Dying mom seeking advice from people who lost their mothers early in life gets wholesome responses

Losing someone close to our hearts is never easy. What gives us some relief after losing a close one is the thought that they had love and love only for us. Some children grow up not even knowing if they were loved by their mother or father, whom they lost at a very young age. But this terminally-ill mom on Reddit didn't want her daughter to have any such doubts. Sharing on a parenting community, u/Similar_Raisin_3040 asked for advice, particularly from people who have lost their mothers quite early on in life. Touched by her post, hundreds of users expressed their love and overwhelming support.

The 40-year-old mother was recently diagnosed with fatal Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) in its aggressive form. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, this neurological disorder impacts the nerve cells of the brain and spinal cord, causing the voluntary muscles to weaken, twitch and gradually waste away. Knowing that she would be losing her muscle function and wouldn't live longer, the mother couldn't stand the pain of not being able to see her child walk, talk or grow up.

"I wanted to ask people who lost their mothers early on when they were babies or infants if there is anything you would have liked to have had from your mom that would have helped you and made you feel loved by her, even though you don't remember her, like a letter, video or something else," asked the mom. "So far, the only thing I managed to do was select and buy seventy-five books that range from ages 0 to 12 and that I think we would have had fun reading. I am also writing a special message on the cover of some of the books that touch on a subject I find important, such as feminism, dealing with emotions or puberty," she explained.

Though recording a video would make her daughter feel more connected to her mom, the woman couldn't bring herself to make one without breaking down into tears. "I want her to know how much she was loved by me and that she will never be alone," the mother wrote. Many people who lost their moms when they were children shared their prized possessions that remind them of their mothers. Some advised the mom to create memoirs of her and her newborn daughter so that the little one would feel loved.

"My mom died when I was 11 and she had written exactly one letter to each of us to be given when we were older teens. It’s something I treasure but wish I had more of. The things you long for in a mother shift so much as you grow into adulthood. I wish she was here to give advice, but I’m also at an age where I wish she was here to be a friend, someone who I could also encourage and support as she pursues her own interest and dreams," commented u/abluetruedream. "My mom died when I was 3 years old, I am now 39. I always wondered how much she loved me. I would have loved a video of her interaction with me. Just like everyday interaction. Her combing my hair or having lunch together. I have no memories of her. Maybe you can record yourself with her and your favorite things that you do with her," wrote u/celinad08. "Videos of you reading the books, recordings of you singing lullabies, pictures of you two together," wrote u/miscreation00.