Boy Drains Savings to Visit Granny at Home on B-Day, Learns She Hasn’t Lived There for a Long Time – Story of the Day

A young boy saves up every cent to visit his sick grandmother in another state for her birthday. When he gets there, he discovers she'd been gone for many years.

How long has it been since you've seen that beloved relative who lives far away from you? Too long, much too long. That is what Roddy Salvage thought.

The last time he'd seen Grandma Ruthie he'd been six years old, and now he was twelve. He called her every Sunday, but it wasn't the same. He missed his grandmother, and he decided to make a plan.

Gran Ruthie was turning seventy, and her health wasn't good. She'd become frail since Roddy's dad, her son, passed away when Roddy was five years old.

A year later, Roddy and his mom moved to St. Louis. Roddy's mom now had to earn to support them both, and she was offered a good job in St. Louis.

Unfortunately, things hadn't quite worked out. The salary wasn't what Roddy's mom had been promised, and they struggled to make ends meet. Visits to Gran Ruthie were just too expensive.

Reach out to the ones you love before it's too late.

Now that Roddy was twelve, he was determined to make a difference. He started mowing lawns, washing cars, and walking dogs around the neighborhood. Every penny he earned, he saved.

When he had enough, he went to his mom. "Mom," he said. "I've been thinking. I'd like to visit Gran Ruthie for her birthday next month."

Roddy's mom looked sad and said, "Honey, I'd love to, but you know how tight the money's been. Two return bus tickets is $300!"

Roddy grinned and fanned out a handful of bills. "I've got $500, mom!" he exclaimed. "I've been saving every cent!"

Roddy's mom was very impressed and she agreed to go with him to Atlanta to visit Gran Ruthie on her seventieth birthday. "Don't you think we should tell her, Roddy?" she asked.

"No," Roddy said. "I want to surprise her."

On the appointed date, Roddy and his mom boarded the bus to Atlanta. The journey was long, but Roddy was too excited to sleep. He was going to see his grandmother!

But Roddy and his mom were in for a surprise! When they knocked on Gran Ruthie's door, a stranger answered.

"Who are you?" asked Roddy. "Where's my Grandma Ruthie?"

"I live here now," the woman answered. "My landlady is Mrs. Salvage. She's living in a home on Garlow Street."

Roddy and his mom hopped into a taxi and went to the old age home. When Roddy saw his grandmother, he started crying. She looked so very old and sad!

"Gran Ruthie!" he cried and burst into tears. "We wanted to surprise you, but you weren't there..."

"My sweet boy!" Gran Ruthie said. "You've grown so much! I moved here two years ago. I needed care..."

"Why didn't you tell us?" asked Roddy's mom. "We would have helped!"

"Oh my dear," Gran Ruthie said gently. "I know you're struggling, and I never want to be a burden."

"You will never be a burden!" Roddy's mom said firmly. "Roddy, how would you like it if Gran Ruthie came home with us to St Louis?"

Roddy was delighted, but Gran Ruthie hesitated. She only obliged when Roddy's mom agreed to accept the money from her house's rent to help with the living expenses.

Everything turned out for the best! After a lovely birthday, Grandma Ruthie went back to Missouri with Roddy and his mom, and they all lived much more comfortably and happily together than they had apart.

What can we learn from this story?

• Family is the most important thing in the world. You can be famous, powerful, or a billionaire, but it's all worthless if you don't have a loving family.
• Reach out to the ones you love before it's too late. Roddy reached out to his grandmother in time and got to spend quality time with her again.

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If you enjoyed this story, you might like this one about an elderly woman who is estranged from her oldest son and is delighted when her grandchildren show up on her birthday as a sweet surprise.

This piece is inspired by stories from the everyday lives of our readers and written by a professional writer. Any resemblance to actual names or locations is purely coincidental. All images are for illustration purposes only. Share your story with us; maybe it will change someone’s life. If you would like to share your story, please send it to info@amomama.com.