Emma visited her elderly mother, Margaret, every other day, leaving food and water by the bedside before hurrying away.
Margaret had once been a lively woman, known for her delicious home-cooked meals and freshly baked pies. Shed generously shared them with neighbours and family alike. But Emma felt embarrassed by her mothera simple country woman who had spent her life working the land. After her husband passed, Margaret lived alone, and Emma rarely visited. Over time, her mother began forgetting things, even speaking nonsense at times.
One afternoon, Emma arrived to find the house reeking of smoke. Margaret had left the oven on.
“What on earth are you doing? You cant even warm a meal without nearly burning the house down!” Emma shouted.
“Darling, Im so sorry! Its never happened before!” Margaret pleaded.
Her health worsened. Walking became difficult, even inside the house. One day, Margaret called Emma, her voice weak.
“Emma, I dont feel wellmy blood pressures spiked. Can you come?”
“Call an ambulance! Im not a doctor!” Emma snapped, hanging up.
Soon, Margaret stopped leaving the house entirely, forcing Emma to visit weekly. She grudgingly brought the cheapest groceries, did a bit of tidying, and took out the rubbishalways furious.
“How can one person make such a mess? Its disgraceful!”
Each visit ended with Emma slamming the door behind her. Eventually, Margaret stopped getting out of bed. Emma came every other day, leaving meals and water without a word. Then, one morning, she found her mother had passed.
After the funeral, Emma visited the grave often, weeping.
“Oh, how I miss my dear, beloved mother! She was the kindest soul in the world!”
But did she truly remember only the good? Had she forgotten how shed neglected Margaret, refused to help, scorned her in frailty? Regret comes too latelove should be shown while theres still time.
