My kid convinced me to live in a care facility, so I sent him daily messages about how much I missed him. He ignored them until an unexpected stranger explained why and offered to take me home.

At 81, I was diagnosed with osteoporosis, which made walking difficult. My son Gavyn and his wife Nia moved me to a care facility since my disability made caregiving difficult.
“We can’t look after you all day, mom,” Gavyn remarked. We must manage jobs. Not qualified nurses.”

I wondered why he suddenly liked me, since I usually tried to stay out of their way. My walker helped me move about the house when I wanted to leave my room.
I vow I’ll remain quiet. Please don’t hospitalize me. Your father built this house for me, and I want to live here forever, I begged.

Gavyn dismissed me, saying my late husband Cedric’s mansion was “too vast for me.”
“Come on, mom,” he urged. Let Nia and I have the home! We could have a gym and separate study areas with all this space. Plenty of room to remodel.”
At that point, I knew his decision to put me in a care facility wasn’t about my care but about seizing my house. I was devastated, crying as I realized Gavyn had become self-centered.
“Where did I fail?” I questioned myself in my room that night. I thought I raised a polite guy, but I was wrong. I never expected my son to lie.
Gavyn and Nia took me to a neighboring care facility where they promised me continual attention. “Don’t worry, mom, we’ll come by as often as possible,” Gavyn said.
After hearing this, I considered going to a care facility because they’d visit me anyhow. Unbeknownst to me, Gavyn was lying to calm his conscience.
Every day in the care center seemed long. Despite the courteous staff and kind people, I wanted to be with family, not strangers.
Without a phone or tablet, I emailed Gavyn everyday to inquire if he could visit or about their well-being. I never heard back or was visited.
After two years at the care facility, I stopped expecting visitors. “Please, bring me home,” I prayed at night, but after two years, I attempted to let go.
However, a nurse surprised me by telling me a forty-year-old guy was at reception asking for me. Has my son finally visited? I shouted, snatching my walker and running forward.
I came with a big smile, anticipating Gavyn, but it was a guy I hadn’t seen in years. He called me “Mom!” and hugged me.
“Lorin? Are you Lorin? I requested.
Mom, it’s me. How are you? Sorry it took so long to discover you. I came straight from Europe to your house, he added.
“My home? Were Gavyn and Nia there? I admitted that they put me in this care home two years ago and haven’t heard from them since.
Lorin seemed sad and urged me to sit. We sat across from each other on a couch, and he told me about the last two years at the care facility.
Mom, I’m sorry you had to learn this from me. I thought you knew, he said. “Gavyn and Nia died in a house fire last year… I only noticed this when I visited your empty house. He said that he discovered all your unread letters in the mailbox.
I couldn’t understand Lorin’s words. Even though I hated my son for his conduct, his death broke my heart. I cried all day for him and my daughter-in-law Nia.
Lorin comforted me quietly as I cried till I could talk.
Lorin was a guy I hosted. He and Gavyn were inseparable as children.
After his parents died, Lorin was raised by his grandmother in poverty, unlike Gavyn, who had everything. I fed, dressed, and housed him like my kid until he went to college in Europe.
Lorin never returned to the US after landing a high-paying job in Europe, and we lost touch. I never thought I’d see him again until he arrived to the care facility.
“Mom,” he said once I calmed down. “You shouldn’t be in this care facility. Will you let me take you home? He said he’d be honored to care for you.
No more holding back tears. Despite not being related, this guy took me in when my son kicked me out. “Would you really help me?”
“Yes, mom. No question needed. You made me who I am today. Lorin hugged me, saying, “I’m nothing without you.”
Lorin helped Hazel pack and took her to his new house that evening. Hazel found his big family welcomed her warmly. Her latter years were filled with pleasure and love from those who loved her.