Sue was given a second shot at life when Rosa, a grocery cashier, decided to adopt and nurture her after finding her as a newborn in a cardboard box at the store.
Rosa made sure Sue had all she needed as a child, but above all, that she would receive the love and attention she needed to go through life.
Sue flourished under Rosa’s care, developing into a prosperous young lady who pursued a career as a social media influencer.
candidly recounting her life’s events.
One question remained in Sue’s heart despite her accomplishments and the contentment she found in life: why had her biological mother abandoned her? Under what conditions had she been left behind?
Even though Sue became well-known and her admirers appreciated her fortitude, the effects of her mother’s absence will always be felt.
The peaceful morning was broken one day by a knock on her door. Sue’s heart skipped a beat as she opened the door and saw the woman who claimed to be her mother in the picture that had been put in her baby box all those years before. Looking at Sue with eyes full of desperation and desire, the elderly, fragile woman in front of her appeared to be carrying a lifetime of sorrow.
Her voice was hardly audible above a whisper when she added, “Hello, darling.” “As your mother, I need your assistance.”
Sue felt a tidal rush of emotions as perplexity, fury, and exhilaration swept over her. The question that had been bothering her for years was posed by her mother before she could respond: “Do you still have the note I left with you when I left you safely in the store?”
“Safely?” Sue pondered, rage rising within her. How could it ever be safe to leave an infant in a public setting? However, suppressing her emotions, she calmly said, “Yes, I kept it.” It’s the only thing I remember about you.
As she related her story, her mother said she had no option but never wanted to leave Sue. She had feared for Sue’s safety, been in difficulties, and fled from violent persons to whom she owed money. With remorse in her voice, she added, “I thought leaving you would keep you safe.”
Her mother said she was too afraid when Sue questioned why she hadn’t made an effort to locate her over the years. But Sue didn’t feel comfortable with her narrative for some reason. Nevertheless, Sue gave in and let her birth mother live with her when her adopted mother, Rosa, urged her to give her a chance.
At first, everything appeared to be going smoothly. Sue and her mother grew closer as Sue’s mother helped out around the house. They seemed to be at last catching up on lost time. However, that peace didn’t last long. When Sue arrived home early one day, she discovered her mother searching through her jewelry box and putting pricey items in her purse.
“What are you doing, Mom?” Sue inquired, her tone betraying her sense of incredulity.
Startled but unrepentant, her mother glanced up. “Honey, you have a lot of jewelry, but I need money.” I believed I could sell a portion of it.
When Sue saw her mother carrying the diamond necklace Rosa had given her at her graduation—a representation of all the sacrifices Rosa had made for her—she became even more indignant. “Are you aware of the amount of effort Rosa put into getting this for me?” Sue shouted because she couldn’t believe what was going on.
Her mother insisted, “But you have so much,” in an attempt to dismiss it. So that we have money, let me sell part of it.
When Sue realized her mother’s intentions were not as good as she had anticipated, she shook her head. “This is about you, not about us. This is your way of repaying me for opening my house to you and forgiving you for leaving me? By robbing me?
Her mother broke down in tears and begged, “Please, don’t be angry with me.” I apologize. I will change.
She wasn’t prepared to risk further heartache, though, because Sue had already offered her another opportunity. Knowing deep down that her mother’s homecoming was motivated more by self-interest than by love, she instructed her to pack up her belongings and go. She had just returned in the hopes of taking advantage of Sue’s achievement after learning about it.
The only place that had ever felt like home was Rosa’s house, where Sue ended up that evening. “You took a chance on someone you loved—that’s what matters,” Rosa reassured her. The fact that you have love in your heart is more significant than whether or not love returns the way we want it to.
Sue was aware of how fortunate she was to have Rosa as a mother who had always supported and loved her without expecting anything in return. Sue was thankful even if the encounter with her birth mother had scarred her. She came to see that Rosa, who had picked her from the start, had always been her actual family.
Sue found comfort in the knowledge that her biological mother had given her an opportunity, even if she was deeply devastated by what she had done. She realized that sometimes family is about those who choose to be there, stick with you no matter what, and love you unconditionally.