It was a Friday, like many others, and you were once again spending time in the hospital room, anxiously waiting for your curious five-year-old son, Richard, to recover. He was born prematurely, and since then, his life had sometimes felt like a struggle. But despite the numerous challenges he faced, his genuine optimism and cheerful spirit filled each moment, even in the toughest situations.

This time, Richard had caught a bad cold. His temperature had risen to 39°C, and you found yourself back in the hospital once more. You sat beside him, engrossed in reading his favorite storybook, until he finally closed his eyes from sheer exhaustion. When he fell asleep, you decided to step out for a moment to discuss his condition with the doctor, hoping for some good news.

Only five minutes had passed, but for Richard, who had just started to drift off into a peaceful slumber, this short delay felt like an eternity. Soon, he woke up and, noticing the empty room, began to panic. Clad in his cozy blue hospital outfit adorned with cute bunnies and topped with a warm hoodie featuring bear ears, he stood up and ventured into the corridor, not waiting for the nurse to arrive.

The cold air crept under his hoodie, but he paid no mind to it. His only wish was to find you, to feel the comfort of your presence. He walked down the dimly lit hallway, careful not to drop the IV stand and the cup of water he was carrying. Summoning all his strength to hold back tears that threatened to spill, he peeked into every open room he passed. His heart raced with fear—he was afraid you had left him for good, that he would be all alone.

Suddenly, he spotted you—standing in the main hall, discussing something important with the doctor. Richard called out joyfully, almost like a song, “Mommy! Why did you leave? I thought I would be all alone...” His words rang out like a melody filled with fear and confusion, longing for the safety of your embrace.