At 25, I was navigating life as a single mother after my husband decided he preferred the freedom of bachelorhood over family responsibilities. Our daughter, Emilia, was just four years old when he left. He was overwhelmed by the demands of family life and chose to pursue his own interests, leaving us to fend for ourselves. Now, years later, I find myself at odds with Emilia over her own family dynamics.
My aunt Kasia had been married for 30 years. She raised two wonderful children but never allowed herself to indulge in the passions she loved before getting married. It wasn’t about money. No! Kasia, in her youth, was always on the go, traveling the world and coming back with countless unforgettable experiences that eventually faded into mere blurry memories. This is her story of self-discovery and the difficult choices she faced.
Two years ago, we bought a charming old apartment in Warsaw, taking on a hefty mortgage. We embarked on a journey to renovate it without cutting corners on materials or labor. Just as we began, my beloved grandmother passed away, leaving me grappling with grief and expectations.
