On a typical Tuesday, I received an unexpected call from my daughter, Alice, saying, “Mommy left.” At home, I found a note from Laurel: “I can’t live like this anymore. By the time you read this, I’ll be gone. But you’ll find out what happened to me in a week.”
The next day, I saw Laurel on the news, speaking about her struggles with anxiety and stress. She had been volunteering at a community center, something she never mentioned to me.
Determined to understand, I attended an event at the center where I found Laurel. She explained that she felt invisible due to my constant work commitments and had to leave to find herself.
We agreed to work on our relationship. I adjusted my schedule to spend more time with Alice, and Laurel began therapy and continued her volunteer work. Over time, we rebuilt our connection through open communication and mutual support.
This experience taught me that love requires presence and attention. I learned to listen more closely to my loved ones and to prioritize their emotional well-being.