When Stuart was 13, an illness took the lif:e of his adoptive mother, whom he never fully accepted. She tried, but she could never really reach his heart. She raised him on her own after adopting him as a single mom.
Her best friend, who is now Stuart’s guardian, came up to him nine days after she died and suggested that he go to her grave. Just for you, she left something there.
In fact, it was only after her d:ea:th that Stewart realized that he would miss her. And that’s why he decided to visit her grave.
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When he arrived, he really spotted an envelope resting nearby with “For Stuart” written on it. Opening it, he was completely unprepared for what he saw.
“From your biological mother.
My dearest Stuart,
I was a scared 19-year-old girl the day I gave birth to you. Your father promised me everything, but as soon as he found out I was expecting, he vanished. All I had was a broken dream and a baby I loved more than life itself, and I was scared and alone. The day I dropped you off at the shelter’s door broke my heart.
My heart was shattered by the five years you spent there. I used to cry every night, wondering whether you were getting enough food, if you were loved, and if you were warm. In order to build a life that would allow me to bring you home, I worked three jobs and saved every cent.
I saw a wounded youngster when I came to adopt you. left behind. turned down. I also realized that I would never be able to be honest with you. Then no. Not when you were so injured.
So I became your adoptive mom… the woman who would love you unconditionally. Who would absorb your anger and your hatred. Who would wait patiently for the day you might understand and accept me.
I am not just your adoptive mother. I am your biological mother. I have always been your mother.
I loved you before you were born. I loved you through every harsh word. I love you still… from the beyond.
Forgive me. Please.
Your mother,
Jennifer”
Stuart started crying. As memories came flooding back, time seemed to stop: Jennifer’s boundless patience. Her subdued affection. She had held onto the teddy bear for years. everything, no matter how small.
“MOM!” Stuart whispered. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”
His fingers traced the gravestone. The wind seemed to wrap around him like a mother’s embrace.
“I love you,” he sobbed. “I always loved you. I just didn’t know how to show it. I was afraid of losing you. Of being abandoned again. I didn’t do it intentionally. And I… I didn’t know that you were my real mother. I’m sorry.”
A little breeze brushed across his cheek. Jennifer seemed to be patting him. Stuart replaced the letter in the envelope with care. “I love you, Mom,” he whispered as he stooped down and kissed the gravestone.
Stuart went to his mother’s grave every day after that. Not out of duty. But at last, love understood. A love that has endured every stern remark and every instance of rejection, patiently and without conditions. A love that would last forever, without ending.