At a young age, Linda’s older sister abandoned her in a group home. Years later, she is left to care for her young nephews, who face the same fate.
My mom died when I was just 12. My world shattered—all the light disappeared with her. I was placed in a group home for a while, with the plan that my sister Amanda would take me in after she graduated.
The months turned into years, and she never came. No calls, no messages. Nothing. I was left alone in this world, carrying the pain and the anger toward my sister who abandoned me at the worst. I was lucky—a wonderful family adopted me. They became my new home. I grew up, got a job, and life finally started to settle.
Until a week ago, when I got a call. From the hospital.
“I’m very sorry to tell you this,” the voice said, “but your sister passed away during childbirth. She gave birth to twin boys. You’re their closest living relative.”
I got there as fast as I could. And when I saw those newborn twins, something inside me shifted. I saw myself in them—just as abandoned, just as alone. The pain toward my sister was still there. I wanted to walk away—this wasn’t MY problem!
But then a nurse approached me. “Your sister’s final wish was for you to have this note,” she said.
I unfolded the paper… and started to read. Oh my God. The tears came pouring down. How am I supposed to live with THIS now?
“I know it might be too late, but I finally see how many mistakes I made—and I regret them all.
I don’t expect your forgiveness, not now. But please, grant me this one final wish.
Take in my children. I’m begging you.
It wasn’t until I became a mother myself that I truly understood what our mom felt when she pleaded with me not to leave you.
Now, I feel it too… and I’m so sorry.”
My heart pounded. Where was their father?
Searching Amanda’s phone, I found countless messages to a man named Derek. He had abandoned her the moment he learned she was pregnant, leaving her to face everything alone—just like our mother, Meredith, when my father left after my birth.
That day, I made a decision that would change my life forever. I signed on as the guardian of my two nephews. I named them Timothy and Gabriel, after my adoptive parents, who had given me the love and support I so desperately needed growing up.
Together, we built a life. Raising them gave me purpose, and we honored Amanda and Meredith with fresh flowers on their graves.
Though I never got to mend things with Amanda, I saw her in Timothy and Gabriel. Through them, she lived on.