After her husband died, the woman sold her house, invested in an apartment for her son and his family, and moved in with them. While she was still strong, she took care of the house, looking after her grandchildren.
My son and daughter-in-law worked, and the woman took her grandchildren to kindergarten, then took them to school, took them to classes and activities. She cooked and cleaned. Care did not weigh on the woman. On the contrary, they even pleased her. Her family needed her. But as the years went by. The grandchildren grew up and “flew away from their native nest,” and the old woman became quite decrepit. She tried to wash dishes, but a plate slipped from her feeble hands and broke.
She poured herself some soup, but could not bring it to the table – she spilled it. She got up at night to drink water – her shuffling woke up her sister-in-law. No one wanted to talk to her. Who needs to talk to an old woman. Her daughter-in-law constantly swore and called her a ballast. What was the old woman’s fault? Old age is no fun. All she had to do was live her life. The son decided to take his mother to a nursing home. “At least she will have someone to talk to there,” he soothed his conscience. In the morning, getting into the car, the old lady remembered her box.
– Son, will you please fetch my box? I forgot it,” she asked her son timidly. – What is the box? – my son asked. – With my jewelry,” the old woman answered, and described how the box looked like. Her son brought her the box. The old woman happily clutched it to her chest. – Mom, what do you keep in it? Mother showed the contents of the box.
There was a lock of his hair and his son’s milk tooth. The man walked away from the car, sat down on the curb. He sat there for a long time, remembering his childhood, how his mother was always there for him, taking care of him, keeping him safe. Never left him without help. – Son, are we going soon? – The mother got out of the car and approached her son. – We’re not going anywhere, Mom. You’re staying home.
