David wanted to take his mother back to the care home. He glanced into the box before leaving.
After her husband passed, Olive sold her countryside cottage, invested in a flat for her son and his family, and moved in with them. As long as she had strength, she took care of the house and her grandchildren.
David and his wife worked, while Olive picked the children up from nursery, then later from school and clubs. She cooked and cleaned. The chores never weighed her downif anything, they made her happy. After all, her family needed her. But the years passed. The grandchildren grew up and “flew the nest,” and the old womans health declined. She tried washing dishes, but the plates slipped from her weakened grip and shattered.
She poured herself some soup but couldnt carry it to the tableit spilled. She woke at night for a glass of water, her murmurs disturbing her daughter-in-law. No one wanted to talk to her. Who would bother chatting with an old woman? Her daughter-in-law scolded her constantly, calling her a burden. What fault was it of hers? Old age is no joy. Olive had no choice but to endure.
David decided to place his mother in a care home.
“At least shell have someone to talk to,” he told himself, easing his conscience. That morning, as he got into the car, Olive remembered her box.
“Son, fetch my box. Ive forgotten it,” she asked timidly.
“What box?” David replied.
“My treasures,” Olive answered, describing it. David brought it to her. The old woman clutched it to her chest with a contented smile.
“Mum, whats in there?”
She opened the box. Inside was a lock of his baby hair and a milk tooth. David stepped away from the car and sat on the pavement. He stayed there a long while, remembering his childhoodhow his mother had always been there for him, caring for him, protecting him. She had never left him to struggle alone.
“Son, are we going?” His mother stepped out of the car and walked towards him.
“Were not going anywhere, Mum. Youre staying home.”
In that moment, he realized love isnt measured by convenience but by the willingness to care, just as she had done for him all those years.
