Editor's Note: A mother ran away from home because she was obsessed with the Almighty God cult. Her two daughters have been looking for her for nearly three years. This letter reveals her daughters' deep longing for their mother and their most heartfelt plea for her return. Hopefully, this 64-years-old mother, Luo Qunyao, can hear their voice and come back home soon!
Photo of Luo Qunyao
Dear Mother,
I hope this letter finds you well!
It has been three years since we separated in January 2018. I miss you so much.
When I heard on the phone that you had left without saying goodbye, I couldn’t believe it: How could my mother, who shared all her secrets with me, have gone out without telling me about it? I didn't accept this reality until I found you were still nowhere to be seen when I returned home before the Spring Festival.
You were born in a mountainous area, which was difficult to access except by foot. You had to carry water and firewood every day, and worked in the fields all year round, even on New Year's Eve. However, you had never had enough to eat. Although life was difficult, it couldn’t prevent a person with a vision and goal for the future from growing up. You were optimistic, cheerful, and generous. While studying in a senior high school, you became a Student Council member and graduated from the school in those days. Finally, you went out of the mountain, landed a stable job, and settled down in the county town. You must be living a happy life at that time. Dad was young and handsome, working as a purchasing agent. On the eve of your wedding, dad bought you four sets of new clothes as dowry. Later, Dad went into business, and further later, my elder sister and I were born successively.
Since I was a child, you taught me that a woman should be independent and never depend on others for her happiness. I remembered these words of yours and did as you said. I believe that it was exactly because of the independence that had earned you the respect of your husband and parents-in-law. I learned to be filial to my parents-in-law as you were to yours.
Mom, your granddaughter Coco has grown up to a 13-year-old, 1.68-meter tall girl. She is going to enter her third year of junior high school this year. She told me that she considered our hometown as a better place when she was a child. Therefore, she insisted on going to school back in our hometown. However, when she grew up, she realized there was a big gap between our hometown and the place where we live, and that it was better to live and go to school here. Fortunately, my elder sister refused her request to go to school back in our hometown at the outset.
Mom, during the three years you were away from us, many changes have happened to me. I fell in love and got married. I have a husband who loves me very much, and we have settled down in the city you like, living the way you expect me to. Everything is so good! However, I often woke up crying from my dreams, hearing you calling my name, but no matter how hard I ran, I couldn't catch up with you and see you clearly. There was no way for me to get close to you and hug you.
When I went home during the National Day holiday this year, I found the gifts I gave you the year when you left were still on the dresser: your favorite morning and evening cream, eye cream, and a facial cleanser, which I bought especially for you after you had used mine and said it was quite good. Now there is a thick layer of dust over it, and it has already passed its shelf life.
You've worked hard all your life, and now it's time to enjoy your old age. I've reserved a room for you in my new house. So far, the mattress prepared for you has been left unpacked. It's made of palm material that you like, which is both hard and firm so that it won’t hurt your cervical spine. You always said that a son-in-law was equal to half a son. I'm looking forward to introducing you to this “half a son”, my husband, and his parents so that I can proudly tell them that my mother is an excellent and far-sighted woman.
You’ve been worried about my dad wasting his money. Mom, I’ll tell you secretly that my dad didn’t waste his money. He saved all his money for us, your two daughters. Dad said to me that he kept a record of all the money he had spent these years and that he would give the record book to you and also tell you how much money he had given to me when you came home. You see, he is also looking forward to your return. My elder sister said, “My mom is a great helper to me. Many years ago, she pleaded with others to bring me out to work in this city. It is my mother who has made what I am. We are all looking forward to our mom coming home.”
Mom, we miss you!
Your loving daughters
October 27, 2020
