A Stolen Relationship

My mother and I were always closely connected in many ways. After having three sons consecutively, I came along, presenting myself as Mom's first daughter. She eventually gave birth to three more daughters and two more sons; nine of us altogether. As I grew older,
Mom used to talk to me all the time. She told me her troubles, her joys, sorrows, her concerns for her family.

I was still really young when Mom first started to pour her heart out to me . I rarely answered her, and I'm sure now she either did not expect me to, or she just needed me to listen to her. I imagine this is one of the reasons why I believe I am such a good listener, even now. Sometimes Mom would start to tell me something, and then she would burst into tears. During those sad times,I would find myself crying, too. I'm sure Mom was heavily burdened then.

All of my grown-up years, and even when I married and had children of my own, Mom and I were still firmly connected in our spirits. When I would be thinking hard about her, she mostly would call me, or I would call her. We stayed close like that until she suffered a major stroke.

Things changed rapidly with our relationship then. Mom sometimes seemed to despise me. She never appeared happy or satisfied with anything I said or did for her. I was so hurt at first. I then came to realize that the illness was at fault, and that this was how things were to be. The illness truly had stolen our precious relationship. Just before Mom passed away, she still seemed bitter towards me, and I was so hurt. Time and prayer have dissolved those hurts and disappointments. Great love has replaced all ill-will. Mom was not responsible; the illness tried to win. In the end, it did not suceed. Love prevailed! I love you, Mom!