An elderly woman was visiting the hospital with her son. Her husband had died many years and his son and daughter-in-law are her families. But she recently got a diagnosis and when the doctor told them about that, her son reacted in an unpleasant way. She had Alzheimer's disease and needed special care. Neither the woman was happy with the news. But her son's behavior made her more shocked. He asked the doctor what it meant and what he was supposed to do. He was been mad and asked again if he needed to look after her round the clock. The doctor replied that it was what he recommended. He became irritated and told him that he could not do it. Then the doctor gave him another option that there were many specialized facilities for people like her. And that's what he chose.
When they returned home, the woman's daughter-in-law was anxiously waiting for them. He asked them what the doctor said. He told her everything and said that it was not possible for him to look after her round clock. She was sad hearing the news but he was angry. So she asked him the reason and also told him that she was his mother. He replied that he didn't want to be a caretaker for the elderly no matter if it was for his own mother. The young woman was an orphan and couldn't understand how her husband could treat his own mother like that. However, she asked him if he had any other options. He replied that he was going to send her to a nursing home. His wife got angry and told him that he could not do that.
She talked him into letting his mom stay there. But as time went by he became more and more irritated with his mom. One day they were having dinner and his mom fell down food on the table. He immediately got angry and said to her, "You're a clumsy old bat! Are you blind?!" His mom was feeling guilty and could hardly hold back her tears.
The other day, her son was working online and she was looking for her glass. So, she went to him and asked if he had seen them. She added that she had forgotten where she had put them. And that time the old woman got a cold behavior from her son. He suggested her to write those things down and not to make him angry. Only her daughter-in-law always consoled her and was on her side. She told her not to get upset and assured her that he would mellow with time. It made the woman hopeful and smiled.
A few months passed after the woman had gotten diagnosed. One day at dinner she told her family something important. She told them that her whole life she had been saving up money to make her dream come true. She announced that she wanted to go on a journey. He got much irritated and asked what kind of journey and if she was kidding him. After the diner, she showed them her saved up money and asked them if they would like to join her. Her son took the money and only at that time he was not cold.
At night he told his wife that he had an idea. She asked him about it and he suggested to her that they should just take the money and leave. He added that they could buy a big house and live happily. She got angry and asked if he had lost his mind. She clearly told him that they could not do that. She reminded him that she was his mother.
But he was gone by the morning and so was the money. The old woman cried and said that she could not believe her own son had done that to her. His daughter-in-law forbade her to cry and consoled her. She assured her that she wouldn't leave her. She for the first time in her life had found her family in that house and she could not and didn't want to leave that poor woman alone.
She also saved up some money on her own. She gave it to her mother-in-law and said that it was not much but it was enough to visit a few countries. She then suggested her go around the world. The woman became so happy. While her own son abandoned her in her final years, her daughter-in-law made her dream come true. Together they had visited the most exciting places, taken photographs, and felt incredible, unforgettable emotions.
They returned home after a six-month journey. And soon the old woman's son showed up at their doorstep. He was wearing torn clothes and looked like a hobo. His wife asked him what he was doing there. He replied that he wanted her to take back him. It tuned out that he had spent all the money and had nowhere to live. The old woman also came there. When he saw her, he said, "Mom, I'm your son!" But the old woman replied strongly that she had lost her son and now she had only a daughter. She told him to go away and closed the door.
The young woman looked after her mother-in-law throughout her final years. When she was passing her final days she thanked her for everything. The young woman said that no one had ever been so close to her. She replied that she felt the same way.
And that was her success. But she could don't forget her mom-in-law even after her death. She left the house to the young lady. She departed feeling content and grateful to her for making her dream come true.
Sometimes life rewards us with those who become our closest people, and it has nothing to do with blood ties.
Totally agreed with the title. And going throughout the story, I feel sad for the woman. That type of son should die. How disgraceful! Good writing.