Among the more than two dozen victims of the catastrophic storm in Georgia were a brother and sister, Derrick and Harmony. Their untimely deaths have left the entire community mourning, as families try to cope with the overwhelming grief of losing loved ones.

On the evening of September 26, 2024, Crystal Taylor, 34, spent time with her eldest daughter, Cassidy, 11, as they snuggled up on the couch watching “Beat Bobby Flay.” As they drifted off to sleep, Crystal kept one eye on the weather, monitoring the approaching Hurricane Helene. In the bedroom, her husband, Herbert Taylor, 39, was asleep with their two younger children, Harmony, 7, and Derrick, 4.

Though they knew Hurricane Helene was heading toward eastern Middle Georgia, the family wasn’t sure how much it would affect them inland. But as midnight came and went, the storm’s fury descended on the area, sweeping through the countryside and moving relentlessly across rivers toward Sandersville, a small town right in its path.

Around 4:00 a.m., Crystal received a call from her mother, checking if the house was still safe. Crystal reassured her that everything was fine, though the winds had picked up and a giant oak tree loomed over the backyard. Herbert, waking up, saw the wind lift the cover off his truck and moved toward the children’s bedroom to check on them.

Before he could reach them, disaster struck. The massive oak tree crashed onto the bed where Harmony and Derrick were sleeping, collapsing the house in a split second. Herbert shouted in panic, “My babies,” as the impact triggered an electrical fire. Crystal and Cassidy rushed to safety at a neighbor’s house, while Cassidy tearfully called 911.

Cassidy remained brave as she explained, “A tree fell on our house. My little brother and sister are trapped inside, and the house is on fire.” Emergency crews arrived to find the home engulfed and the oak tree blocking access to the children. Despite their best efforts, it took over five hours to cut through the tree, and by then, it was too late.

Crystal, in her heartbreak, clung to hope as she waited, imagining her children emerging safely. She could see Derrick asking for his favorite cookies and crackers, and Harmony asking for her favorite boiled potatoes made by her grandfather. But tragically, the children were gone.

The Taylor family, now grieving the loss of Derrick and Harmony, has expressed their gratitude for the outpouring of love and support. Herbert shared on social media how much the prayers and kind words have meant to them, while Crystal echoed his sentiments, thanking everyone for their care during this difficult time.

The Taylors have also been receiving generous financial support through Herbert’s Cash App, $Rick4715, as well as via a GoFundMe campaign organized by Brittany Price and Jenna Barefield on behalf of the family. So far, the GoFundMe has raised over $45,000 out of its $50,000 goal.

The page reads, “We kindly ask for your support to help the family during this devastating time, covering funeral expenses, securing a new home, and managing daily costs. Their eldest daughter also remains in their care.”

With more than 750 contributions, the Taylors are incredibly grateful for the flood of financial help, prayers, and thoughtful gestures from their community.

The Taylors, along with other affected families, are working to rebuild their lives after such a heartbreaking loss. As previously reported, Hurricane Helene has left a tragic trail of destruction, taking the lives of many, including a young boy and his grandparents. The boy’s aunt shared the heartbreaking details of their story in a lengthy post online.

According to CBS News, Hurricane Helene has claimed at least 135 lives so far. Among the hardest-hit states, North Carolina has suffered the most, with over 80 reported deaths, according to officials.

One particularly heart-wrenching account shared by the news outlet involved a mother, her young son, and her parents who were stranded on a rooftop in Ashville, North Carolina. As the floodwaters rose and their house collapsed, Megan Drye tragically watched her 7-year-old son, Micah, and her parents get swept away. While Megan was rescued, Micah and his grandparents were not as fortunate.

Megan’s sister, Jessica Drye Turner, took to Facebook to share updates about the tragedy. In her post, dated September 30, Jessica expressed the emotional toll the loss has taken on her and her family, as they come to terms with the heartbreaking reality.

“I feel a sense of peace knowing we will see them again one day,” Jessica wrote, sharing her faith in the belief that her loved ones are now with Jesus. She reflected on how the fear and desperation they experienced during their final moments have now been replaced with peace in the afterlife.

Jessica also acknowledged the immense grief her sister Megan faces, having witnessed the tragic events firsthand. “It breaks my heart that Megan will have to live with those memories, but they are no longer suffering,” she shared, adding that Megan has a long road ahead to heal from the trauma.

In a particularly poignant moment, Jessica revealed that Micah’s body had been found about a quarter of a mile from where Megan was rescued. “He was such a perfect little boy,” Jessica wrote, “He always wanted to be a superhero, and now he is.”

Jessica also shared that Micah’s final words were a plea to heaven: “Jesus! Please help me!” She concluded the post by stating that despite the grief, her faith remains strong, adopting a new motto: “New grief and strong faith.”

Jessica’s post also recounted the terrifying experience Megan endured while waiting to be rescued. Swept away by the flood, Megan found herself wedged between two trailers, where she remained for three agonizing hours before help finally arrived.

Much like Jessica, Heather’s friend, Amanda Sprouse Simpkins, also took to Facebook to share the heartbreaking news.

In her post, Amanda urged, “Please lift up Megan, Jessica Drye Turner, Heather, and their family in your prayers. Megan has suffered an unimaginable loss and is left with nothing. If you feel called to help, please consider giving. If not, your prayers are more than enough.”

Amanda’s plea referred to the GoFundMe page that Heather set up to support her sister during this difficult time.

“For Megan Drye, our miracle, who has endured every mother’s worst fear. She survived the unthinkable but has lost everything. The kindness and generosity of others will be what sustains her, helping her take one breath, one step, and one day at a time,” reads part of the GoFundMe description.

Adding another layer of heartbreak to this tragedy is that Heather chose the last photo Micah’s grandmother ever took of him for the page. The picture shows Micah, wearing a Jurassic World T-shirt, smiling happily while his grandmother is seen in the reflection of the door, capturing the moment.

Even as Hurricane Helene’s fury subsides, its aftermath continues to leave devastation across several states. Despite efforts to minimize the damage, the storm’s impact has been overwhelming.

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