As parents grow older, they become more and more dependent on their children.
Peter grew up in a small town with his parents Julia and Stephen. Their life was modest and John remembered the desire to take a day off and start something wonderful in his life. When the time came, he packed his bags and stopped thinking about it except for birthdays and important occasions like Christmas. He was devoted to his parents and often sent them money even when they weren’t expecting it.
Then his dad died.
Stephen and Julia had a humble upbringing.
The healthy lifestyle that we often see on social networks did not arouse their curiosity. Peter’s father, Stephen, died of heart disease. Julia was not ready to live without him, so his death was a devastating blow. Peter had to miss work to attend the funeral. After spending a few days with her, he realized that his mother could not stay home alone. He therefore agreed with his superior to work remotely and extended his stay.
Peter was always a devoted son and understood that it was his duty to take care of his mother when his father was away.
Although she was still in pretty good shape, John understood that as she got older she would need more help and care. She was in her early seventies. Then, while he was shopping, she collapsed and her condition worsened. Her fragile bones broke easily after the fall and she needed more help than John could provide.
She kept getting worse.
She wasn’t very good at remembering her medication, although her leg started to heal and she could move a little more.
Peter realized that he needed help. His supervisor expressed dissatisfaction with his constant distractions at work and fears that he might lose his job.
Peter decided to send his mother to a nursing home after giving it some thought. Even though he realized it wasn’t what she wanted, he still thought it was best for her. Peter was sure that his mother would receive the necessary care and help in a well-maintained and hygienic nursing home.
Mary was not happy with Peter when he told her the news. She sobbed uncontrollably and said she could not bear to lose her children and her husband.
Trying to reassure her that she wasn’t losing him, John grinned and hugged her. He informed her that he had decided to live near a wonderful nursing facility so that he could visit it as much as possible. While Mary accepted, she was not happy with his choice.
She started to feel comfortable.
Julia was hesitant at first but soon adjusted to her new life in an assisted living facility.
She enjoyed participating in the many activities and events the facility offered and making new friends. John tried to see her as much as he could and was relieved to find that she was happy and receiving good care. The nurses sent him emails about her health and various activities.
They told her by phone that she had created a committee to represent the residents of the home for the elderly. They requested special guest speakers and strange equipment upgrades. Peter chuckled to himself as he remembered his fiery upbringing.
He always believed she would make an excellent president.
They instructed him to bid them farewell.
Julia had been ill for a long time. She had been living in a care facility for the past few years and John visited her every week. Although he was aware that her time was limited, he was not prepared for the phone call from the assisted living facility requesting his presence for the farewell. With a heavy heart full of sadness, he rushed to the nursing home. When he got there, he discovered his mother in bed with several nurses surrounding her. She was breathing heavily and was unconscious.
The nurses informed Peter that they didn’t think his mother would live much longer as things had gotten worse. Even though Petr was inconsolable, he knew that he had to keep calm for his mother’s sake. Holding her hand and expressing his love for her, he sat by her bed.
He told her how much he appreciated everything she had done for him and all the fun times they had had together over the years.
The nursing home staff were very compassionate and friendly. They were a wonderful source of support for Peter as well, doing everything they could to make John’s mother comfortable in her final days. Especially at this, her worst moment.
As the hours passed, John’s mother’s breathing became progressively shallower.
Peter knew it was almost over. He gripped his mother’s hand tightly and tried to convince her to hold on a little longer. At this moment, she said what provoked her the most. Rather than give her son some parting advice before she died, she decided to be specific and discuss her will.
A shift in strategy
Trying to steer the conversation away from his mother’s serious conversation, Peter tried to change the subject. Julia persisted, convincing him that it was still necessary.
Peter was sorry to see her like this, but he nodded and allowed her to continue, even though she was having trouble expressing herself. He understood how important it was to her.
Julia took a deep breath as Peter sank back into his chair. Her strength was almost gone. After clearing her throat, she began to talk about her stay at this nursing home. She talked about how hard life is here, but also about how nice the nurses are. This was the result of often non-standard equipment.
Therefore, he believed that if she managed to renovate the nursing home, it would be a worthy parting gift to this world.
This surprised Peter. Why, he wondered, had she remained silent during her stay here? In response, Julia said that she thought she was a nuisance. She didn’t want to bother her anymore because he had already sent her there.
She continued to show her interest in him. When he asked why, she replied that there was a good chance his children would put him in the same nursing home when he was older. The thought of him going through the same ordeal was unbearable. So that was her last act of love for her son. She loved him so deeply that she didn’t care if he was moved to a nursing home.Â
In the last moments of his mother’s life, Peter was amazed by the depth of her love and concern for him. Julia’s last wish was not for herself but for the future well-being of her son and others who might follow in her footsteps. Her desire to renovate the nursing home not only as a parting gift but also as a symbol of care and compassion, left Peter speechless. Despite her hardships, Julia was selflessly forward-thinking and wanted to ensure that the facility was improved for future generations, especially for Peter, in case he ever found himself in a similar situation.
This act of love was a testament to her character – a woman who, even when she was at her weakest, remained strong in caring for others. Petr realized at that moment that his mother had never stopped thinking about him, even though she seemed resigned to her fate in the nursing home. Her wish was the ultimate expression of her abiding love, her quiet strength, and her desire to protect him from future hardships even when he was no longer around.
Peter felt a deep sense of gratitude as he sat down next to her. His mother gave him a gift far greater than any material inheritance—she taught him the true meaning of selflessness and love. In her final moments, Julia showed him that love transcends circumstances, even when life takes an unexpected turn. Peter vowed to fulfill her wish, not only for her legacy but also for the future of others who would follow the same path. And as he watched her take her last breath, he knew that her love would continue to guide him even in her absence.