Maria

The life of Maria Sipos was following its course, with the good and the bad, sometimes serene and calm, other times whirling like a mountain river, resilient in its flow. Nothing would foretell the dramatic change which came upon her, shattering Maria’s dreams, hopes and plans for future. First, her husband died, and she remained alone with their son, who ultimately decided to sell the apartment they were living in, and buy two single room flats instead: one for her, another for her son.

Soon after selling the apartment, Maria’s son couldn’t resist the temptation to take all the money gained from the sell, thinking that this was his chance for a new and care-free life. He left for Hungary, without a word to his mother, leaving her completely alone and helpless.

It is hard to imagine the clash that was going through Maria’s mind, on the one hand, her motherly love, with the inherent patience and forgiveness, on the other hand, the pain and disappointment that her son had left her without a second thought. Two years of hardship followed, years which left deep and irreparable wounds in her heart, soul and body. She was living on the streets, sleeping where and how she could, enduring the cold winters, collecting leftovers from the trash, or receiving little help from others. Sometimes she would go through days without food.

As life on the streets was hard to bear, she started to consume alcohol or sanitary alcohol, becoming addicted to the substance shortly after. She was homeless, hopeless and most likely futureless. Then, as if everything she was going through wasn’t enough, Maria had a stroke which led her to a hospital in Oradea. She lied in bed for many days, as the stroke left her half-paralysed.
Because Maria had no family or relatives who could have taken care of her, she was taken to the Dumbrava centre, where she found the home and care she needed so much. 13 years have gone by since, and Maria, still immobilized, hasn’t lost her hope to see her son again.