When 80-year-old Edith could no longer walk and had to use a wheelchair, her son, Henry, made a heartbreaking decision. He placed her in a nursing home. Years later, life taught him a painful lesson, and he realized he had made a terrible mistake. He decided to take his mother back home. But when he arrived at the nursing home, Edith was gone.
Henry Griffith was raised by his single mother, Edith, after his father passed away when Henry was just four years old. Edith had Henry later in life, and from the moment he was born, he became the center of her world. She worked tirelessly to provide for him, making sure he had everything he needed.
As Henry grew up, he cherished his mother just as much as she cherished him. He was always there for her, helping out however he could. Their bond was strong—until he met Courtney Jackson during his university years.
Courtney was beautiful, charming, and knew exactly how to get what she wanted. Within a month of dating, she convinced Henry to move in with her. They pooled their savings from part-time jobs and got a small condo. A few years later, they got married, and that’s when Courtney suggested something unexpected.
“Henry, why don’t we move in with your mom?” she asked sweetly one evening. “We could save money and buy a bigger house later. Besides, she’s alone… wouldn’t it be nice to take care of her?”
Henry hesitated. “I don’t know, Courtney. Mom has her own space, and I don’t want her to feel like she has to take care of us.”
“Oh, come on,” Courtney pressed. “It’ll be good for all of us. She’ll have company, and we’ll be able to help her as she gets older.”
Eventually, Henry gave in. They moved into Edith’s house, and for a while, things seemed fine. Three years later, when their son, Liam, was born, everything changed.
Courtney handed over all the household chores to Edith.
“I just had a baby, Henry!” she argued whenever he questioned her. “I don’t have time for cleaning and cooking. Your mom is here, isn’t she? She should help out!”
Edith, out of love for her son, did everything she was asked—cooking, cleaning, and taking care of baby Liam. But as time went on, she began to feel more like a servant than a family member. One day, she finally spoke up.
“Henry,” she said quietly, “I don’t mind helping, but Courtney treats me like a maid. I feel… unappreciated.”
Courtney overheard and immediately turned the conversation around. “I can’t believe this!” she cried. “After everything I’ve done for you, Edith, you think I’m mistreating you? I just had a baby, and you’re making this about yourself?”
Henry, caught between his wife and mother, sided with Courtney.
“Mom, maybe it’s just a misunderstanding,” he said. “Courtney is under a lot of stress right now.”
Edith sighed and dropped the subject, but things only got worse. Once Liam was older and no longer needed a babysitter, Courtney started hinting that Edith’s presence in the house was unnecessary.
“She doesn’t help anymore, Henry,” Courtney complained. “She’s in a wheelchair and can’t even take care of herself. The house smells bad because of her, and it’s not fair to our children.”
At first, Henry refused to consider putting his mother in a nursing home. But when Courtney became pregnant with their second child, she found the perfect opportunity to push Edith out.
One day, Courtney fell sick after lunch. It was a mild food allergy, but she used it to her advantage.
“Henry, I know you love your mother,” she said weakly, “but what if this had been worse? What if our baby had been harmed? Your mother cooked that lunch… what if she made a mistake?”
Henry frowned. “But mom hardly ever cooks anymore. Are you sure—”
“I’m sure, Henry,” Courtney interrupted. “She’s old. She doesn’t realize what she’s doing. We need to think about this seriously.”
Henry didn’t want to send his mother away, but when he thought about his children’s safety, doubt crept into his mind. That night, over dinner, he made his decision.
“Mom,” he said hesitantly, “I think it would be better for you to move to a nursing home. They’ll take great care of you.”
Edith’s eyes filled with tears. “A nursing home?” she whispered. “Henry, I don’t need extra care. I can manage here.”
“No, mom,” Henry insisted. “It’s for the best. Pack your things. I’ll take you there in the morning.”
Courtney smiled triumphantly, and Edith knew she had lost. But she was too tired to fight. She had one final request.
“Henry,” she said softly, “will you visit me? Maybe on weekends?”
“Of course, Mom,” he promised. “I’ll come often.”
But he never did.
Years passed. Henry got busy with work and raising his kids. He barely thought about Edith until his life crumbled before his eyes.
Courtney betrayed him. He found out she was having an affair with his best friend. When he confronted her, she didn’t even try to deny it.
“Oh, Henry,” she laughed. “You’re just now figuring this out? And by the way, everything’s in my name now. Get out.”
As if that weren’t enough, she turned Liam against him. One day, Henry tried to reach out to his son, but Liam looked at him coldly.
“I don’t want you around, Dad,” he said.
That’s when Henry finally understood how Edith must have felt when he abandoned her. Filled with regret, he rushed to the nursing home—only to find she wasn’t there.
“She left two years ago,” the receptionist told him. “She married our old janitor, David. He treated her like family. Unlike you.”
Henry’s heart sank. His mother had been alone, heartbroken, and abandoned by him. And yet, she had found happiness elsewhere. He had to see her.
When he arrived at her home, Edith answered the door, still in her wheelchair, but looking happier than ever.
“Henry? Oh, my boy! What are you doing here?”
Henry couldn’t meet her eyes. Tears streamed down his face. “I’m so sorry, Mom,” he choked. “I was blind. I threw you away, and now I know what it feels like to be abandoned. Please… can you forgive me?”
Edith’s eyes softened. “Oh, Henry,” she sighed. “I forgave you long ago. Come here.”
She pulled him into a hug, patting his back gently. “You made a terrible mistake. But you’ve realized it. And that’s enough for me.”
Later that day, Henry met David and thanked him for caring for Edith. Determined to never leave her again, Henry bought a house nearby so he could be close to her.
A month later, he surprised Edith and David with a dream wedding in Miami. It was there that Henry met Clara—the woman who truly loved and accepted him. Together, they built a new life, one filled with love, family, and second chances.
Lessons from this story:
- A mother’s love knows no bounds. Despite everything, Edith forgave Henry.
- Karma always comes back. Henry abandoned his mother and later lost everything.
- Don’t let others manipulate you. If Henry had trusted his own heart, he wouldn’t have made the mistake of leaving Edith.
