MOTHER SICK

Lina stood at the edge of her mother’s bed, her heart aching as she watched the woman who had once been so strong, now lying weakly under the covers. The soft glow of the afternoon sun filtered through the curtains, casting gentle patterns on the walls. The room was filled with the faint scent of flowers, and the steady beeping of medical equipment echoed softly.

Lina’s mother, Sofia, had always been a force of nature. She was the one who held the family together, like the roots of an ancient tree. Her laugh could light up a room, and her words of wisdom were like guiding stars in the night sky. But now, Sofia was ill, and her strength was fading. Lina had never seen her mother like this, so fragile, so vulnerable. It broke her heart.

“Mom,” Lina whispered, sitting down on the edge of the bed and taking her mother’s hand. Sofia’s fingers, once warm and firm, felt cold and frail. “How are you feeling today?”

Sofia opened her eyes and smiled weakly. “Oh, my sweet Lina, I’m alright,” she said, her voice barely a whisper. “Don’t worry about me. I’ve had a good life. I’m just tired now.”

Tears welled up in Lina’s eyes, but she blinked them away. She didn’t want her mother to see her cry. She wanted to be strong, just like Sofia had always been. “I just want you to get better,” Lina said softly. “I can’t imagine life without you.”

Sofia’s smile faded, and a look of sadness crossed her face. “Life is full of goodbyes, Lina. But every goodbye is also a new beginning. You must be strong, my dear, for yourself and for those you love. Remember all the things I’ve taught you. I’ll always be with you, in your heart.”

Lina squeezed her mother’s hand, trying to hold back the tears that threatened to spill. She had so much she wanted to say, so much she wanted to ask, but the words were stuck in her throat. How could she put into words the love and gratitude she felt for this woman who had given her everything?

As if sensing her thoughts, Sofia spoke again, her voice soft but steady. “Lina, I’ve watched you grow into a beautiful, kind, and strong woman. You have a heart of gold. I know you will face challenges, but I also know you will overcome them. You have the strength of a lioness inside you. Never forget that.”

Lina nodded, her heart swelling with love. “I’ll try, Mom. I’ll try to be strong.”

For the next few hours, Lina stayed by her mother’s side, holding her hand and talking about memories from the past. They laughed about old family vacations, reminisced about Lina’s childhood, and spoke of dreams for the future. For a little while, it felt like everything was normal, like nothing had changed.

As the sun began to set, Lina’s father entered the room, his face lined with worry. He placed a gentle hand on Lina’s shoulder. “It’s time for her to rest,” he said quietly.

Lina nodded and leaned down to kiss her mother’s forehead. “I love you, Mom,” she whispered.

Sofia smiled, her eyes closing. “I love you too, my sweet girl. Always.”

As Lina left the room, she felt a mixture of sadness and peace. Her mother was sick, and the future was uncertain, but she knew that the love and wisdom Sofia had given her would stay with her forever. It was a legacy of strength that would never fade.

Standing in the hallway, Lina took a deep breath. She looked at the sunset outside the window, its colors painting the sky in hues of orange and pink. In that moment, she felt her mother’s love all around her, like a warm embrace.

Lina knew that no matter what happened, her mother’s spirit would live on in her, guiding her, comforting her, and giving her the strength to face whatever lay ahead.

____________________________