My mom told me to stay away for 3 months because of some work on the house. When I visited unexpectedly, I found out a sad secret she had been hiding.

“I have cancer. I’ve been getting chemo for the past few months. I didn’t want to tell you because I thought I could handle it on my own. You were working hard for your promotion, and I didn’t want to burden you,” her mom said, as tears began to fall.

“I’ve always been your support, and I didn’t want you to see me like this…”

Mia started crying, overwhelmed by her mom’s condition and feeling guilty for not visiting sooner, especially when she first sensed something was wrong.

But she couldn’t change the past.

Mia held her mom’s hand and hugged her, telling her she was there now and everything would be okay. She reminded her mom how important she was, and how she had shaped her into who she was. As Mia kissed her mom’s hands and forehead, telling her how much she loved her, her mom quietly passed away.

Mia stayed there, holding on to the warmth of their last hug as she cried.

This story is a reminder to always stay in touch with those we love, no matter how busy life gets, and to trust our instincts when something feels off.