When Donald Harper’s house burned down and he had a heart attack, his whole world turned upside down. Donald felt like he was a burden, even though his son Peter and daughter-in-law Sandra made him feel welcome in their home. He was even more worried when his neighbor Mary kept telling him that Peter would soon ask him to leave.
When Donald saw that Peter and Sandra were coming home late every night, he decided it was time to think about moving into a care home. He had saved enough money and found a good spot in Chesapeake, Virginia, close to where they lived. Peter kept putting off the talk, though.
As the months went by, Donald’s stress level rose. One night, Peter finally decided to go with him to the nursing home. But Peter didn’t go straight to the assisted living home; he took a different route. “We need to pick up something from 7Eleven,” he stated.
Donald had no idea what was coming up for him. When they stopped in front of a place he knew, he looked up and saw that his old house had been rebuilt and changed in many ways. Peter’s face lit up with happiness as he told her that he and Sandra had worked hard to fix up the house they grew up in.
“You think I’d let my father live in a nursing home?” His eyes were getting teary as he asked. “You and my mom raised me in this house.” We must not lose it. Donald was so thankful when he realized he had been wrong about what his son wanted.
This sweet story teaches us important lessons. Don’t think that other people will have the same experiences as you, and never forget how much family loves and cares for you.
Donald knew he was right where he belonged as he settled back into his rebuilt home and was surrounded by loved family. He also learned to ignore the worries that other people put in him and trust that his son would always love him.
