I grew up believing that my father blamed me for my mother’s death but the truth was heartbreaking.
I never knew my mother, and my father never spoke about her. All I knew was that she had been very beautiful, because of the picture that hung on my father’s study wall, and that she had died very young.
My father was a sad man, a quiet and distant man. I wanted him to notice me, and to love me, but he never did. He rarely spoke to me beyond the perfunctory hello and goodbye, good morning and goodnight. I would have given anything for him to sweep me into his arms and tell me he loved me.
The shadow of my mother’s death followed me my whole life | Source: Shutterstock.com
This strange and strained relationship with my father continued until I was 18, and by then I was a sad and lonely young woman who believed my father hated me. If my father didn’t love me, who would?
But the answer to all my questions was about to be delivered in the most painful and cruel way. My father was hosting a party for his business associates, and among them was a woman whom I knew slightly.
If you don’t leave the past behind you, you deny yourself a future.
I had the feeling that she and my father had a past together — or at least that she wished they did. She greeted me and we started chatting — inconsequential talk about nothing special — and my father walked by.
I gave him my best smile, but he immediately glanced away. The woman saw it all. “Do you know why?” she asked.
I grew up feeling that my father hated me | Source: Unsplash
“Why what?” I asked, confused.
“Why he hates you,” she said.
“My father doesn’t hate me!” I exclaimed. “He’s just not a very demonstrative man.”
“So you don’t know…” she smiled. It was the ugliest smile I’d ever seen. I was about to walk away when she said, “He believes you killed your mother, Karen.”
One day at a party someone told me the truth | Source: Unsplash
I stopped in my tracks. “What?” I gasped.
“Your mother died giving birth to you, surely you know that?” she said.
“No…” I answered. “No, I didn’t know.” I turned my back on her and went looking for my grandmother, my father’s mother, the woman who’d raised me and never told me about my mother’s death.
“How did my mother die?” I asked her angrily. “Was it in childbirth?”
My mother had died in childbirth | Source: Pexels
My grandmother shook her head. “Please Karen, your father asked me never to speak of this with you.”
“I have the right to know about my own mother!” I cried. “I have the right to know why my father hates me!”
Then a quiet angry voice behind me said, “I don’t hate you, Karen, but your mother’s death is none of your business:”
I turned to face my father. “My mother’s death is none of my business? You’re wrong! I killed her, didn’t I? That’s what you think each time you look at me!”
My father blamed me for her death | Source: Unsplash
The expression in his eyes sent me running out of the door. I got into my car and drove aimlessly, tears running down my face. In my distress, I didn’t see the oncoming car changing lanes until it was too late.
I woke up in the hospital linked to a beeping machine, with a dull promise of pain twinging through my whole body. Sitting by my side and holding my hand was my father.
“Karen,” he said softly, “Thank God you’re alright!”
“Daddy…” I whispered, “you’re here!”
Tears came into his eyes. “Of course I’m here. I don’t hate you, Karen. I love you. And I don’t blame you for your mother’s death, I blame myself. When your mom and I married we were very poor.
“All we had were dreams and our love for each other. Then she fell pregnant and I took on a second job. I knew we’d need the money when you came along. I was working 16-hour days and she spent a lot of time alone.
“So one day when I came home she wasn’t there. A neighbor had taken her to the hospital. When I got there it was all over. Your mother had died, and I hadn’t been there for her.
The accident nearly cost me my life | Source: Pexels
“I didn’t blame you, Karen, I blamed myself. I was determined I wasn’t going to fail you the way I’d failed her, so I threw myself into my work, and I became a rich man.
“Daddy, how could you blame yourself?” I asked. “There was nothing you could have done!”
“I could have been there, holding her hand the way I’m holding yours now,” he said.
“But daddy…” I hesitated, “you were always so angry with me, so cold. You ran away from me.”
My father and I were reconciled | Source: Unsplash
“Karen, you look just like your mother, and each time I looked at you, my heart was torn apart by grief and guilt. It took nearly losing you to make me realize what I’d done. I love you.”
For the first time in my life, my father put his arms around me and showed me that he loved me. It was a new beginning for both of us, and I like to believe my mother was smiling down from heaven.
What can we learn from this story?
- If you don’t leave the past behind you, you deny yourself a future. Karen’s father was so lost in his pain that he nearly lost the opportunity to have a wonderful relationship with his daughter.
- The truth can heal old wounds and open the way to a new beginning. It was only after Karen and her father spoke about their estrangement that they could move past their misunderstandings.
Share this story with your friends. It might brighten their day and inspire them.
If you enjoyed this story, you might like this one about a man who left his widowed mother homeless.
This account is inspired by our reader’s story but written by a professional writer. All names have been changed to protect identities and ensure privacy. Share your story with us, maybe it will change someone’s life.
