Mother was always quite strict with me, especially during my childhood. Father was often away on business trips, leaving Mother to care for me alone. He adored me, and whenever he returned home it meant a heap of gifts for me. Mother, however, seldom showed much affection. One day, Father left for another trip and, sadly, never returned.
I never really had any friends at school. I wore clothes that looked almost like a beggarsa worn-out uniform Mother had found discarded on the street. She constantly reminded me, Wear what you have. I need to sort my life out, and I can’t spare any money for you right now. So patiently, I wore those dreadful clothes throughout Year Five.
Some time later, our neighbour gifted me her daughters old school uniform after shed finished her final classes. That uniform saw me through until I graduated. As for shoes, I made do with whatever I happened to find, and wore them until they were too small for me. Despite everything, I completed secondary school with honours and decided to pursue higher education. I chose economics as my field. On campus, I continued to wear hand-me-downs from friends who no longer wanted their old clothes.
One day, I met Dominic, a graduate from a couple years before. We started seeing each other, and eventually, he introduced me to his parents. On my first visit, I felt deeply embarrassed by my battered, worn shoesmy feet were damp, though Dominics mother pretended not to notice. The next day, she invited me over again and presented me with new shoes as a gift.
I worried Dominics parents wouldnt approve of me, but very soon they welcomed me and treated me as one of their own. I can’t imagine what I did to deserve such kindness. They gifted us a house as a wedding present and, after I graduated, my mother-in-law offered me a position at her company, where I earned a respectable wage. At long last, I was able to afford what I needed. I will forever thank God for seeing me safely through life.
When my own mother learned of my marriage, my good job, and that I had my own flat, she swiftly contacted me to ask for financial support. Our conversation, though, was overheard by my stepmother. She summoned both my husband and son to return home at once. Finally, my husband explained to my mother that she should not expect anything further from me. He thanked her for having a daughter, but firmly requested she never again step foot in our home. Since then, my mother has not reached out, and now I look forward to the birth of my child with great anticipation.
