My grandma has this old metal kids lunchbox from the 1980s GI Joe. The thing is in perfect condition, never used for lunches, it just sat on this shelf in her kitchen. Grandma just had weird, cool random stuff like that. Both me (M40) and my cousin (M42) always wanted it. At some point grandma told my cousin he could have it when she died.
My cousin moved out of state 15 years ago, and aside from his parents/sister, no one had seen him, not even grandma.
Grandma got pancreatic cancer last year. She only lived 3 months after the diagnosis. About a month before she passed, she gave me the lunch box because she knew I liked it. I accepted.
This is our second holiday season without her. This year at thanksgiving, my cousin found out I got the lunchbox, and said I need to give it to him, it’s his, grandma gave it to him first. I told him “sorry, it’s mine, grandma gave it to me.” He’s throwing a fit, which got his mom all stirred up, and she’s got my mom all in a fizz saying I should give him the lunchbox, because grandma would have given it to him if he’d been able to come home when she was sick. But I’m like “nah, he didn’t even come home for her funeral.” So AITA for keeping a kids lunchbox?
NTA. Cousin cares more about the lunchbox than grandma. He doesn’t deserve it, or her.
NTA, enjoy your lunchbox.
NTA. He couldn’t be bothered to see grandma in 15 years or attend her funeral. She gave it to you. Your cousin sounds entitled.
Those are on eBay for $60. It all depends on how much this battle is worth to you.
Your cousin probably wants to sell the mint condition G.I. Joe lunch box. Grandma changed her mind on who got it, NTAH
“Mom, I am a grown-ass man at 40 years old. I don’t need you involved in my business “. Give auntie the same statement, then refuse to discuss it further.
This assumes you don’t care about relationship with you cousin, and he doesn’t come to your home where he could snatch it.
Keep it. Doesn’t matter what anyone else says. Keep it. My gramps stationnwagon is sitting in the garage right now.
Tell him he’s 15 years late.
NTA
NTA Nah, that’s your lunchbox now.
Is anyone else triggered that a 1980s GI Joe lunchbox is now a family heirloom from Granny?
She also had an Evil Knivel lunchbox one of my uncles wanted!
NTA if he was absolutely absent for all that time. Not even reaching out during her serious illness. Also, she did actually give it to you. In person and with intent. Surely if grandma had lots of cool things he can find something else.
NTA. People are allowed to change their minds, and she decided to give it to you because you were there and he wasn’t. Thems the breaks. I’m very sorry about your grandma.