Matriarch wants respect from squabbling children

The 85-year-old matriarch of the Yanson Group of Bus Companies appealed to her children to honor and respect her as their mother and co-founder of the bus conglomerate as she has only a few years to live.

“If you go out of your way and spend hours to be with your friends, why cannot you spare just 30 minutes a week and spend it with me? If I call your phones, you would not answer. When I visit you, you would give all reasons not to see me,” Olivia V. Yanson said.

“Am I asking too much from each one of you? Many of you have not even visited me in my house since your father died. My pillow is full of tears every morning because of all the pain you are giving me. I think I don’t deserve this after I have sacrificed my life for each one of you. My only wish in the twilight of my life is to see all you as a family and not fighting one another,” she said.

“Your father and myself made sure that each one of you would live more than comfortably but instead of counting your blessings, you turned against each other. If you continue to fight each other, there would be nothing left for the next generation. Be reminded that you are only stewards of this business for the next generation and your actions would determine their future. What more do you want?” she said.

“Each one of you has already more than enough, so set aside your anger, jealousy and greed and instead work on forgiving each other so that the next generation and the generations to come can also enjoy the blessings we have left behind,” the Yanson matriarch said.