When I was a child, I didn't know that what I felt was not love – just fear dressed up for gratitude. < img src = "https://zycie.news/crops/6c4077/620x0/1/0/2025/03/22/9yakkzv0mb0mb02mrl0nvqs022txvxdu1mobwwwwwoxdv.jpg" alt = "old lady @pexels" Style = "background-color: rgba (54.54.54.1)" > < p > my mother had a gift & ndash; She could make me feel literally for everything.

< p > for smiling.

< p > for having my own opinion.

< p > for wanting to be more than a shadow.

< p > — I devoted my life to you! & Amp; MDASH; She shouted when I wanted to go to another city.

< p > — Why do you need it ? that you are smarter than me ?

< p > I stayed.

< p > I rejected the chances.

< p > I gave up.

< p > because the mother always knew better.

< p > A if PR & oacute; I was to rebel — turned on tears, diseases, offended silence.

< p > I couldn't leave.

< p > I got married p & oacute;

For a man who was my shelter.

< p > but it bother her.

< p > — You will see, leave you. Every guy finally leaves.

< p > began to call every day.

< p > control.

< p > criticize.

< p > and I know & oacute; in

< p > because the fault was stronger than freedom.

< p > And now … now the mother is sick.

< p > is lonely. Helpless.

< p > and expects me to throw everything to take care of her.

< p > because I am her C & Amp; Oacute; RKI.

< p > because “mother has only one”.

< p > because I owe her everything.

< p > but I don't feel gratitude.

< p > I feel b & oacute; l, regret, burn.

< p > I feel that she took my life, and now I want to finish it with me.

< p > — You can't leave me.

< p > — You have always been an egoist.

< p > — I did not give birth to you to turn from me & oacute; 60 ~/p > < p > I hear these words every day.

< p > but now something has changed in me.

< p > now I know that I'm not an egoist.

< p > I am a woman who for the first time pries to save herself.

< p > I help her.

< p > but on my terms.

< p > I don't live with her.

< p > I don't let myself rule.

< p > I don't let her remorse poison my heart again.

< p > because if I have something else to save — it's yourself.

< p > and I do not feel guilty.

< p > because not everything maternal is good.

< p > sometimes you have to cut yourself off to finally breathe m & c

Natasha Kumar

By Natasha Kumar

Natasha Kumar has been a reporter on the news desk since 2018. Before that she wrote about young adolescence and family dynamics for Styles and was the legal affairs correspondent for the Metro desk. Before joining The Times Hub, Natasha Kumar worked as a staff writer at the Village Voice and a freelancer for Newsday, The Wall Street Journal, GQ and Mirabella. To get in touch, contact me through my natasha@thetimeshub.in 1-800-268-7116