Old Lady Who Never Had Visitors in Nursing Home Welcomes Kids Claiming to Be Her Grandchildren — Story of the Day

An older woman was lonely in her nursing home because none of her relatives visited her until two adorable children came, claiming to be her grandchildren. But she didn't have any grandkids. Who were they?

"Margaret," the nurse, Florence, at the nursing home sing-sang to Margaret, who had been reading a book in the common room.

"What, Florence? Is it time to exercise? Cuz honestly, dear, I don't want to do that. Let me finish this chapter," Margaret pursed her lips at the kind nurse and didn't take her eyes off the book in her hands.

"No…it's not exercise, although you know it's for your own good," Florence said, still in her sing-song voice. "Actually, you have visitors."

When Margaret looked up at Florence again, she saw a woman next to the nurse.

That caught Margaret's attention. She never had visitors. Her only relatives were her brother's children and grandchildren, as she never got married or had her own kids. However, none of them came for her.

When Margaret aged and seemed like she might need constant care, they told her to sell her home and move to a nursing home in Ohio. She saw no other options and did it so she wouldn't be alone in an emergency. They had not called or visited her since she moved in.

She wasn't truly sad about it, but her chest hurt every time she saw other people receiving visitors. So, Florence's announcement was a big surprise. She closed her book, removed her reading glasses, and looked up. "Who is it?" she wondered.

And two wild kids who had to be around eight and six came running from behind the nurse, whose expression gave away her excitement. "Your grandkids!" Florence said, with her arms spread wide.

"Grandma! Grandma! Did you miss us?" the boy asked, and the little girl jumped up and down next to the older woman.

Margaret was floored, watching the two kids and hearing the word "grandma." Who were these kids? She didn't remember them. But she played along.

"Of course, I've missed you. Did you miss me?" the older woman asked.

"YES!" they both said in unison, jumping around.

"Is there something fun to do here?" the boy asked.

"Can you play the piano?" Margaret asked and pointed at the instrument in the corner. The kids ran to it and sat down, playing the keys haphazardly and making tons of noise. It was disruptive but a welcome change from the prolonged quiet in this common room.

When Margaret looked up at Florence again, she saw a woman next to the nurse. It was Rosalie!

"Oh, Rosalie. My dear! Of course! This is Johnny and Kayla! Oh my god!" the older woman exclaimed joyfully, standing from the couch to hug the newcomer.

Rosalie had been her neighbor a few years ago when Johnny was just two, and Kayla was a newborn. Margaret often babysat for her and her husband because they were stretched thin due to work and the kids. But they moved two years ago, and Margaret had not seen them in a while.

"It's so nice to see you, Mrs. Langham. I just found out you moved here," Rosalie said, returning the hug fiercely. "I was back in the neighborhood and hoped to say hi when Mrs. Gant told me where you lived now."

"Thank you for coming to visit, darling. You're always welcome to, but…why do the kids call me grandma? I haven't seen them in a while," Margaret asked. She was not angry, merely curious.

"Well, you're the only grandma they have ever known. I'm not in contact with my parents, and my husband's parents died a long time," Rosalie explained. "The kids found pictures with you. I had forgotten them, and they told me they wanted to visit Grandma. I hope it's ok."

"Of course! Of course. Let's catch up," Margaret invited, and they sat down. Since then, Rosalie brought her kids to visit once weekly, and Johnny learned how to play the piano properly.

Eventually, Margaret understood that your real family consists of those who show up.

What can we learn from this story?

• Family has nothing to do with biology or blood relations. It's all about love. Margaret's relatives didn't visit her in the nursing home, but her former neighbors did and became her family.
• The help you give without expectations is usually returned in some way. Margaret babysat for her neighbors when they needed her, and they showed up when it seemed like others had forgotten her.

Share this story with your friends. It might brighten their day and inspire them.

If you enjoyed this story, you might like this one about an older woman who never received visits at her nursing home until her relatives discovered her fortune.

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.