Single Mother Brings Out the Elf on the Shelf for the Holidays, Discovers Hidden Camera Inside Days Later — Story of the Day
A single mom trying to bring Christmas magic to her young son despite family tension finds a hidden camera inside an Elf on the Shelf in their home. The discovery reveals a shocking betrayal, forcing her to confront those closest to her and fight to protect her son and their fragile peace.
Sophie struggled to steady herself as she maneuvered the Christmas tree down the narrow attic stairs. Her arms ached, and every step reminded her of how different this holiday season would be.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
This was their first Christmas without Frank. The house, once filled with his warm laugh and the scent of his cinnamon-scented coffee, now felt far too quiet.
As she set the tree down in the living room, Sophie wiped her forehead and let out a small sigh. Matthew, her seven-year-old son, deserved a magical Christmas, even if she didn’t feel like celebrating.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
The twinkle of excitement in his eyes every December had always been contagious. Frank would have wanted her to keep that alive for him.
The past few months had been tough for Sophie, especially with her mother-in-law, Rachel, trying to take Matthew away.
After weeks of tense arguments, Sophie had convinced Rachel to back down, but the conflict had left scars.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Sophie opened a dusty box of decorations, her hands brushing over familiar ornaments. Her breath caught when she picked up the Elf on the Shelf, its cheeky grin staring back at her.
Memories of Frank came flooding in—setting up the elf with tiny marshmallows in the kitchen or balancing it precariously on the bookshelf.
Matthew’s laughter, believing the elf was up to no good, echoed in her mind. A bittersweet smile tugged at her lips.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
The buzz of her phone startled her. She glanced at the screen.
@Mom:
How are you two holding up?
@Sophie:
It’s a bit hard to manage everything on my own, but overall, we’re okay.
Just as Sophie set the phone down, the doorbell rang. As she opened the door, her heart sank. Standing there, suitcase in hand, was Rachel.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“What… what are you doing here?” Sophie asked, her voice sharp with surprise.
“I thought I’d keep you company for Christmas,” Rachel said, stepping inside without waiting for an invitation. “It seemed like you could use the help.”
Sophie crossed her arms. “We don’t need company. We’re doing fine on our own.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Rachel set her suitcase by the door and glanced around. “Are you really? After Frank passed, you’ve looked awful. I can’t imagine Matthew spending Christmas in such a sad house.”
Sophie clenched her fists. “You don’t get to say that. Matthew and I are fine. I’m doing my best.”
“I’m sure you are,” Rachel said. “I’m not here to judge. I just thought you’d want some support.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Rachel wandered into the living room, admiring the decorations. “It’s lovely in here. You’ve done a nice job. I wasn’t sure you’d even put a tree up.”
“I did it for Matthew,” Sophie muttered.
Rachel’s eyes landed on the Elf on the Shelf. She picked it up, examining its face. “This elf is so charming. I’ve always liked it. He watches everything, doesn’t he?”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Sophie felt a twinge of unease as Rachel’s words lingered in her mind, but she brushed it aside, forcing herself to focus on the holiday preparations.
When Matthew bounded through the door after school, his face lighting up at the sight of the decorations, Sophie felt a brief moment of relief.
But it didn’t last long. Rachel immediately stepped in, correcting how Matthew hung his coat and telling him how to wash his hands properly.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“Your mom lets you do it this way? No wonder it’s a mess,” Rachel said with a sigh.
Sophie clenched her jaw, biting back a response. She watched as Rachel continued, offering advice on everything from homework to snack choices.
She held on to her patience, repeating silently to herself, “Just a few more days.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
The next morning, Sophie heard a knock at the door and groggily got out of bed.
She shuffled downstairs and opened the door to see her mother, Liz, standing there with a small bag.
“Mom? What are you doing here?” Sophie asked, rubbing her eyes.
“I decided to come keep you company,” Liz said, stepping inside.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Sophie sighed. “You’re not the only one.”
Liz raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”
“Rachel showed up yesterday,” Sophie explained, her voice flat.
Liz frowned. “Rachel? Well, it’s a good thing I came. You’ll need someone on your side.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
The next two days were unbearable for Sophie. Every moment felt like a test of her patience.
Rachel hovered over her, pointing out flaws in her parenting. “Matthew needs more structure. When Frank was alive, things were different,” Rachel said, her tone sharp.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Meanwhile, Liz sat in the corner, shaking her head. “Oh, honey, it must be so hard doing this all on your own,” she said, her voice filled with pity that only deepened Sophie’s frustration.
Sophie felt trapped, their words swirling in her mind like an endless storm.
One evening, desperate for a moment of peace, she began tidying the living room.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Her eyes landed on the Elf on the Shelf sitting innocently on the mantel. Something about its eyes caught her attention.
They looked unusual, almost unnatural. She picked it up, turning it over in her hands. Her stomach twisted as she spotted a small slit on its back.
