It had been years since I last visited my mother, completely consumed by my own life. However, on a fateful day, I found myself needing to retrieve some documents from her residence. I made the journey to her place, only to be met with a heartbreaking sight—her home lay in ruins, abandoned and forgotten.

Mom, Sarah, single-handedly raised me after my father left our family. She put in tremendous effort to provide for me and cover the costs of my education. After I finished high school, I made the bold decision to enroll in a university located thousands of miles away.

It was a bittersweet moment as she bid me farewell, sending me off to study and live in New York while she stayed behind in California. We stayed in touch during my initial years there, and I would reach out to her whenever I found a spare moment.

Throughout my years in college, mom never had the chance to visit me in New York. We primarily communicated through phone calls, which gradually decreased over time. However, she still valued them greatly.

As I was nearing the end of my university journey, I decided to give her a call and extend an invitation. “Hey, mom!” I said during our conversation.

“Hey, Alex, it’s wonderful to hear from you! How’s it going?” she exclaimed with enthusiasm.

“I’m doing well, mom! I’m thrilled to share that I’ll be graduating in just two short weeks. Can you come over?” I inquired.

I could feel the pride emanating from her as she warmly congratulated me. She would go to great lengths to witness her beloved son proudly walk across the stage to receive his diploma. “Sure thing, Alex. I’ll be there. I absolutely won’t miss it! I’m really proud of you!” she exclaimed during the call.

Once the call was over, Sarah wasted no time searching for flights to New York. She was taken aback by the exorbitant prices and quickly realized she didn’t have sufficient funds to buy both a round-trip ticket and a special graduation gift for me.

She decided to take on additional work as a babysitter, putting in extra hours to earn some extra cash. After diligently saving up, she couldn’t contain her excitement as she bought her ticket and headed to a department store to pick out a special gift for me.

After spending some time browsing, Sarah finally settled on a watch. She realized that every professional should own a stylish and sophisticated timepiece, and she wanted to gift one to me. With unwavering belief in my abilities, she eagerly bought me the watch to celebrate my upcoming graduation and the promising future that awaited me.

“Could you please wrap it nicely with a ribbon?” she politely requested the saleslady. “This is a graduation gift for my son. He’s graduating from a top university in New York!” she exclaimed with excitement.

“That’s wonderful! You must be bursting with pride. Congratulations!” the saleswoman cheerfully packed the watch.

After a few days, Sarah eagerly headed to New York. As I awaited her arrival, I rushed to the airport to greet her. We embarked on a journey to my campus, where the anticipation for the upcoming graduation ceremony filled the air.

Sarah eagerly reached for her cell phone and began capturing moments with her camera. As I walked up to receive my diploma, she couldn’t contain her excitement and erupted into thunderous applause.

“That’s my son!” she exclaimed.

After the ceremony, I met Sarah and gave her a warm embrace. “Oh, son, congratulations!” she exclaimed with joy as we shared a warm embrace.

“Thank you, mom. I smiled, grateful for everything you’ve done. How about we grab a delicious dinner?” I suggested, strolling alongside her as we made our way towards the university exit.

That evening, Sarah and I indulged in a sumptuous dinner at a high-end steakhouse in New York. I eased her initial concerns about the cost. “I’ve been juggling a part-time job while keeping up with my studies, mom. I’ll cover the bill tonight,” I expressed, gently squeezing her hand as a small token of appreciation for all she had done for me.

Mom was overcome with emotion. She expressed her gratitude for my upbringing, appreciating the fact that I had grown into a compassionate and considerate individual. “I’m really proud of you, son,” she said with genuine admiration. “I also have a little something for you. It may not be anything extraordinary, but I hope you enjoy it.”

With a smile on her face, she presented me with the gift box. “You really didn’t have to get me anything, mom,” I exclaimed as I eagerly unwrapped the gift.

