When Mom became dizzy, I took her to the hospital. Doctors found that she was dehydrated and weak, and they monitored her while checking for other possible causes of her weight loss.
Thankfully, she improved with fluids and rest.
After we returned home, Mom finally let me open the brown envelope.
Inside were photographs, birthday cards, and old letters exchanged between her and Margaret. One letter, written by Mom when I was five, read:
“I don’t know what I would do without you. Laura asks for you every morning. You have given her a safe place when I couldn’t always be there.”
Margaret’s reply was even more touching:
“You are there for Laura in every way that matters. Working to keep a roof over her head doesn’t mean you’ve failed her. Please stop apologizing for letting me love her.”
I looked at Mom through tears.
