Son Who Left His Family for Years Comes Back and Finds Only Memories Left – Story of the Day
|Adam neglected his mother for years after building his own life. One day, he returned to her home to pick up some documents, only to find the house destroyed and abandoned.
Diana Evans raised her son Adam on her own, working tirelessly to support him and fund his education. When he graduated high school, Adam chose to attend a university across the country, moving to New York while Diana stayed in California. Although it saddened her, Diana was happy to see him pursue his dreams. In his first few years away, Adam kept in touch and called his mother whenever he could.
Diana never had the chance to visit Adam in New York during his college years. Their communication was mainly through phone calls, which became less frequent over time, but Diana cherished every call she received. As Adam prepared to graduate, he called to invite her, saying, “Hey, mom!”
Diana was thrilled to hear from Adam, who called to invite her to his graduation in two weeks. Proud and emotional, she promised to be there, eager to see him receive his diploma. However, after checking flight prices, Diana realized she didn’t have enough money for both the round-trip ticket and a special graduation gift.
Determined, Diana took on extra babysitting jobs, working long hours to save up. Once she had enough, she happily bought her ticket and went shopping for a gift. After careful thought, she chose a watch, believing it was the perfect item for a young professional. She asked the saleslady to wrap it beautifully with a ribbon, proudly sharing that her son was graduating from a top university in New York.
The saleslady congratulated Diana warmly as she packed up the watch. A few days later, Diana arrived in New York, full of excitement. Adam picked her up from the airport, and they headed to his campus for the graduation ceremony.
Diana eagerly snapped photos and, when Adam’s name was called, she stood up and cheered, proudly exclaiming, “That’s my son!” Afterward, Adam hugged her tightly, and she congratulated him with joy. Adam, smiling, credited his success to her support. Then, arm in arm, they headed out, ready to celebrate over a nice dinner.
Adam and Diana enjoyed a lovely dinner at an upscale New York steakhouse. Diana initially worried about the expense, but Adam reassured her. “I got a part-time job while studying, Mom. This is my treat. Thank you for everything you’ve done,” he said, holding her hand warmly.
Overwhelmed with gratitude, Diana’s eyes filled with tears. “I’m so proud of you, son,” she said, then handed him a small gift box. “It’s just a little something, but I hope you like it.” Adam was touched, saying she didn’t need to give him anything, but as he opened the box and saw the watch, his face lit up. “This is beautiful, Mom. Thank you. I’ll wear it to work every day, so I’ll always have you with me.”
That night, mother and son made memories exploring the city, taking photos, and enjoying each other’s company, treasuring their time together in New York.
After a few days in New York, Diana had to return to California. Before leaving, she asked Adam if he’d be visiting home soon, reminded of her quiet life alone. Adam assured her he would try, explaining that job interviews were keeping him busy but that he’d call regularly. Sadly, that promise didn’t last.
Initially, Adam called his mom every few days, but over time, the calls became rare and eventually stopped. During one of their last conversations, Diana hinted at her loneliness and declining health, mentioning her weight loss and lack of appetite. Adam, preoccupied with his new Wall Street job and his relationship, brushed it off, advising her to go out more.
For years, Adam’s check-ins grew scarce as he became focused on building his career and personal life. When he decided to start his own firm in New York, he realized he needed important documents from California—ones too valuable to mail. Without notifying Diana, he booked a last-minute flight home. But when he arrived at their house, he was shocked by what he found.
Adam was stunned to find the house in a state of complete disrepair. The structure was partially torn down, covered in cobwebs, with fences collapsed and the lawn wildly overgrown. Peering through the windows, he saw an empty, desolate space with only a few pieces of ruined furniture left behind. The home that once held his mother’s warmth and care now looked abandoned, as if no one had lived there in years.
Adam, unable to reach his mother by phone, hurried over to their long-time neighbor’s house for answers. When Mr. Green opened the door, he was visibly surprised.
“Adam? Is that you?” he asked, taken aback. “What are you doing here?”
Adam’s voice wavered with guilt and fear. “It’s me, Mr. Green. Where’s Mom? What happened to our house?”
Mr. Green’s face grew serious, and Adam braced himself, feeling the weight of his years of absence
Mr. Green explained, “Well, remember that storm that hit California a couple of months ago? Our homes were severely damaged. Your mom didn’t have enough money to repair it, and she didn’t want to burden you, so she moved to a nursing home.”
Adam was in shock. “What? Why didn’t I know any of this?” he asked, his heart sinking. “Where is her nursing home?”
After receiving the address, Adam rushed to the nursing home. When he arrived, he saw Diana, frail and seated in a wheelchair. His heart broke as he whispered, “Mom,” tears filling his eyes.
Diana looked up, confused. “Adam? What are you doing here?”
Overcome with guilt, Adam dropped to his knees in front of her. “Mom, I’m so sorry for not paying more attention to you. I’m sorry I wasn’t there when you needed me the most,” he sobbed, deeply regretful for all the years he had neglected her.
“Adam, don’t be ridiculous. Get up from there,” Diana said, trying to lift her son, but Adam shook his head and clung to her knees. His unwavering apology touched Diana deeply, and tears filled her eyes. She never thought she would see him again, and now, here he was, asking for forgiveness. She felt both relieved and moved.
“I’m so sorry, Mom. You don’t have to be alone ever again,” Adam promised, still kneeling. “I’m going to live with you, and I’ll take care of you.”
True to his word, Adam repaired their old home, bringing his mother back from the nursing home. He also decided to start his business in California instead of New York and invited his girlfriend to move in with them. Together, the three of them created a home filled with love and care. Adam and his girlfriend looked after Diana, ensuring her happiness, while Diana contributed by cooking meals and helping with household chores.
This heartwarming story is a powerful reminder of the importance of family, love, and making time for those who matter most. Sharing such stories with loved ones can inspire them and bring a little more joy into their day.
If you enjoyed this story, you might also find inspiration in the one about a woman who had to flee her home after it was destroyed by a fire, only to return months later and find a beautiful new house built on the very same lot.
This story is based on a reader’s experience and written by a professional writer. Any resemblance to real-life people or places is purely coincidental. All images are used for illustration purposes only.
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