When Claire opened her daughter Lily’s backpack to check her homework, she didn’t expect to find anything unusual. But tucked between math worksheets and crumpled notes was a folded piece of paper.
At first, Claire thought it was a silly doodle. But when she opened it, her heart dropped. It wasn’t a drawing — it was a letter. Addressed not to a friend, but to her.
The handwriting was shaky, written in pencil. “Dear Mom,” it began. “I’m sorry if I’m not always good. Sometimes I think you’d be happier without me. I’ll try harder. I love you.”
Claire froze. Tears blurred her vision. Her cheerful, talkative daughter had been carrying around this heavy thought — and Claire hadn’t even realized it.
That night, Claire gently sat beside Lily. “I found your note,” she whispered. Lily’s eyes filled with panic. But instead of scolding, Claire pulled her close.
“You never need to try harder for my love. You are enough, just as you are,” she told her.
For the first time, Lily broke down in her arms.
Sometimes children hide their deepest fears behind smiles. That little letter reminded Claire that love must be spoken — loudly, often, and without condition.
