After my wife passed away, I started planting seasonal vegetables in the garden in front of our house and selling them at the market to provide for my children. My only wish was that my children would not live the poor life we lived. I wanted them to study and have a profession so much.
I would wake up early every morning, prepare the few pieces of breakfast food left at home for my children, and put 4-5 liras in the pockets of their aprons so that they could buy simit for lunch. I would leave the house every morning and go to the market.
One morning, I cut the stale bread I bought from the bakery for half the price, put a small piece of cheese and about 10 olives as an addition to the bread. My 10-year-old son Veysel had woken up at that moment. He looked at me for a moment. He examined my skirt with countless patches on it and my very old cardigan for a long time.
Just as I was about to put 5 liras in his aprons again and walk out the door, Veysel came up to me silently. There was curiosity and a little concern in his eyes. “Mom,” he said, “why do you always wear these old clothes?” His question made me pause for a moment.
I tried to smile at him and said, “These are my work clothes, I wear them so I can work comfortably at the market.” However, there was still a concern in his eyes.
Holding the 5 liras in his pocket tightly, Veysel said, “Mom, I will keep this money for you. You can have new clothes too.” These words warmed my heart and tears gathered in my eyes.
I hugged him and said, “My dear son, your thoughtfulness is the greatest gift for me. But it is more important for you to use that money for yourself. You study and become a good person so that we can overcome these difficulties together in the future.”
After we hugged, Veysel said with great determination, “I promise mom, I will study and make you proud.”
I felt an indescribable hope and happiness inside me as I went to the market that morning. The love and support of my children gave me the strength to overcome all kinds of difficulties. As I opened my stall at the market, my faith in the future was even stronger. Despite the difficulties, I would continue to fight so that my children would have a bright future.