Just months after I gave birth to my daughter, I was expected to care for my grandmother while she was very sick in the several months leading up to her death.

I would drive 18.2 miles every single night to make sure my grandmother had access to a cooked meal, assisted her to the bathroom, and helped put groceries away after they’d been delivered.

Even though my mother was unwilling to take on the task herself — leaving the responsibility to me entirely — she’d treat me poorly if I hadn’t left my grandmother’s house by 0430. Not only was I exhausted from the lack of uninterrupted sleep, but I would then travel the nearly hour-long drive (during rush hour) home and have to care for my daughter all day.

When my grandmother passed away, my mother only addressed the guilt she felt for not “doing more” for my grandmother… Never once did she apologize for the immense stress she had caused me, nor did she acknowledge how hard I worked to take care of my grandmother.