I’ve always believed that love is shown through actions, not just words. This belief guided me as a wife, mother, and grandmother. But love can also blind you, making you too generous until someone you care for deeply hurts you unexpectedly.

My name is Martha, and I’m 72 years old. My life has been shaped by family, books, and resilience through tough times.

I married my husband Bill when I was 19. He was a gentle factory worker with broad shoulders, and together we bought a small bungalow with creaky floors and ugly wallpaper—a home filled with dreams.

We imagined a life full of laughter and children, but tragedy struck when Bill died in a factory accident one cold morning, leaving me a widow with a young daughter.

At just four years old, my daughter needed me, but I was also burdened with overwhelming bills and responsibilities.

This loss marked a turning point in my life, forcing me to grow stronger and navigate survival on my own.