After my father passed away, I found myself overwhelmed and unable to provide the care my mother deserved. With a heavy heart, I made the decision to move her into a nursing facility, a place where I believed she would receive the daily support she needed.

At first, it seemed like a practical solution, but it quickly became apparent that my mother was not happy. I promised myself I would visit her more often, yet as life grew busier, those visits became less frequent than I had intended.

Everything changed the day I received a call informing me that my mother’s health had drastically deteriorated. I rushed to the nursing home, where I found her lying motionless in her bed. The sight of her in that state shook me to my core.

When I asked if there was anything I could do for her, she looked me in the eyes with a mix of sadness and determination. She had a few requests she wanted me to fulfill, and I immediately assured her that I would do everything in my power to grant her last desires.

Among her requests were new fans and a refrigerator. She explained that the old fans didn’t provide enough ventilation, causing her discomfort and many sleepless nights. The refrigerator was also a problem; it was often filled with expired items, limiting her access to fresh food.

I was taken aback by these revelations. The reality of my mother’s living conditions hit me hard. I hadn’t anticipated that her life in the nursing home would be so challenging, nor that she felt so close to the end.

With a heavy heart, she then told me something that I will never forget. She said, “When your children no longer want you around, make sure they provide you with better circumstances than you did for me because what you give is what you get.”

Her words shattered me. I realized then that I had failed her by not ensuring her comfort and happiness in her final years. I had assumed that the nursing home was enough, but I hadn’t considered her quality of life there.

This painful lesson taught me about the depth of a mother’s love and the responsibilities we carry as children to make sure our elderly parents can enjoy their golden years in peace and comfort.

I’m sharing this story as a reminder to myself and others about the importance of caring for those who once cared for us. Let’s not forget the unconditional love our parents gave us and strive to return it in their time of need.