In a modest neighborhood, often regarded as the poorest part of the city, lived my brother, his wife, and their four-year-old daughter. My brother had been struggling with unemployment until recently, when he secured a job at a cement company as a truck unloader. Despite being new to the job and still learning, he was doing his best to provide for his family. However, their situation took a turn for the worse when a severe storm hit our city, bringing heavy rain and strong winds. Their neighborhood was among the hardest hit, with their home getting flooded and losing most of their possessions, including clothes, the sofa, and their food supplies.
In response to this disaster, my mother immediately offered our home as a temporary shelter for them. Considering my niece’s autism and her difficulty coping with change, which made her particularly scared during this time, they decided to attempt salvaging their home instead. Understanding their situation, my mother made a significant sacrifice. She sold the only valuable item she owned—a laptop she used for watching videos and completing her college assignments. Despite its value and her need for it, she sold it quickly on Facebook for whatever money she could get.
With the proceeds from the laptop, my mother bought clothes for my niece, my brother, and his wife, and stocked up on a month’s worth of food for them. The moment when my sister-in-law knelt down in gratitude and my brother was moved to tears highlighted the magnitude of my mother’s generosity. Despite her own financial limitations, she did not think twice about helping her son and his family. Her actions exemplify a remarkable level of empathy and strength, serving as a powerful inspiration to me. I am deeply thankful for her presence in our lives and committed to repaying her kindness and support in every way I can.
