A teenage boy often avoided his mother because of her advanced age. One day, overwhelmed by frustration, he asked her why she had given birth to him. Following a heated argument, he ended up hospitalized, only to find out something life-changing: she was not his biological mother.
On a typical Saturday, thirteen-year-old Tim was spending time with his friends at a local café, where they usually gathered on weekends before returning to school.
That day, Tim’s mother, Gloria, tried to change their routine. She invited him to watch a new superhero movie together. Although Gloria didn’t enjoy such films, she knew how much Tim liked them and wanted to share some quality time.
Despite Gloria’s calls on his cell phone, Tim didn’t respond. Since she knew he was at the café, she decided to go there herself.
Upon finding Tim, his friends started teasing, “Your grandma came to pick you up, Tim!”
Angered, Tim snapped at her, “What are you doing here? You’re embarrassing me!” Gloria gently tried to take his hand, asking if he would like to watch the movie together, expressing her desire to spend more moments with him.
Tim pulled his hand away, refusing to leave with her. “Leave me alone, I’m with my friends. Go before others see us!” he retorted.
Feeling sorrowful, Gloria returned home and prepared Tim’s favorite dish: spaghetti with meatballs.
Tim arrived home at half-past ten, heading straight to his room. Gloria knocked on his door and said, “I made your favorite meal. Would you like some?”
Tim glared back, “No. If I wanted, I’d come to the kitchen myself.”
Gloria asked softly, “What’s wrong, Tim? Why don’t you want to be with me anymore?”
“Leave me alone!” he demanded. “You won’t like what I’m going to say.”
“I care about you, Tim. I don’t understand what’s going on in your life lately,” she responded, moving closer.
Tim shouted, “You’re just an old, boring woman! Everyone thinks you’re my grandma! Why did you even give birth to me?!”
Feeling a sharp pain in her chest, Gloria was silenced before Tim grabbed his bag and ran out quickly.
“Tim!” she called, attempting to catch up. He rode off on his bicycle, and Gloria collapsed near a neighbor’s house.
Later, when Tim returned, he found the neighbor waiting at the door. “Your mother didn’t want you to know, but you deserve to learn the truth, especially after all that’s happened,” she told him plainly.
Tim replied bitterly, “Why should I care? Did your old lady tell you to wait for me?”
“You’re so ungrateful! You gave your mother a heart attack!” she exclaimed, grabbing his collar.
“I never asked her to have me! Why would she want a child if she didn’t like me the way I am?” Tim retorted.
The neighbor sighed bitterly. “Give me a moment; I’ll show you the truth.”
She led him inside and handed him an envelope. “Your mother hoped you’d never see this, but you have to know the whole story.”
Reading the documents, Tim discovered adoption papers and a medical diagnosis of a heart condition. Gloria had mortgaged her home to afford his surgery and cared for him until he fully recovered.
Key Realization: Gloria sacrificed everything, including her home and health, to provide love and care for Tim.
“Now, do you feel any gratitude toward the woman who did everything for you?” asked the neighbor.
Overcome with emotion, Tim began to weep, regretful for his previous harsh attitude.
Taking his bicycle, Tim hurried to the hospital’s intensive care unit. Seeing his mother hooked up to medical equipment, he grasped her hand tightly.
“I’m sorry, Mom. I was awful. Please get better. I promise we’ll spend lots more time together,” he whispered.
Two months passed before Gloria fully recovered. She embraced a healthier lifestyle, with Tim joining her in exercise and preparing nutritious meals daily.
This heartfelt story reminds us that love and devotion often come from places deeper than biology. Understanding and appreciation can blossom even after misunderstandings and pain.