Javier was tired of caring for his elderly mother, Annabel. She needed more and more attention, and all he could think about was his own life — he wanted to propose to his girlfriend and keep the house to himself, without the burden of looking after anyone.
One day, after Annabel accidentally spilled a cup of hot tea, Javier snapped.
— I can’t deal with this anymore, Mom! I already have enough going on! — he shouted.
Annabel’s heart sank. She apologized immediately:
— I’m sorry, son… The cup just slipped. I’ll clean it up, don’t worry.
But Javier didn’t calm down. He insisted she needed proper care and would be better off living in a nursing home.
— Is that really what you want? — Annabel asked, saddened.
— Yes! — he shouted before walking out.
The next day, he handed her a brochure.
— This is where you’ll live now. I can’t take you — I’ve got work. I called a taxi to take you.
— Alright, son… Will you visit me? Please, just tell me you’ll come visit…
Javier shrugged.
— I’ll try. I’ve got a lot on my plate, but maybe I can make time.
The taxi arrived. The driver, a young man named Tomás, had been hired online. He noticed the house looked old and quiet. He knocked on the door, and after a moment, he heard a weak voice from inside.
— Just a moment, please…
Annabel came out wearing an old coat, carrying a small suitcase.
— Good morning, ma’am. Let me carry that for you — said Tomás with a kind smile.
— Thank you, dear. You’re very polite. Your mother must be proud.
— I try to treat older passengers how I wish I had treated my own mother — Tomás replied honestly.
Annabel was touched. Her own son hadn’t shown her a fraction of that kindness.
Javier stood silently at the door, watching. He felt a twinge of guilt, but his selfishness outweighed it.
As they drove, Annabel handed Tomás the brochure. He immediately recognized the address.
— Oh… my mother lived in that home. That place brings back hard memories. Honestly, it’s the one thing I truly regret — sending her there. I’ve never forgiven myself.
Annabel sighed. She was sure her son wouldn’t feel the same remorse.
— Tomás, dear… would you mind taking a little detour through downtown?
— We might get stuck in traffic.
— That’s alright. My son just kicked me out, and I’m on my way to live among strangers. This might be my last taste of freedom…
Tomás, moved, agreed. Annabel took him on a trip down memory lane: her old office building, the first house she shared with her husband, the church where she got married, and even the dance hall she loved as a teenager.
— That warehouse down the street? Used to be a ballroom. I danced there all the time.
After about an hour, she sighed.
— I suppose that’s enough. Let’s go.
At the nursing home, two staff members came out to greet her. They were concerned she had arrived so late. Tomás handed off her suitcase and helped her into a wheelchair.
— Thank you, Tomás. That was one of the best afternoons I’ve had in a long time. How much do I owe you?
— Nothing, ma’am. Please, don’t worry about it. I really enjoyed the time.
Annabel insisted, but he refused.
— Take care of yourself, please.
She hugged him tightly.
— Thank you, dear… for giving me a little joy, one last time.
Tomás watched as she was wheeled inside. When the door closed behind her, it felt like a part of her life — and his — had ended too.
That night, Tomás couldn’t sleep. Memories of his own mother haunted him. The next day, he returned to the nursing home.
He asked to see Annabel and told the staff he wanted to take care of her — he offered to bring her into his own home. Gratefully, she accepted.
Tomás cared for Annabel as he wished he’d cared for his own mother. They became like family, sharing their days with love and compassion.
Later, as her health declined, Annabel called her lawyer and changed her will. She left everything — including her old home — to Tomás. Javier was removed entirely.
Months later, Annabel passed away. Javier received a call from the lawyer, who informed him that the entire inheritance had gone to the taxi driver.
Shocked and furious, Javier was consumed by envy and regret. In abandoning his mother, he lost not only her home, but any claim to her love and legacy.
Lessons from this story:
- Family is the greatest treasure. Tomás couldn’t undo his past mistakes with his own mother, but he found a second chance with Annabel — and chose to do the right thing.
- Our parents deserve respect. Not everyone can be a full-time caregiver, but all parents deserve love, dignity, and kindness. Javier acted selfishly, and in the end, lost everything.
Share this story — it might inspire someone to choose love over convenience.