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 kitchen. 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 said, «Wow, your mums only got one eye!» I wished the ground would swallow me. I wanted her to disappear. That evening, I confronted her and spat, «Wouldnt it be better if you just died, so you wouldnt humiliate me?»
She didnt reply. I hadnt even thought before speakingI was too angry. I didnt care about her feelings. I didnt want her at home. I worked hard, left for university in London, and built a life for myself. I married, bought a house, had children, and was content. Then one day, my mother showed up at my door. Years had passed since shed last seen me, and she had never met her grandchildren. When she stepped inside, my children laughed at her. How could she come into my home and scare my kids? I shouted, «GET OUT!»
Quietly, she replied, «Forgive me. I must have the wrong house,» and vanished.
Years later, I received an invitation to a school reunion. I told my wife I was going on a business trip. After the event, out of curiosity, I visited my childhood home. The neighbours told me my mother had passed away. I felt nothing. They handed me a letter she had left for me.
«My dearest son, I never stopped thinking of you. Im so sorry for coming to London and frightening your children. When I heard you were attending the reunion, my heart leaptbut I wasnt sure Id live long enough to see you. I regret the shame I caused you as you grew up. But you see, my love, when you were little, there was an accident, and you lost an eye. As your mother, I couldnt bear the thought of you growing up with only one. So I gave you mine. Now, when I think of you seeing the world through it, I am proud beyond words. With all my love, Mum.»
The greatest sacrifices are often the ones we never seeuntil its too late.
