Real Life: 'My Brother Put Our Mother in a Nursing Home Without My Knowledge': Now He Says I Should Take Care of Her

I was making dinner when the phone rang. Kamil.

Christmas Eve. A day that I always associated with warmth, the light of the Christmas tree, and the smell of gingerbread. This year was going to be different – ​​more lonely, because Mom had been feeling worse lately, and Kamil had been convincing me that it would be best if she spent the holidays with him. I agreed, believing that my brother wanted what was best for her. But what happened that day changed everything.

I was preparing dinner when the phone rang. Kamil.

„Anka, don't be nervous, but we need to talk– his tone was cold, inappropriate for a holiday evening.

– „What's the matter, Kamil? Is everything okay with Mom?”

There was silence on the other end, and then I heard something that made the knife I was cutting vegetables with drop from my hands.

„Mom's in the nursing home. I took her there a few days ago.”

– „What?! Kamil, how could you?! Why didn't you tell me anything?”

– „Anka, it was the best decision. I couldn't take care of her, you have your own family, and she needs professional care.”

Kamil's words sounded like a foreign language. „I couldn't take care of her– what was that supposed to mean? After all, we were both responsible for Mom. I left everything, threw my apron on a chair, and went to him immediately.

Kamil opened the door, dressed in an elegant shirt, as if nothing had happened. Behind him I could see the warm light of the Christmas tree, the festively set table, and the laughter of his children. And I was filled with rage.

– „Kamil, what the best thing you've done? How could you put your mom in a nursing home? On Christmas Eve?! She didn't even have a chance to be with her family!”

He tried to calm me down.

– „Anka, listen. Don't be dramatic. It was the best decision. I don't have time to deal with her, and neither do you. They're taking great care of her.”

– „But you had no right to decide for me! She's our mom, Kamil! How could you do it without my knowledge?!”

Kamil raised his hands in irritation.

– “Because you always know better, don't you? Maybe now you should take care of her, since you think I did something wrong.”

Those words hurt more than I expected. For years, I was the one who helped my mother, went shopping, made appointments with the doctor. Kamil would show up from time to time, always explaining that he didn't have time. And now he had the nerve to suggest that it was my fault?

– “You know what, Kamil? Yes, I'll take care of her. But I'll never forgive you for that” – I said, turning on my heel.

I went to the nursing home. When I went inside, I saw Mom sitting alone at the table, a small Christmas tree next to her, and a wafer lying on the table.

– „Mom…” I started, but my voice broke.

– „Ania, don't be angry with Kamil. He said you didn't have time and I didn't want to be a burden.”

Those words broke my heart. How he'd say something like that to her? How he'd say letting her feel unwanted on Christmas Eve?

– „Mom, I'll take you out of here. Right now. We're going to my place.”

Her face lit up with hope, but I still saw pain in her eyes.

Today we're sitting together at my table, sharing the Christmas wafer. Christmas carols can be heard in the background, but you can feel that something has changed. My heart is torn – I know I have to take care of my mother, but the resentment towards Kamil will stay with me for a long time. How could he leave the woman who had devoted her entire life to us? Christmas Eve, which was supposed to be a celebration of love and closeness, became a reminder to me of how easily we can forget about what is most important.

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