Situation With My Mom...

[Byzantine]

My mom recently had surgery. Today, as we were going upstairs, she told me not to stay so close behind her on the steps (I'll admit this is a bad habit of mine...). Then she said something about how everyone had already forgotten she had had surgery. I apologized. As we were going back downstairs, she wanted to carry something since I was carrying everything. At that point, I said something to her with the effect of "No. How are we supposed to remember you just had surgery when you yourself forget it?" She seemed somewhat hurt (uncertain this is the right word) by this, and apologized to me for what she had said earlier. I apologized to her for saying it. So, would this be venial sin, mortal sin, or just a not-as-nice-as-it-could-be admonition on my part?

Edited August 29, 2011 by Byzantine

[phatcatholic]

From what I can tell, you have not sinned. You know what your intent was better than I do, but it appears to me that you were not trying to insult her or hurt her feelings. You simply wanted to remind her that she does in fact still need help with certain things. It is good for her to be reminded of this. Occasionally, we have to give our loved ones -- especially those who are elderly or infirm -- these reminders, even if it does prick their pride a little bit, so that they will embrace humility and do what is best for their own physical well-being. Sometimes it can be hard for people to admit that they need help. I think that, far from sinning, you have in fact helped your mother here.