It was truly heartwarming when Sarah shared that she purchased the watch specifically for me to wear at work. “Mom, this is absolutely stunning. Thank you,” I exclaimed, a wide grin spreading across my face. “I’m absolutely loving this watch and can’t wait to wear it at the office every single day! That way, I’ll always have you by my side.”

Mom and I had a fantastic time chatting, capturing memories with our cameras, and immersing ourselves in the breathtaking sights of New York.

After spending a few more days in the vibrant city of New York, mom had to catch a flight back to California. “Will you be going back to your hometown soon, Alex?” she inquired.

“I’ll give it a shot, mom. With a few job interviews on the horizon, it’s uncertain when I’ll find the time. But I assured her that I would definitely call.”

Regrettably, that promise didn’t last long. Over time, my contact with Sarah gradually dwindled as I became consumed with my demanding career on Wall Street and the demands of my relationship with my model girlfriend. Eventually, the calls stopped altogether.

During a recent discussion, mom expressed her feelings of sadness and isolation. “I’ve been losing weight and I don’t have much of an appetite, Alex,” she confided in me.

“Mom, it’s important to nourish yourself. Have you considered engaging in conversations with your neighbors or taking leisurely strolls in the park?” I responded.

I didn’t fully understand the extent of her emotions at that time. Mom was feeling down because she was experiencing a sense of isolation.

It was as if the stars aligned when I made the decision to start my own business in New York. In order to obtain the necessary documents from California, I couldn’t simply ask Sarah to send them over. So, spontaneously, I decided to fly back home and make my way to our house without informing her. Upon arrival, I was taken aback by what lay before me.

The house had deteriorated significantly, with crumbling walls and cobwebs covering every corner. The fences were in a sorry state, collapsed, and the lawn was a wild tangle of overgrown vegetation, as if it had been neglected for ages. As I gazed into the room, all I could see was a void, with only a few remnants of furniture strewn about in disarray.

I tried reaching out to Sarah, but she didn’t pick up. Determined to find out what was going on, I decided to pay a visit to our friendly next-door neighbor and inquire about the situation.

“Hello, Mr. Brown.”

“Hey, Alex? Is that you?” he inquired. “What brings you here?”

“Excuse me, Mr. Brown, do you happen to know where Sarah is? What happened to our house?” I inquired, overwhelmed by a mix of remorse and fear.

“Oh, well, do you recall that storm that struck California a few months ago? Our homes took a beating. Your mom couldn’t afford to repair it, so she decided to move to a nursing home to avoid burdening you,” Mr. Brown explained.

“Huh? Why am I so clueless about all of this?” I exclaimed, taken aback. “Where can I find her nursing home?” I inquired.

Once I had the address, I wasted no time making my way there. As I walked in, my heart sank at the sight of Sarah, looking so fragile and confined to a wheelchair. “Mom,” I sobbed, making my way towards her.

“Hey, Alex. What brings you here?” Sarah asked.

“Mom, I’m so sorry for not giving you the attention you deserved. I’m really sorry for not being present during your time of greatest need,” I admitted, my cheeks wet with tears as I humbly kneeled before her wheelchair.

“Alex, come on, enough of this,” she urged, extending her hand to help me up. I shook my head and held onto her knees tightly, and she couldn’t help but shed tears. She never expected to see me again, but there I was, standing before her, seeking forgiveness. The sight of me stirred a mix of emotions within her—a combination of being deeply moved and finding a sense of relief.

“I apologize, mom. You don’t have to be alone anymore,” I said, shaking my head. I made a heartfelt promise to live with her and provide the care she needed.

I finally followed through on my commitment this time.

After completing the renovations on our old home, I was thrilled to finally bring Sarah out of the nursing home. After careful consideration, I decided to establish my business in California rather than New York. Additionally, I extended an invitation to my girlfriend to join us in our new venture.

Ever since that time, the three of us have been living together in perfect harmony.

I cannot stress enough how crucial it is to maintain connections with our loved ones, no matter how busy or far apart we may be. Throughout the years, I failed to appreciate my mother’s presence, only to realize that I had been overlooking the invaluable love and support she had always given me.

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