My Mother-In-Law, My Best Friend

My mother-in-law was the most incredible woman I ever met. I was extremely nervous about meeting her because I had such a bad relationship with my own mother, who was very abusive, but this wonderful woman made me feel like I was part of the family from the very first moment. She became my best friend.

This tiny lady was a nurse who’d served in WWII. After she had her son, she stayed home with him and never went back to work. Instead, she took care of her mother until she passed away. Over the years, she cared for her mother-in-law, other friends, and relatives. When her best friend passed away, she took her friend’s teenage daughter under her wing and helped her in any way possible. Later, when her friend’s children were born, my mother-in-law was a substitute grandmother.

When I first met her, she was caring for her husband, who had Alzheimer’s, as well as her older sister. All this while she had a blood disease and needed monthly transfusions. There was never a complaint and she had the most beautiful smile through it all. This wonderful woman passed away at the age of seventy-nine. She had a current nursing license and was active until the day she died.

My husband was puzzled because he would find a single rose on his mother’s headstone when he’d visit the cemetery. At first, we had no idea who was leaving them. We later found out that the “grandson” who joined the military would stop by when he was in his dress uniform. He’d leave a rose on the headstone and salute her because she’d been an officer.

I am so thankful that I had this woman in my life. She touched so many lives with her caring and kindness.

—J. A. O., Pennsylvania