She arrived home exhausted and worn out, and before doing anything else, she put the groceries into the refrigerator. She closed the fridge door and looked at the notes and reminders stuck on it. Written in big letters on the door was: “Health comes first.”
As she was taking off her clothes, her eyes fell on the container of fruit she had prepared for her daughter to take to school. Yes, once again, her daughter had forgotten to take the fruit she had cut up for her. She thought to herself how thoughtless and troublesome teenagers could be.
A few days earlier, the school had also complained that her daughter had been smoking cigarettes, and she had apologized in shock and embarrassment.
She looked at her own tired face in the mirror. For a long time, she had wanted to go for a skin cleansing treatment but never found the time. Every meal she cooked was healthy and diet-friendly for her daughter. She had not seen her friends in ages because she was always busy taking care of the children’s needs.
But did she care for herself as much as she worried about her children? Where did her own health and happiness fit among her priorities?
She opened the fruit container and, as she placed the pieces of fruit into her mouth, she called the beauty salon and made an appointment for a skin treatment. She cooked the food she herself loved. She called one of her close friends and made plans to meet up. She took a long, relaxing shower, and as she dried herself off, the smell of her favorite meal filled the house.
She felt refreshed and healthy. She enjoyed her solitude and felt she now had more patience and flexibility for others.
Her daughter turned the key and walked into the house. The moment she saw her mother, she was about to make her usual stubborn excuse for not taking the fruit. But her mother gently walked toward her, kissed her on the head, and said:
“It’s alright, sweetheart. But take better care of your health.”
Image made by chatgpt
