How could she come to my home and frighten my children? I shouted at her, “Get out of here!”
My mother had only one eye. I despised her. Her condition filled me with shame. To provide for our family, she worked as a cook at a school. One day, during primary school, she came to visit me. My stomach dropped. How could she do this? I was mortified. I pretended not to see her, glared at her with hatred, and stormed off. The next day, a classmate sneered, “Oi, your mums only got one eye!” I wished the ground would swallow me. I wanted her gone. That evening, I confronted her: “Wouldnt it be better if you just died so I wouldnt be humiliated?”
She said nothing. I didnt even realise the cruelty of my wordsI was too angry. I didnt care how she felt. I couldnt stand her being near me. I worked hard, left for university in London, and built my own life. I married, bought a house, and had children. Everything was perfect.
Then one day, my mother appeared at my doorstep. Years had passedshed never met her grandchildren. When my children saw her, they laughed at her. How dare she come here and scare them? I roared, “Get out!” Quietly, she replied, “Forgive me. I must have the wrong address,” and vanished.
Later, I received an invitation to a school reunion. Using a business trip as an excuse, I went. Afterward, I wandered to my childhood home out of curiosity. The neighbours told me my mother had passed. I felt nothing until they handed me her letter:
“My dearest son, Ive always thought of you. Im so sorry for frightening your children in London. When I heard you were coming for the reunion, I hoped to see youbut I was too weak. I regret the shame I caused you growing up. You see, when you were little, you lost an eye in an accident. As your mother, I couldnt bear you growing up like meso I gave you mine. Now, Im proud knowing you see the world through it. With all my love, Mum.”
Sometimes, the pride we guard so fiercely is built on sacrifices we never understood.
