My mother abandoned me for a man and left me homeless—fifteen years later, she returned asking for one last chance, but everything had already changed.

woman I had become deserved peace.

And in the end, opening my door didn’t heal my mother’s life.

It healed mine.

Sometimes the strongest thing we can do isn’t holding on to the pain.

Sometimes it’s setting it down.

And finally walking forward.

Together.

Even if only for a little while.