Mom had me at 16 and raised me and my four younger siblings alone.
I left home at 18, studied hard, and now at 27, I have a good job with decent pay.
Recently, my 12-year-old sister got diagnosed with an auto-immune disease, and she is very ill. Now mom expects me to pay for her expensive treatments.
I refused because life in the city is not cheap, and on top of that, I need to be saving up for my future.
But mom declared, “I am ashamed of you! Family does not let go of each other this easily when in need.”
She added, “As the oldest child, you have duties towards your siblings. You have to be dedicated to them just like I devoted my life to raising you.”
My mother’s words crushed me, yet I cannot simply let go of my future to become my family’s “savior”. I need to put myself first.
Am I being rational or too selfish?