Emily visited her mother every other day, leaving food and water by the bedside before slipping away.
I have a neighbour named Emily. Her mother had lived alone for many years. Once, she was a wonderful cook, taking great joy in preparing meals and baking treats for the whole family, always sharing generously with the neighbours.
But Emily was ashamed of her mothera simple country woman who had worked the land all her life. After her husband passed, the old woman was left entirely alone. Emily rarely visited, and over time, her mother began forgetting things, even speaking nonsense at times.
One day, Emily dropped by and was met with the strong smell of burning. Her mother had forgotten to turn off the oven.
“What on earth are you doing? You cant even heat a meal without nearly burning the house down!” Emily shouted.
“Darling, Im sorry! Its never happened before!” her mother pleaded.
Her health only worsened. Walking became difficult, even around the house. One evening, she called Emily in distress.
“Em, I dont feel wellmy blood pressures sky-high! Can you come?”
“Do I look like a doctor? Call an ambulance!” Emily snapped, hanging up.
Eventually, her mother stopped leaving the house altogether, and Emily had to visit weekly. She bought the cheapest groceries, did the bare minimum of cleaning, and always left in a rage.
“I dont understand how you live like this! Alone, yet the place is a pigsty! Arent you ashamed?”
Shed slam the door behind her. In time, her mother stopped getting out of bed. Emily came every other day, leaving meals by her side without a word. One day, she arrived to find her mother had passed.
After the funeral, Emily began visiting the grave often, murmuring, “Oh, how I miss my darling, beloved mother! She was the dearest, most precious person in my life!”
Did she truly remember only the good? Had she forgotten how shed neglected her, refused to help, turned away when care was needed? How easy it is to love someone once theyre goneyet so hard to show it while theyre here. A lifes greatest regret is kindness withheld too long.
