Margaret Thompson stood at her kitchen sink, stirring the soup thoughtfully. A single thought kept looping in her mind: Sometimes I just want to sit back and do nothing at all.
Her daughter Emily came to stay every weekend, and while Margaret bustled about the kitchen for the whole family, Emily always seemed to find a way to relax.
The day before Emilys weekend visit, Margaret gave the flat an extradeep clean, anticipating guests. Her husband David, who often got home late from the factory, was also exhausted, so all the household chores fell on her.
When she felt lonely, Margaret would call Emily during the week just to hear her daughters voice, or to ask for advice. It pained her that Emily was always so busy.
Emilys job was demanding, and she had become rather shorttempered, often asking Margaret not to call while she was at work.
Mum, why are you calling again? We dont normally answer personal calls at work. If its urgent, send a text I asked you not to ring!
But writing a message didnt bring Margaret the comfort she craved; she simply wanted to hear the sound of her daughters voice.
One afternoon Margaret realized she never seemed to get a weekend where she could do absolutely nothing. She longed to be distracted from the endless chores. David helped, and they tackled many tasks together, yet she still wished someone else would make her lunch for a change. Even though she was officially retired and on a welldeserved holiday, the house never seemed to quiet down.
We should pay a visit, Margaret thought, and after consulting David, they decided to drop by Emilys for the holidays.
Emily was pleased at first. But when Margaret and David arrived, the usual routine turned upside down. Instead of pitching in, Margaret spent the first hour chatting with the grandchildren about everything under the sun, and then settled down to watch a TV concert.
Emily had been looking forward to the traditional feasther mothers pies, salads, and all the familiar dishes. Instead, Margaret and David announced, Were so tired, its wonderful we could come over.
Caught off guard, Emilys face fell; she felt let down, as if her mother had abandoned the celebration. Margarets eyes dimmed as she saw the disappointment.
And then the day finally gave her a chance to rest at her daughters house.
Margaret, who had always been the one to worry about her relatives, suddenly felt a tug at her heart. She wasnt the type to idle; shed been raised in a time when if something needed doing, it got done. She let out a deep sigh.
Emily worked long hours, her husband Victor was busy too, and David, despite his age, was still active. Margaret smiled at everyone and went back to the kitchen to start the festive lunch.
Emily followed, intending to tell her mother how the sudden change had unsettled her. She opened the kitchen door and saw her mother from a new angleno longer the evercheerful, readytohelp figure, but a quiet, tired woman without her customary smile. The expression on Margarets face was solemn; she hadnt realized she was being watched.
The realization hit Emily hard. She felt a pang in her chest, thinking her mother was still as spry as ever, only to see the strain. She walked over, embraced her, and said, Mum, I was trying a new recipe and got a bit flustered, hoping youd help. If you dont want to, thats finemaybe itll be a surprise for everyone, even you. I also bought you some luxury skincarecreams for your face, hands, and more. Well chat more at the table, and you can watch the concert later.
Emily handed Margaret the lavish cosmetics shed bought for herself, and a sudden childlike fear rose in her: time was passing, her mother was aging, and they barely talked. What if Margaret werent there one day? How would she cope?
Memories of childhood, teenage years, and the early days of marriage flooded backhow Margaret had always found time for her, making Emilys problems her top priority, even answering the phone at night when Emily called, despite having to work early the next morning.
Hearing Emilys heartfelt words, Margarets eyes softened, and all the old grievances melted away, giving her a burst of renewed energy.
Now, when they meet, Emily no longer piles chores on Margaret; they share the tasks and talk openly about everything.
Emily even calls her mother during her lunch break, simply to hear her voice. She always makes time for Margaret, caring for her, and silently hopes there will never come a day when Margaret wants to call and finds no one left to answer.
In the end, Margaret learned that caring for others doesnt mean neglecting yourself, and that the true rest we all need comes from sharing love, laughter, and a simple conversation with those who matter most.
