When I was seventeen, my father passed away. My mother worked hard at two jobs, and she didn’t earn much. We saved on everything we could. Our family had fruits and sweets only on holidays. I didn’t dare ask my mom for anything. I tried to earn my own living. I have a younger sister. My mother and I tried to do everything so that she did not feel deprived.
Unfortunately, my father’s death was not the end of the troubles in our family. My mother was hospitalized with a stroke. Since then, she has not been able to walk properly. We issued her a disability pension, although this money was not enough for treatment. It was not easy, but I tried to believe in the best.
I had to quit my studies, because from now on I was the only breadwinner in the family. It was very hard to take care of my sick mother and sister. Many people offered to help me, but I refused. Before her illness, my mother was a very kind and sincere person. But after the stroke, she changed.
At first she complained about her unhappy fate, and then about my sister and me. We cooked badly, didn’t clean thoroughly, or spent too much money on ourselves. Especially when she needs the money more.
I tried not to pay attention to her chatter. She was a sick person, and I could understand her. But I was hurt by this attitude towards us. I did everything for her, and she did not appreciate my efforts. My friends repeatedly persuaded me to hire a nurse for my mother and change my job. I had somewhere else to go to earn more money, but that way I wouldn’t be able to take care of my mother. How could I – my mother has two daughters, and a stranger would take care of her. I can’t do that.
There were more and more complaints from my mother. She scolded us for any purchases. Although we were saving on everything.
I was silent and patient for a long time. But one incident changed my attitude towards my mother forever.
I got sick. I had a terrible headache, fever, cough, and a cold.
I couldn’t sleep all night, and in the morning I decided to go to the doctor. My sister saw my condition. She got ready for school, hugged me and asked me not to delay going to the doctor. And my mother, as always. She said I didn’t need any treatment. A young body can cope with the disease on its own. But she is in a much worse situation than me. She needs more money. Now I will spend all the money on examinations and consultations with doctors, and I will have a common flu. I don’t care about my mother and I want her to die.
I listened to all this and cried quietly. Honestly, I had no more strength. For the sake of my mother, I quit my studies and work hard, although I have many other opportunities. Either I was so tired of everything, or I was tired, but I yelled at my mother. I said everything I thought about her.
The examination showed pneumonia. The doctor insisted on inpatient treatment, but this option was definitely not for me. I could not leave my sister with my mother. I wrote a refusal to be hospitalized, bought the necessary medicines and went to my friend’s house.
Monika let me in. She yelled at me for wandering around instead of staying at home under the covers. We talked for a long time. I told her about the situation with my mom and asked her to help me find a nurse. I also needed a place to live. I couldn’t live there anymore.
Monika offered me to stay with her, and in the meantime, go home and take the necessary medications.
At home, my mother was waiting for me, screaming like a madwoman as soon as I opened the door. She didn’t ask about my health, but was counting money again. I fed her, then took my medicine and went to my room to rest. I will not live here anymore.
My friend quickly fulfilled my requests. She found a nurse and let me live with her. I changed my job, and I don’t visit my mother anymore. Maybe I look like a cruel person, but I did everything for her. And I never got any thanks. So was it worth the effort? I still have everything ahead of me.
I allocate money for my mother’s needs and to pay the nurse every month. I give even more than is needed. Viktoria , the woman who sits next to my mother, says that she remembers us less and less. She doesn’t wish us happy birthday. Although my sister and I do congratulate her. But this is not the main thing. I managed to change my job, and I’m about to move out of my girlfriend’s place. My sister and I are going to rent an apartment. My sister also supports me and says: “You need to take care of your parents, but not when they are slowly eating you up.”
