An elderly woman is shocked to learn about her daughter’s unplanned pregnancy via video. Although she rushes to help her during childbirth and after the baby is born her daughter won’t allow her to see the child.
“What do you mean by it’s too soon, Marie? Don’t act like a child! You’re 33 already! It’s time to consider marriage and starting a family. Aren’t you aware that most women start menopause in their early 40s? I don’t believe you have enough time, dear!”
It was another conversation Irene had on the phone with Maria about her life. And she could see where it was leading.
Marie’s mother, Irene, was a single mom who raised Marie by herself after her husband died from cancer at the age of four. They were close friends and called each other often after Marie had to relocate to another state due to work obligations.
As Irene grew older, Irene began to desire grandchildren. Marie wanted to marry Irene and begin to think about starting a family. Marie wasn’t ready to rush.
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“I – I’m not sure, mom,”Finally, she said. “I have a lot of things on my mind right now. My work, my business. I believe that having a family and getting settled can wait.”
“You’re making a mistake, Marie! Let me be crystal clear! Girls your age manage both babies and their house and their work! Do whatever you want! I’m done talking to you! Call me only if you feel that it’s necessary. Otherwise, your mother can wait too!”Marie’s words were repeated by Irene as a taunt, and she hung up her phone.
“MOM?”Marie covered her baby to keep Irene from seeing it. “Leave, mom! I don’t want you to see my child! Please!”
Irene did not call Marie for several weeks. She believed her silent protest would convince Marie to marry her. Marie stopped calling her at one point and she began to miss her. She tried several times to call Marie, but she didn’t answer.
“No, I’m not going to call her,”She said it to herself. “She must realize she is not thinking straight! If anyone should call first, it’s her!”Marie called Marie just a week later. However, it was not an accident.
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Irene didn’t want to let her phone ring too long before answering the call.
“So, you finally found the time to call your mother?”When she got up, she said these words. Marie’s voice was on the other side of the line, and she paused. She sensed something was wrong.
“Hey…Mom?” Marie moaned. “I’m sorry, I dialed your number by accident…But….”
Irene was worried. Marie didn’t sound well. “What’s wrong, Marie? Are you okay?”
“I – I don’t know, mom.”Marie began to cry. “I can’t. I can’t—”The call was then ended.
“Marie? Honey, are you there? Can you turn on the video?”Marie didn’t respond and Irene began to sob.
“Mom!” Marie cried. “Ahh…I can’t take this! It hurts, mom….”
“MARIE, what’s wrong?”Irene ran to her feet, scared. “SWITCH THE VIDEO ON, HONEY! NOW! I’m here, okay?”
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Marie turned on the video and Irene was stunned. She could hear her daughter screaming and holding her stomach on the kitchen floor. She couldn’t believe her daughter…was pregnant!
Marie was approximately 7 months pregnant and in great pain. Marie had to be taken straight to the hospital. Marie called Irene and Irene kept her company.
“Honey, you’re pregnant? Don’t worry. I’m calling Mrs. Stenfield right now! Everything’s going to be fine. I know you got this, honey.”
Marie nodded. Irene was overcome with tears. She was not told by her daughter about her pregnancy. Why?
Marie’s next door neighbor, Mrs. Steinfield was a doctor and she rushed Marie to the hospital. Irene, on the other hand, began looking for flights as soon she answered the phone and was able to book one just two hours later.
Irene got into a taxi, her heart racing as her thoughts turned to her daughter who was pregnant and how she was crying on the phone.
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She arrived at Marie’s hospital and was immediately taken to her. Mrs. Stenfield informed Marie that Marie had given birth.
“Really? Oh, I want to see my granddaughter! I desperately want to hold her!”Irene was crying. She was shocked to learn that she would not be able meet her grandchild.
“Well, Irene,” Mrs. Stenfield sighed. “Marie doesn’t want that. She said she would speak with you later, and she didn’t want you to see her baby. She was very serious.”
“What nonsense!”Irene shouted. “She would never say that!”
“But, that’s what—”
Irene burst into Marie’s ward before Mrs. Stenfield could finish. She was stunned to see a man helping her child. Marie held the baby and he kissed her forehead.
“She is beautiful, darling,”He stated. “We’re gonna be the best parents to him!”
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“Excuse me?!”Irene screamed at the nurses as she entered. “Who are you, and this baby…..”
“MOM?”Marie covered her baby to keep Irene from seeing it. “Leave, mom! I don’t want you to see my child! Please!”She cried out, begs.
“But, but why would you say that, honey?”Irene asked, weeping. “She’s my grandchild!”
“That’s because, mom,”Marie tried to keep her tears from rolling, but Marie was unable to stop herself crying. “my baby takes after his father. He is black, mom, and I know you won’t appreciate his skin color. Please don’t say mean things about my child. Josh and I hadn’t planned this pregnancy, but we couldn’t bring ourselves to abort the child. We want to be the best parents to her. I didn’t want to upset you, mom, so I didn’t tell you about Josh and our pregnancy. I know you would disapprove of our relationship because you want me to marry someone who is, well, white, but please, mom….”
“Marie! How could you even—”
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“Please, mom! I love Josh! He didn’t leave me with the baby and supported me throughout the pregnancy. We have plans of getting married, mom. We love each other! And I am not leaving him!”
Irene began to regret many things, including her biases, when she saw Marie holding the child close and Josh supporting her. She realized that her daughter was lucky to have someone she trusted, and she was able to make amends. Marie and Josh were both present when she approached them and held their hands. She then apologized.
“I’m sorry, children,”She spoke. “You helped me realize that we older generations are so rigid at times that we lose sight of what actually matters in life. If you two are happy and my grandchild lives a long and happy life, there’s nothing more I want from the Lord. I’m sorry, dear.”
She looked at the grandchild. “Your grandmother was wrong. Please forgive her… And you two, oh, come here….”Irene hugged Marie, Josh, and promised that she would be a better person.
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Marie and Josh saw that Irene had made a mistake and forgave her. They were happy their baby wasn’t deprived of their grandmother’s love.
Irene couldn’t stop crying when she held the baby for the first time. “She is beautiful. Oh, my grandchild….”
Irene was the most excited when Josh and Marie tied the knot a few months later. She was overcome with emotion when she saw her daughter, dressed in a gorgeous satin gown, exchange vows with the man she had always wanted, a loving father and a great son, but also a very humble person.
What can we take away from this story?
- It is the person’s heart that matters, not their skin colour. Josh was a wonderful companion who loved Marie and was always there to help her. Irene was shocked to see Josh helping Marie and realized how kind and caring he was.
- Instead of condemning the choices made by our children, we should be open to understanding and accepting them.Irene was forced to face this realization by her daughter who forbade her from visiting her grandchild. Marie’s firm decision taught Irene how to accept people as they were, rather than judge them on the basis of their skin tone.
This story is worth sharing with friends. This story might inspire and brighten their day.
This story is a great one if you liked it. It’s about an elderly lady who has no visitors in her nursing home, but changes when she gets a $2.3M inheritance.
This article is inspired by real stories and was written by a professional writer. Any resemblance to real names or actual locations is only coincidental. Images are used only for illustration. Send us your story. You might make a difference in someone’s life. Please send us your story to [email protected].