Shirley had always relied on her younger brother, Alex, to look after their mother while she moved abroad. She was sure he would care for their mother properly. But everything changed during a visit home a year later, leading to a shocking discovery that turned Shirley’s life plans upside down.
Shirley, a 40-year-old nurse, had left her hometown in search of better opportunities in the US. Before she moved, she lived with her aging mother, who had no intention of ever moving into a nursing home. With Shirley moving abroad, someone had to step up to care for her mother, and Alex, who had just finished university, was the one she trusted.
Before leaving, Shirley had a serious talk with Alex. “Mom needs someone to stay with her full-time. I can’t take her with me because we live in a small apartment with my husband and son,” she explained.
Alex wasn’t thrilled about living in their rural village with their mother. “I’ll visit her every weekend,” he proposed. “I’ll make sure the house is clean and she has food. But I don’t want to live there.”
Shirley, though worried, reluctantly agreed to this plan. She couldn’t shake her concern about her mother’s well-being, but she hoped for the best.
For the next three years, Alex did visit every weekend as promised. But when Shirley came home for the holidays that year, she was stunned by the change in her mother. At 65, her mother looked frail and no longer seemed able to live on her own.
“We need to come up with a new plan,” Shirley told Alex, her voice firm. “Mom can’t keep living by herself.”
While Alex agreed that something needed to be done, he still refused to move to the village. Shirley, determined to make sure her mother was well cared for, offered a new arrangement. “How about I send you money every month? You can move in with her, and the money will cover both of you.”
Alex agreed to this proposal, seeming pleased with the offer. Shirley felt a bit of relief as she returned to the US, hoping her brother would finally live up to his promise. Despite knowing Alex enjoyed going out with friends, she sent him money each month, enough to support both him and their mother.
But Shirley didn’t know that Alex never moved in with their mother. Instead, he kept up his weekend visits, pocketing the money and spending it on himself. Their mother, too proud to burden Shirley, kept quiet about what was really happening. She didn’t want to add to her daughter’s worries.
A year later, Shirley planned another visit home, but this time she decided to surprise her family by arriving earlier than expected. When she walked through the door, she was shocked to find her mother alone.
“Where’s Alex?” Shirley asked, her voice laced with concern. “Isn’t he supposed to be living here, taking care of you?”
Her mother let out a heavy sigh and finally told the truth. “He visits now and then, but he never moved in. He spends most of the money you send on himself.”
Furious, Shirley confronted Alex when he showed up later that day. “You promised me you’d take care of Mom!” she demanded. “How could you leave her alone like this?”
Alex shrugged, clearly indifferent. “There are plenty of elderly people living on their own here. They manage just fine. Mom’s been doing okay.”
Shirley was not convinced. She pressed him about the money she’d been sending. Her mother spoke up, revealing Alex’s secret. “He’s been gambling it away with his friends. Everyone in the village knows him for it.”
Shirley was devastated. Her brother had betrayed her trust and squandered the money meant to care for their mother. She turned to her husband for advice. “I think we need to bring Mom to live with us,” she said, her voice tinged with worry. “Even though it might be tough financially, we need to take care of her.”
Her husband agreed after thinking it over. Shirley then discussed the idea with her mother. After some consideration, her mother agreed to sell her house to help them afford a larger apartment. They kept the sale a secret, fearing Alex might demand his share.
At the end of Shirley’s visit, she told Alex they had made new arrangements for their mother’s care. “A neighbor will check on her daily until we figure out the next steps,” she said, keeping her tone cool.
Alex replied dismissively, “Just put her in a nursing home. She’ll be fine.”
Disappointed by her brother’s lack of concern, Shirley returned to the US and started selling their mother’s house. Three months later, her mother arrived to move in with Shirley’s family. The proceeds from the house sale helped them upgrade to a larger apartment, and Shirley felt a huge sense of relief knowing her mother was finally in good hands.
At the airport, Shirley eagerly waited for her mother’s arrival. As they settled into their new life together, Shirley was thankful that her mother would no longer be alone. She could now enjoy her remaining years surrounded by family, especially her grandson.
Key Lessons:
- Trust must be earned, not assumed. Shirley trusted Alex to care for their mother, but he broke that trust by lying and neglecting his responsibilities.
- Family takes care of one another. Despite financial concerns, Shirley’s husband agreed to welcome her mother into their home, showing the importance of caring for loved ones who can no longer care for themselves.
