A week ago, I learnt something I’d never have imagined. I was wandering through the centre of Bath when, purely by chance, I bumped into an old classmate I hadnt seen in ages. We greeted each other, caught up on our lives, and somewhere in our chat she told me that she now works as a nurse at the care home in a nearby village. I told her how admirable that was, that it must be hard but a truly noble job. Just then, she let something slip:
Well, I see your mum there every last Friday of the month.
I stood rooted to the spot. I asked what she meant, what on earth was my mum doing there, and she replied as if it were the most ordinary thing in the world:
Didnt you know? She brings treats for all the residents. Every month. Without fail. Its a lovely bit of charity, really.
I had no idea what to say. I felt embarrassed to admit my mum had never mentioned any of this, and I hadnt the slightest clue. My old classmate mustve thought I was winding her up, but when she saw my face, she added:
Your mothers very modest. She pops in, says hello, drops everything off and quietly goes on her way.
That evening, as soon as I got home, I asked her straight out:
Mum, why have you never told me that you go to the care home every month?
She was sweeping the kitchen, hardly even lifting her head:
Why should I have to tell you?
I pressed a bit:
Because its wonderful! Its important
She leant the broom against the wall, looked at me calmly and said,
I dont think good deeds are something you show off about. You do them, and thats that. God sees it all thats enough for me.
She explained that, two years ago, after her close friend had passed away, she felt the urge to do something kind for someone else. One day, walking past the care home, shed seen some elderly folk sitting outside and made up her mind to pop in. She had a chat with the manager and asked what they might need.
From then on, every last Friday of the month, my mum buys fruit juice, little cakes, biscuits whatever she can manage and takes them along. Sometimes she brings wet wipes or toiletries, depending on how things have gone financially that month.
She told me she hadnt wanted to involve anyone because she didnt want people thinking she was after attention or a pat on the back. She prefers doing it quietly, in her own way.
When you want to help, you just help. If you dont, thats fine too. But I dont need to tell anyone. I know what I do.
She said this as she was clearing away the dinner plates.
That whole night, I couldnt stop thinking about it. My mum a straightforward, humble woman who often goes without herself goes every month to bring a bit of cheer to people nobody else visits. I felt a rush of pride but also a pang at knowing shed carried this on her own.
Im thinking of going with her next Friday. But I still dont know how to bring it up, in case she feels Im meddling or invading her privacy.
What I do know is this: seeing my mum do something so big, so quietly… It changed something in my heart.
