Imagine this: you receive a call one day revealing that your sick mother wants to see you. You realize that you haven’t been there for her as often as you should. This was the situation faced by a man who later chose to share his powerful story with the world as a cautionary tale.
His mother was living in a nursing home when he realized the terrible condition she was in. Her dying wish was for her son to improve the situation there. This heartfelt request urged the son to take action and make things right.
In his own words, he admits that he had made a self-centered decision to place his mother in a nursing home after his father’s passing. He now realizes that he hadn’t considered her needs or comfort for a moment, and deeply regrets his actions.
When he rushed to the nursing home upon learning of his mother’s worsening health, little did he know it would be a farewell he would never forget. As he asked her how he could help her feel even a little better, he witnessed her fading gaze and felt a tear welling up inside him.
His mother shared with him the heartbreaking truth behind her desire to transform the nursing home. She had experienced times when she went hungry due to malfunctioning refrigerators, struggled to breathe in the oppressive heat without working fans, and suffered sleepless nights due to uncomfortable beds. Hearing these words shook him to the core, as he wondered why she had only revealed this now instead of when he could have made a difference.
Her response was a life-changing awakening. She passionately implored him to consider what he would leave behind and expressed her fear that his own children might one day abandon him to a similar fate. In those final moments, she uttered words that would stay with him forever: “What you give is what you get.”
This emotional journey serves as a reminder for all of us to reflect on how we care for our elderly loved ones. Let us know in the comments if you have any elderly family members and how you ensure they receive the love and support they deserve.
