HOW COULD SHE COME TO MY HOUSE AND FRIGHTEN MY CHILDREN? I YELLED AT HER, «GET OUT!»
My mother had only one eye. I hated her. Her condition filled me with shame. To put food on the table for our family, she worked as a cook in a school. One day, when I was in primary school, she came to visit me. My heart sank. How could she do this? I was so embarrassed. I pretended not to see her, glared at her with disgust, and ran away. The next day, a classmate sneered, «Oi, didnt know your mum was a one-eyed freak.» I wished the ground would swallow me. I wanted her to disappear. That evening, I confronted her and spat, «Why dont you just die so you dont embarrass me anymore?»
She didnt reply. I hadnt even thought before speakingI was too angry to care about her feelings. I didnt want her at home. I worked hard, left for university in London, and built my own life. I married, bought a house, had children, and was content. Then one day, she turned up at my door. Years had passedshed never met her grandchildren. When they saw her, they burst out laughing. How dare she come here and scare them? I shouted, «Get out!»
Quietly, she murmured, «Forgive me. I must have the wrong address,» and vanished.
Years later, an invitation arrived for a school reunion. I told my wife it was a business trip. After the event, curiosity led me to my old home. Neighbours said my mother had died. I felt nothing. They handed me a letter shed left:
«My dearest son, Ive thought of you every day. I regret coming to London and frightening your children. When I heard of your visit, I hoped to see youbut I was too ill. Im sorry my presence shamed you as you grew. When you were little, an accident took your eye. As your mother, I couldnt bear you growing up blind in one eyeso I gave you mine. Now, Im proud knowing you see the world through it. With all my love, Mum.»
Sometimes, the deepest love is the one we fail to see until its gone.
