When she was young, Linda’s older sister left her in an orphanage. Years later, she had to take care of her little nephews, who faced the same fate.
Linda and her older sister Amanda fought constantly as children. Eventually Amanda left for college and Linda was still in high school.
The fighting stopped for a while as the girls no longer lived together. But every time Amanda came home, the fighting resumed. ‘All I want from you two is for you to support each other no matter what,’ their mother, Meredith, used to say.
That all changed when Meredith became very ill. Since the girls’ father wasn’t involved in their lives, Meredith had no choice and asked Amantha to help.
‘If the worst comes to the worst, please don’t leave Linda. She will have to live in the orphanage, but as soon as you finish your studies, please come back for her,’ Meredith begged her daughter.
Meredith soon passed away in her sleep. Linda stayed at a local orphanage, waiting for her sister to finish her studies.
At the end of the year, Linda learned that Amanda had graduated from college and tried to call her. Amanda dropped the call without saying a word to Linda.
As the weeks of waiting turned into months, Linda realised that Amanda was never coming back for her. The sisters never spoke again and their hatred only grew stronger.
After a difficult year, Linda was adopted by a wonderful couple, Tim and Gabby. They treated her like their own daughter, and Linda enjoyed the rest of her high school life. Her foster parents supported her at her college graduation as well. ‘No matter what happens, we’re always in touch,’ Gabby told Linda.
Linda became a successful real estate agent in her hometown. She enjoyed helping people find their dream homes, just as Tim and Gabby once helped her.
‘When I look at those two babies in the nursery, I remember how I was left at that shelter,’ Linda reflected.
One day, Linda received a call from a local hospital. The nurse informed her that she was the emergency contact for Amanda. ‘I’m very sorry, but your sister passed away from complications during labour. She gave birth to two sons and you are their next of kin,’ the nurse explained.
Linda was confused and angry. Amanda hadn’t even informed her that she was pregnant, let alone listed her as an emergency contact. How could she do that, Linda thought.
She decided to call Tim and Gabby for advice. They had already helped her deal with feelings of abandonment, and Linda knew they would give her wise advice.
‘I know it’s hard to accept, but Amanda was your sister and those two newborn boys didn’t do anything wrong. At least go to the hospital and get some answers,’ Tim told Linda.
Linda thanked Tim and Gabby for their advice, but remained defiant. She felt that the responsibility lay with the children’s father, not her. Linda thought that she would never foster these boys, especially since Amanda had already caused her so much pain.
Linda travelled to the hospital looking for answers and spoke to one of the nurses. She reported that Amanda had left a note before she died.
‘It may be too late, but I realise now how many mistakes I made and how much I regret them.
I know forgiveness is the last thing on your mind right now, but please accept my last request.
Please accept my children. I’m begging you.
For it was only after becoming a mother that I realised the emotions our mother was going through when she asked me not to leave you.
I feel those emotions now… I’m so sorry,’ the note said.
It was hard for Linda to take it all in at once, and she sat in the hospital wondering if there was more to the story. Where is their father? – She thought.
‘No matter what quarrels you have, you must always stick by each other, for better or for worse.’
Linda found Amanda’s phone ringing with hundreds of calls and messages from a man named Derek. As it turned out, Derek had left when he found out Amanda was pregnant.
Amanda was left alone, unsupported, for months before she went into labour. The situation reminded Linda of her mother. Meredith had also been abandoned by her husband after Linda was born and had to become a single mother.
Linda called Tim and Gabby again to vent. ‘When I look into the nursery and see those two babies, I remember how I was left in that orphanage,’ she explained. ‘Sounds like you know what to do,’ Tim replied.
After talking to Tim and Gabby, Linda left another message for the father of Amanda’s children.
‘I hope that one day you realise your mistake in abandoning my sister and your sons. All I hope is that you find forgiveness before it’s too late,’ the text read.
Linda signed the papers that day, becoming the guardian of her two nephews. She named them Timi and Gabriel in honour of her foster parents who had done so much for her. The most important thing to her was that the boys always support each other, as their mother had once asked them to do.
‘No matter what quarrels you have, you must always stick by each other, for better or for worse,’ Linda told her nephews. The trio lived happily together, and Linda felt a special joy in providing a home for the boys.
In memory of their mother and sister, Linda always took the boys to their mother and grandmother’s graves to place fresh flowers.
Linda forgave her sister and always regretted that they could not reconcile while she was alive. But she always found comfort in looking at Timi and Gabriel, for they had Amanda’s eyes.
What can we learn from this story?
- Put differences aside. If Amanda could learn to let go of petty squabbles, she could create a stronger bond with her sister.
- It’s never too late for forgiveness. Even after her sister’s death, Linda was able to forgive Amanda and accept her children into her life.
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