When my mother found out I was married, had a good job, and had my own flat in London, she wasted no time in coming to ask for financial support.
Mum was always extremely strict with me. My dad often travelled for work, so Mum raised me on her own. Dad loved me very much, and every time he returned from his business trips it meant heaps of presents for me. Mum, on the other hand, was never very affectionate. I still remember the day Dad left for a trip and never came back.
At school, I never really had close friends. I would turn up wearing an old school uniform Mum had found at a charity shop, looking rather shabby. Shed always tell me, Wear what youve got. I need to get my life in order and I simply cant afford anything for you. So I wore that dreadful uniform all through Year 6, without fuss.
Later, a neighbour kindly gave me her daughters uniform after she finished school, and I wore it right until I graduated. As for shoes, I made do with whatever I had, and they lasted me years until my feet eventually outgrew them. Despite these challenges, I finished secondary school with excellent results and decided to study economics at university. On campus, I still wore the cast-offs friends gave me when they got bored with their clothes.
One day I met Daniel, who had graduated a couple of years before me. We began dating, and eventually he introduced me to his parents. When I went to visit, I remember feeling self-conscious about my battered old shoes. My feet were soaked, but his mum pretended not to notice. The next day, she invited me over and gave me a brand new pair of shoes as a present.
Id been anxious his parents wouldnt like me, but soon enough they treated me as though I were family. I truly cant imagine what I did to deserve such kindness. They even gave Daniel and me a house as a wedding gift, and when I graduated, my mother-in-law offered me a brilliant position at her company. The salary was generous, and for the first time, I could afford whatever I needed. I will never stop thanking God for helping me get through so much and come out the other side.
When Mum found out about all thismy marriage, my good job, my own homeshe showed up asking for money. However, my stepmother happened to overhear our conversation. She called for my husband and son to come straight home. In the end, Daniel firmly told my mother she shouldnt expect anything more from me. He made it clear he was grateful for having a daughter, but that she was not to come to our home again. Since then, Ive not heard anything from Mum. Now Im simply looking forward, with hope and relief, to the birth of my child.
