When 80-year-old Edith could no longer walk and had to use a wheelchair, her son, Henry, sent her to a nursing home. Years later, karma caught up with him, and he realized the terrible mistake he had made. Determined to make things right, he went to bring her home—only to discover she was no longer there.
Henry Griffith was raised by his single mother, Edith, after his father passed away when he was just four years old. Edith had Henry later in life, and from the moment he was born, he was her whole world. She worked tirelessly to provide for him, making sure he had everything he needed.
Henry loved his mother deeply, and for years, their bond was unbreakable. But everything changed when he met Courtney Jackson in college.
Courtney was charming, confident, and persuasive. Within a month of dating, she convinced Henry to move in with her. They pooled their savings from part-time jobs and bought a small condo. When they got married a few years later, Courtney suggested something unexpected.
“Why don’t we move in with your mom for a while?” she proposed sweetly. “We can save money for a bigger house, and besides, we can take care of her better if we live together.”
Henry hesitated. “I don’t know, Court. She loves her space. And so do we.”
Courtney leaned closer, running her fingers down his arm. “Think about it, babe. It’s for the best. She won’t be alone, and we’ll have more financial freedom. Everyone wins.”
Henry finally agreed, and soon, they moved into Edith’s home. At first, things were fine. But when their son, Liam, was born three years later, everything changed.
Courtney slowly began shifting all household responsibilities onto Edith.
“I’m a new mom!” she would whine. “I barely have time to sleep, let alone cook and clean. Edith, could you help out more?”
Edith, ever the loving mother, took on the extra work without complaint. She cooked, cleaned, and watched over baby Liam whenever Courtney went out with her friends.
But one day, Edith finally spoke up.
“Henry, I don’t mind helping, but Courtney hardly does anything. I’m getting old, son. I can’t do everything by myself.”
Before Henry could respond, Courtney stormed into the room.
“Are you serious, Edith?” she gasped, hand on her chest. “I just gave birth! I’m exhausted! And now you’re complaining about helping your own family? Wow. Just… wow.”
Edith sighed. “Courtney, that’s not what I meant—”
“Forget it!” Courtney snapped. “I’m sorry if being a mother is inconvenient for you.”
Henry, caught in the middle, looked at his mother with disappointment. “Mom, you didn’t have to say that.”
Edith realized there was no point in arguing. She quietly apologized, though she had done nothing wrong.
Years passed. Liam grew older, and Courtney no longer needed Edith’s help. That’s when she started planting seeds of doubt in Henry’s mind.
“Your mother can’t do anything for herself,” she would sigh dramatically. “She just takes up space. I feel bad, but it’s the truth.”
“She’s fine, Courtney,” Henry said, but her words had started to seep in.
One day, Courtney, now pregnant again, fell sick. She blamed Edith.
“Henry, she made lunch today. I ate it, and now I feel terrible. What if she does something worse next time? We need to think about the baby’s safety!”
“Courtney, mom doesn’t even cook anymore—”
“Are you calling me a liar?” she snapped, tearing up. “You love her more than me, don’t you?”
That was the final push Henry needed. His instincts as a father kicked in.
That night, over dinner, he broke the news to Edith.
“Mom,” he said, forcing a smile, “I was thinking… Since you’re in a wheelchair, it might be better for you to live in a nursing home. There will be people to take care of you.”
Edith’s heart sank. “A nursing home? But Henry, I’m fine here. I don’t need extra care. I manage well on my own.”
“No, Mom,” Henry insisted. “You don’t understand. This is what’s best for everyone. Pack your bags. I’ll take you tomorrow morning.”
Edith turned to Courtney, who was smirking, victorious.
Her heart shattered, but she was too tired to fight anymore. “Henry,” she whispered, “Will you visit me? Maybe on weekends?”
“Of course, Mom,” he said. “I promise.”
But Henry never did.
Years passed. He got caught up in his growing family. He forgot about his mother entirely. Until karma struck.
Courtney cheated on him—with his best friend. She took everything: the house, the money, even his children. Liam refused to speak to him.
Alone, broke, and heartbroken, Henry thought of Edith. Regret consumed him. He had to make things right.
He rushed to the nursing home—only to find she was gone.
“She left two years ago,” the receptionist said, flipping through files.
“What?! Where did she go?” Henry asked, panic rising in his chest.
The receptionist handed him a note. “She married our janitor, David. He treated her like family when you didn’t. She’s happy now.”
Henry’s hands trembled as he drove to the address.
A small cottage by a farm. He knocked, heart pounding.
The door creaked open.
“Henry? Oh, my boy…” Edith gasped, eyes wide with shock.
Henry fell to his knees. “Mom, I’m so sorry! I was wrong. I let Courtney manipulate me. Now, I’ve lost everything—my kids, my home—I understand how you must have felt.”
Tears welled in Edith’s eyes. “Henry… when did all this happen?”
“Three years ago. But I deserve it.”
“No, you don’t!” she said firmly. “Two wrongs don’t make a right. I forgave you long ago. Come here.”
She opened her arms, and Henry collapsed into them, sobbing. “You’re not angry?”
“Oh, Henry, I love you. I’m just happy you’re here. David will be too!”
That day, Henry met David, a kindhearted man who had given Edith the love she deserved.
Henry bought a house nearby, vowing never to abandon his mother again. A month later, he surprised Edith and David with a wedding in Miami.
It was at the wedding that he met Clara, a woman who embraced him, Edith, and David as family. Together, they created a new, loving home.
What can we learn from this story?
- A mother’s love knows no bounds. Edith forgave Henry despite everything.
- Karma is real. Henry abandoned his mother and lost his family in return.
- Never let others’ opinions control your relationships. Henry’s blind trust in Courtney cost him years of happiness with his mother.
Some mistakes can never be undone, but redemption is always possible if we have the courage to make things right.