Our mothers are often seen as our biggest supporters, always there to help us in times of need. Unfortunately, life doesn’t always go as we expect. When Stephy was 24, she found herself in the darkest period of her life—with three kids and nowhere to turn but to her own mother. However, her mom refused to help, leaving Stephy in a very tough spot. Now, years later, her mother is the one seeking help from her daughter. Stephy reached out to us, seeking advice on how to handle this complicated situation.

Below is Stephy’s letter:

At 24, I became a widow with three kids after my boyfriend died in a car accident.

Earning minimum wage and unable to pay rent and feed my kids at the same time, my only option was to ask my mom to take us in. She refused, saying that her new boyfriend wouldn’t like it.

Those were the toughest years of my life; my kids and I were deprived of almost everything. We survived on coupons, I worked three jobs, and didn’t get more than four hours of sleep for years. Slowly but surely, after a few years, I was able to stand on my own feet. Now, I am a proud mom with healthy kids and a steady income.

Seventeen years later, my mom showed up at my door, despite us not hearing from her all that time.

Now she’s alone, homeless, and asking for my help. She begged me to let her stay for at least a week. As I closed the door on her, she declared, “If I had helped you then, you wouldn’t have been able to achieve all this. Now you have your own home and seem to have succeeded in life.”

I couldn’t believe her audacity. But she continued, adding, “My then-boyfriend made me forget that I had duties towards you as a mother. I was blinded by love and afraid to lose him. I am sorry.”

Before leaving, she said, “Please don’t forget that a mother is not devoid of mistakes. I am only human…”

I cannot forgive her, not after she ignored me and her grandchildren all these years, knowing full well that we had nowhere else to turn.

What should I do?