My Mother-in-Law’s Help

When I was seven months pregnant, I found out my husband was cheating on me. The pain and heartbreak were so intense that I ended up in the hospital. While I was hooked up to an IV, overwhelmed by stress, he packed his things and left to be with the other woman. I was left alone in the hospital, crying and feeling completely heartbroken and betrayed. It felt like my whole world had fallen apart in a moment.

At my lowest point, my mother-in-law came to see me in the hospital. She sat on the edge of my bed and said in a calm, matter-of-fact way, “Lena, I’ve never liked you, and we don’t have a good relationship. But what my son did is awful, and I’m sorry I didn’t raise him better. We may not get along, but you’re carrying my grandchild, and I want to support you.” Her words were straightforward, but there was a surprising sincerity in them. It wasn’t the kind of comfort I expected, but it was still a form of help.

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