u/CombinationQueasy877

Hi everyone,

Had a weird day at work today. Nothing major, just one of those days where everything felt a little off. On my drive home I caught myself reaching for my phone to call and go "can you believe what happened?"

Then I remembered. I’m okay. I have friends. I’m learning to handle things on my own.

I just miss having that one person who would listen to the small, dumb stuff and make it feel important. It’s the little moments that get me.

Do you guys still do this too? Reach for the phone out of habit? Sending love to all my ducklings

Came home today and everything was... fine.

Laundry done. Fridge has food. Bills paid.

But it’s so quiet.

I miss the noise of her asking 10 questions the second I walked in.

"How was your day? Did you eat? Who called?"

I’m grown. I’m okay.

I just miss being someone’s first thought when they get home.

Do you miss the noise too?

Mom,

Remember how you always said "hard work always pays off"? I got it. The job I’ve been interviewing for the past 3 months.

I picked up my phone to call you first. Then I remembered. I told everyone else. My friends said "congrats". My dad said "good".

But no one said it the way you did. "That’s my girl. I’m so proud of you." I’m trying to be strong. I’m trying to be happy for myself.

But tonight I just need to hear it. Just once.

Do you think you’d be proud of me?

I did this for us too.

Cleaning my phone and found a 3 year old message from her: "Beta khana kha liya?"

So simple. But I read it 5 times and cried.

I didn’t realize how much I’d miss being checked on.

It wasn’t something big. I just had a really bad day at work and I wanted to call and tell her "this was unfair."

And then I remembered.

I sat in my car and cried for 10 minutes.

I don’t even know what I would’ve told her. I just wanted her to listen.

Some days I just have a random question and my first thought is 'I need to call mom'. Then I remember. I wish I could ask her: How did you know you were doing the right thing as a parent? Do you guys have those moments too?

I don't usually talk about my past, but there are some things that stay in your heart for years and you just need to let them out. When I was only 8 years old, I lost my father. At that age, I didn't fully understand what losing someone meant. I only knew that my father was gone, and life would never feel the same again. After his death, it was just me and my mother. I had no brother, and we had to face everything alone. The people we thought would stand by us slowly disappeared. Some relatives who were once close were no longer there when we needed them the most. But my mother stayed. She became my whole world. She worked in other people's homes to provide for us. She worked hard every day, not for herself, but for my future. Even when life was difficult, she made sure I could study, grow, and have opportunities that she never had. As a child, I didn't always understand her sacrifices. I only saw my mother coming home tired. Now when I look back, I realize she was carrying a pain that no one could see.She was not just my mother. She was my protector, my supporter, and the person who never gave up on me.