“My Sister Dedicated Her Life to Her Children, But When She Fell Ill, They Didn’t Even Visit”
My sister Lillian was always the strong one in our family. She had a heart of gold and a will of steel. When her husband, Michael, left her for a coworker, she didn’t crumble. Instead, she decided to raise their three children—Matthew, Aaliyah, and Genesis—on her own. She never looked back or sought another relationship. Her focus was solely on her kids.
Lillian was highly educated, holding three diplomas in various fields. Despite her qualifications, she chose to work as a chef because it allowed her to be creative and flexible with her time. She worked in numerous cafes and restaurants, often juggling multiple jobs to make ends meet. Her culinary skills were exceptional, and she was well-respected in the local food industry.
For her children, Lillian spared no expense. She bought them the best clothes, the latest gadgets, and ensured they had everything they needed for school and extracurricular activities. Matthew was into sports, Aaliyah loved music, and Genesis had a knack for art. Lillian supported their passions wholeheartedly, attending every game, recital, and art show.
Despite her sacrifices, the children often seemed ungrateful. They thanked her but always asked for more. “Mom, can I get the new iPhone?” Matthew would ask. “I need a new violin,” Aaliyah would say. “Can we go on a vacation this summer?” Genesis would inquire. Lillian always found a way to fulfill their wishes, even if it meant working extra shifts or taking on additional freelance projects.
Years went by, and the children grew up. Matthew went to college on a sports scholarship, Aaliyah pursued a career in music, and Genesis became an artist. They moved out of the house and started their own lives. Lillian was proud but also felt a void. She had dedicated her entire life to them, and now they were gone.
One day, Lillian fell seriously ill. The doctors diagnosed her with a rare form of cancer that required immediate treatment. She was devastated but hoped that her children would rally around her during this difficult time. She called Matthew first.
“Hey, Mom,” he answered casually.
“Matthew, I have some bad news,” Lillian said, her voice trembling.
“What’s up?” he asked, distracted.
“I’ve been diagnosed with cancer,” she said softly.
There was a long pause. “Oh, that’s tough,” he finally replied. “But I’m really busy with training right now. I’ll try to visit when I can.”
Next, she called Aaliyah.
“Hi, Mom! What’s going on?” Aaliyah’s cheerful voice came through the phone.
“Aaliyah, I need to tell you something important,” Lillian began.
“Sure, what is it?”
“I have cancer,” Lillian said, tears welling up in her eyes.
“Oh no! That’s terrible,” Aaliyah exclaimed. “But I’m in the middle of recording my new album. I’ll come see you as soon as I can.”
Finally, she called Genesis.
“Hey, Mom,” Genesis answered.
“Genesis, I have some bad news,” Lillian said.
“What is it?” Genesis asked.
“I’ve been diagnosed with cancer,” Lillian repeated for the third time that day.
“That’s really sad,” Genesis said flatly. “But I’m preparing for an art exhibition right now. I’ll visit when things settle down.”
Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months. Lillian underwent treatment alone. Her friends from work visited occasionally, but her children never came. They sent texts and made brief phone calls but were always too busy to visit.
Lillian’s condition worsened. She spent her final days in a hospice, surrounded by strangers who showed her more compassion than her own flesh and blood. She passed away quietly one evening, holding onto the hope that her children would come through the door one last time.
They never did.