With trembling fingers, Sophie opened it and pulled out a flash drive. Heart pounding, she rushed to her room, locked the door, and plugged it into her computer.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
The screen filled with clips—her crying, her messy home, her moments with Matthew. Even Rachel and Liz were captured on the footage.
A wave of fear and anger washed over her. There was only one person who wanted evidence to prove she wasn’t a good mother.
Sophie burst into Rachel’s room, gripping the flash drive tightly in her hand, and her face red with anger. “What is this?” she demanded, holding up the drive.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Rachel looked up from where she sat on the bed, her expression blank. “I don’t know. What are you talking about?”
Sophie stepped closer, her voice rising. “I found a hidden camera inside the elf. Don’t act like you don’t know anything about it.”
Rachel’s eyebrows lifted in surprise. “A hidden camera? That’s horrible. We should call the police.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Sophie’s glare hardened. “Stop pretending! I know it was you. You’ve been trying to prove I’m a bad mother so you can take Matthew away!”
Rachel stood, her own voice growing louder. “That’s not true! I haven’t done anything like that. Yes, I’ve thought about Matthew living with me. But I decided against it because I knew it would hurt him. He belongs here with you.”
“Don’t act innocent. I don’t believe you,” Sophie snapped. “I want you out of my house. Now.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Rachel crossed her arms. “I’m not going anywhere. I came here to see my grandson. If you want me gone, go ahead and call the police.”
Sophie spun around, slamming the door as she left. Her chest heaved with frustration. Rachel was still trying to control her life, even after everything Sophie had already lost.
She sat on the edge of her bed, her face buried in her hands as tears rolled down her cheeks.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
The weight of everything—the judgment, the invasion of her privacy, the constant pressure—felt unbearable. She didn’t hear Liz come in until her mother spoke.
“Sweetheart, what’s wrong?” Liz asked, her voice soft.
Sophie looked up, her face streaked with tears. “It’s Rachel,” she said through a shaky breath. “She’s trying to set me up.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Liz frowned and sat down beside her. “I knew that witch couldn’t be trusted. But tell me what happened.”
“I found a…,” Sophie began. She paused, glancing at Liz’s bag lying on the bed. A piece of paper had slipped out, catching her eye.
She leaned over and picked it up. Her stomach dropped as she read the receipt. It was for a surveillance camera.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Her hands shook as she held it up. “What is this?!” she yelled.
Liz reached for the receipt, her face pale. “Sweetheart, let me explain.”
Sophie jerked it away. “So it was you? You put a camera in the elf? Why would you do that?!”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Liz sighed heavily, her voice defensive. “Because you’re not managing, Sophie! You’re still grieving Frank. You don’t visit me. I barely get to see Matthew anymore. I thought he’d be better off with me, but I needed proof.”
“Better off?” Sophie’s voice rose. “Did you ever ask me? Did you even think about how Matthew feels? We’re doing fine! I’m doing everything I can to give him a good life!”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Liz shook her head. “I just wanted to help. When you’re stronger, we can talk about him coming back to you.”
Sophie stared at her, stunned. “Do you even hear yourself?”
Liz threw up her hands. “You told me you were struggling. That’s why I came. That’s why I did this. You needed help!”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Sophie’s voice hardened. “I needed support from my mom, not for her to take my child away!”
“It’s for the best,” Liz snapped, her tone firm.
Sophie stood, her eyes blazing. “Get out.”
Liz froze. “What?”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“Get out of my house!” Sophie shouted, pointing to the door.
Liz packed quickly, her movements stiff. She didn’t look back as she left. Sophie watched her mother climb into a taxi, her chest tight.
“Where is Grandma Liz going?” Matthew asked, stepping into the room.
“She had to leave,” Sophie said softly.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Matthew wrapped his arms around her. “Good. She wanted me to go with her, but I want to live with you.”
Sophie hugged him tightly, tears welling up again. “No one’s ever taking you away, kiddo. I promise.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
From the corner of her eye, she saw Rachel walk into the kitchen. Their eyes met. Sophie mouthed, “I’m sorry.” Rachel gave her a small nod, her expression unreadable.
Sophie held Matthew close, her resolve strengthening. This was their life, and she would protect it at all costs.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Tell us what you think about this story and share it with your friends. It might inspire them and brighten their day.
If you enjoyed this story, read this one: Living next to Claire was a nightmare—until everything changed. One day, the neighbor everyone avoided suddenly became the one everyone adored. I was sure she had an ulterior motive. But as I dug deeper, I discovered a truth that forced me to rethink everything I thought I knew about her.
This piece is inspired by stories from the everyday lives of our readers and written by a professional writer. Any resemblance to actual names or locations is purely coincidental. All images are for illustration purposes only. Share your story with us; maybe it will change someone’s life.
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