Only Love Can Hurt Like This

Happy New Year 2026.

Alright, I know… it’s already February. A bit late, yeah. But this is my first post of 2026, so it still counts.

2025 was, honestly, a pretty tough year. Work was intense, and it all ended with me losing my beloved mum.

Mum was my friend, my enemy sometimes; but most importantly, she was my parent. The one I respected and loved. Our relationship had its ups and downs, just like any normal mother-and-daughter situation. But one thing I’ve always known for sure: she loved me deeply.

For decades she fought to give me the best life she possibly could. Without her, I wouldn’t be who I am today; a grown woman, educated, with a decent job and a decent life. Thank you, Mum, for everything you did. 

Over the past two years she’d been in and out of hospital. Somehow she always managed to recover, even though physically she was getting weaker little by little. I never imagined that the day I took her to the ER would be the last time she ever came home.

After a month of fighting in hospital, she had to leave me in this world.

I used to think this was just the natural cycle of life. Everyone who lives will eventually die. Children will one day walk their parents to the end of their journey, grieving but understanding that it’s part of life.

But what I didn’t expect is this: no matter how old you are, losing your mum still hits unbelievably hard. There’s a space in your life that suddenly feels empty. Even if you didn’t always have heart-to-heart talks, the loss is still there. Heavy. Quiet. Constant.

I don’t know how long this grief will take to soften. Friends say you never really stop missing them, you just learn to live with it. To accept it. To carry on.

So that’s what I’m trying to do. Live well. Make her proud. Keep her at peace wherever she is now. And of course, keep praying for her.

In a few days should have been her birthday. But God had other plans. Tomorrow we also begin the holy month of Ramadan, without her presence for the first time.

I pray her sins are forgiven, her good deeds accepted, and that she is placed in the best place by His side.

I love you, Mum. And I miss you.