Woman Who Never Knew Her Parents Pushes Biological Mother Away, Then She Learns about Her Will – Story of the Day

I was raised in foster care and never felt like I had a family. But at 35, my biological mother, Caitlyn, contacted me and asked to meet. I pushed her away, thinking the worst about her, and regretted my decision forever.

I had been on my own for as long as I could remember. Even when I lived with my foster family, I never felt that family connection other people talked about. So, at 18, I left their home and cut off all contact.

At 35, I was independent. I had an apartment in Wichita, Kansas, and a solid career in marketing at a prestigious firm. But my social life was not the best, and Sara, my co-worker, was the only person I ever considered a friend.

Moreover, it was hard for me to form attachments with men. My therapist, Dr. Schroeder, advised me to go out more often and meet people. But at this point, I was finally at peace on my own. I didn't need anything to rattle my confidence or cause drama in my life.

Dr. Schroeder believed my lack of associations was because I was abandoned by my birth mother when I was a baby. My foster parents told me I was left in a basket on their doorstep. However, they only took me in to get more money from the government, and they never adopted me or the other kids they fostered.

"I'm sure my foster family's disdain for me also had something to do with this, Dr. Schroeder," I remarked sarcastically.

"Then you understand what I'm saying. There's no point in coming to therapy if you don't want to work on getting better. Yes, you have accepted many things you can't change, but now, it's time to enjoy life. You're still young," she said.

I sighed. "I'm 35 years old already, and I have only one friend, and she's more of an acquaintance. You really think I could have a real attachment with someone?"

"I think so. I mean, that's my professional opinion. But how about this… why don't you adopt a cat?" Dr. Schroeder suggested.

I laughed. "I don't want to be the crazy cat lady, Doc. Oh, look! Our time is up! See you later!" I cheered and grabbed my purse.

"You're going to have to listen to me if you want your life to change!" Dr. Schroeder called as I walked away.

I smiled to myself and left my therapist's office. I liked talking to Dr. Schroeder, but taking up her suggestions for homework was not something I wanted to do. I don't want a cat. A dog would be better, but I have no time for that, either, I mused as I walked home.

Then my phone rang. "Hello? Is this Maria?" a woman on the other end asked.

"Yes, that's me. How can I help you?" I replied.

"Hi, Maria. This is going to sound weird, but my name is Caitlyn. I'm your mother," the woman revealed.

I stopped dead in my tracks. "What?" I whispered.

"Yes, I know this might seem random, me calling after all these years. But can I meet you? Please, let's meet at the Riverside Café tomorrow at 7 p.m.," Caitlyn begged.

"Ok…" was the only thing I could answer. Caitlyn thanked me cheerfully and hung up. That night, I tossed and turned in bed. I didn't want to meet my biological mother, but there were so many unanswered questions.

The most important one: Why now?

The following day, I found myself at a corner table of the Riverside Café a little after 7 p.m. And there, I saw the woman who looked remarkably like the person I stared at in the mirror every day. Caitlyn stood up and smiled hesitantly.

"Hello," I said as I approached and extended my hand.

"Maria! Oh my! Look at you! You're so beautiful! Thank you so much for coming!" Caitlyn gushed and shook my hand. I frowned as I noticed how frail her hands were. She couldn't be older than 55.

Caitlyn tried to start with some small talk when we sat down, but I didn't like that. "I'm going to stop you right there. I only came here to hear what you had to say. Let's get right to the point," I told her flatly.

"Ok, that's fair," she agreed. She seemed sad, but I didn't care. She was the same woman who had abandoned me.

"I guess I came here to explain my side of things…" she continued as I crossed my arms. "I was just 16 when I had you. I couldn't raise you. My parents were awful. So I left you with the Marksons, thinking they were the best family on the block," she explained.

"Well, for your information, they weren't," I snapped. "I haven't talked to them since I turned 18 and moved out. I even changed my last name."

I could see Caitlyn was surprised. What did she expect? That two strangers would love me like their own kid?

"That's unfortunate. I wanted the best for you. Do you have a family of your own now?" she asked eventually. I was on the verge of losing my temper. I was not here for a chit-chat session. I wanted to know why she wanted to see me. So, dodging her question, I got straight to the point.

"What do you want from me, Caitlyn?" I asked.

She shifted in her seat uneasily. "I'm young, but I've been diagnosed with cancer. It's been hard," she began.

I didn't feel even an ounce of pity for the older woman. "That's terrible. But I can't do anything about that," I stated.

"Oh, I know," she went on. "No one can, actually. Most doctors don't even know what they're doing, and the treatments are so expensive. It's—"

I finally lost my cool. I could see where she was going and decided to cut her off. "Ok, ma'am," I yelled. "I see where you're getting at. I don't have any money, and I can't believe you came here to ask me for money after you abandoned me!"

We were in public, but I didn't care. "No, wait. I mean—" she mumbled.

But I didn't want to listen. "Don't you EVER call me again!" I snapped at her and left the café with tears of frustration falling down my face.

I have to admit that I had started to hope of having a real connection — one of love and trust — when Caitlyn called. I thought she must've been wanting to see me because she would have regretted giving me up. I thought she wanted me. The truth was she wanted money.

Hope is the most dangerous feeling in the world, I thought as I dried my tears and decided to forget about her forever.

Luckily, Caitlyn listened to me and didn't try to contact me again. But a few months after our horrible encounter, a lawyer called. He asked me to meet him in his office, where he read Caitlyn's will and handed me a letter.

My biological mother had left me everything in her estate, including two houses and a large savings account.

"Caitlyn is dead?" I asked the lawyer in shock. I couldn't bring myself to call her mother, but I never wanted the woman to die.

"Yes, ma'am. I know a little of the situation from what your mother told me, but I suggest you read the letter she left," the lawyer urged.

I opened the letter, where Caitlyn explained that she didn't want money from me.

"My cancer is terminal. There's nothing anyone can do. I wanted to spend time with you before I passed. It wasn't out of guilt since I could never make up for leaving you," she had written.

"But I hope that this letter and my estate can atone a little for my sins. I don't have anyone else in my life, and I hope these houses and money can help you and your family. I'm glad I got to see you, even with the misunderstanding.

"Not a day went by that I didn't think of you and wondered where you were. But I was too cowardly to find you sooner. I wish I did. Maybe I could've explained myself better. Anyway, all I want is for you to be happy and cherished. Because I did love you. I just wasn't ready for it."

I finished reading the letter, and this time, I was crying tears of sadness for Caitlyn. I couldn't judge or hate her anymore. She was just a kid and human, too. I asked the lawyer where Caitlyn was buried and visited her.

Kneeled by her grave, I cried more. "I forgive you, Caitlyn. I mean… mother. I'm sorry for not listening. I'm a coward, too. I didn't want to hope for something I never had. But I promise you I will find love and be happy," I vowed.

And I went back to Dr. Schroeder and promised to follow her instructions. Subsequently, I made more friends, smiled more, and finally adopted a cat. A couple of years later, I met a wonderful man and was never alone again.

If I have a good life today, it's due to my mother. I wish… I could go back in my time and change what I did. I wish I acted like a real adult and forgave her. But I know Mom is looking at me from those beautiful skies and smiling.

"I love you, Mom. I hope you know that," I whisper every time I gaze at the sky.

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