An elderly woman living alone in a nursing home receives surprise visits from her relatives after receiving a $2.3 million fortune, only to meet karma and learn a lesson the hard way. Lola Simpson sat in a wheelchair, appreciating the small garden seen through the window of her Big Hearts Nursing Home room. Another year had passed, and Lola’s life had not changed significantly. Her daughter, Natalie, and son-in-law, Roger, did not return her calls and did not follow up with her again that year.
Lola’s health began to weaken exactly six years ago, at the age of 80. She needed help with even the most basic duties and struggled to complete them on her own. Lola had always been a cheerful and energetic woman, but who could resist the consequences of aging? When Natalie discovered she would have to care for her elderly mother, she simply kicked her out to live in a nursing facility and then moved in with her mother and her husband. Natalie joyfully told Lola that she would see her frequently at the time, but Lola continued to wait year after year, and neither Roger nor Natalie showed up.
One day, Lola became quite upset. She had brought a tiny family album with her when she was admitted to the nursing home, and as she looked through the images of herself and Natalie in them, she couldn’t stop crying. A young nurse named Mary noticed Lola crying and felt compassion for the sad woman. “Mrs. Simpson,” she remarked as she approached. “Can I help you? “Are you okay?” Lola shook her head and wiped away tears. “What do I tell you, darling? This year, my daughter didn’t visit me again. I’ve been waiting for her visit for six years now. Every year, my heart questions whether I’m wasting my time waiting for her. Will she actually show up?” Mary sighed, wondering how to soothe the elderly woman.
She had heard Lola’s story from the other nurses when she first started working at the nursing home. She was aware that Lola’s daughter and son-in-law had evicted her from her home and had never visited her. She had to do something to lighten Lola’s melancholy. So Mary forced a smile and replied, “You see, Mrs. Simpson, they say that patience always bears fruit. I am sure your life will change one day, and you’ll have so much love around you. Plus, crying doesn’t suit a pretty lady like you. Come on, I want to see a smile on that gorgeous face!”Lola blushed. “Oh, you have a way with words, darling. I’m sorry for bothering you with all of my troubles. But you know what? I feel a little better. Thank you for listening to me….” “Don’t worry, Mrs. Simpson. I’m around if you ever need someone to listen to your worries. In exchange, I might just ask you for some beauty tips on how you have such beautiful skin!” she joked and Lola chuckled. “I don’t think an old soul like me can take any more of that flattery. I was wondering if….” Lola began talking to Mary about the things on her mind, having forgotten all her troubles.
That night at home, Mary couldn’t get Lola out of her mind. She felt awful for the woman and had a plan in the back of her mind to help her. However, she had to first speak with her husband for it to work. “Josh,” she began as they were eating dinner. “I know we have a lot on our plates with a small home and three children to look after, but there’s a woman at the nursing home where I work, and she’s lonely. I was wondering if we could take her in.”Josh lowered his fork and pursed his lips. “We can’t, darling,” he flatly refused. “We’re already straining to make ends meet. That would put us under too much stress.” You can’t sow the seeds of bitterness and expect to grow a plant of love. “But, honey, her family kicked her out. She has no one to care for her. Of course, the nurses are there, but she longs for a family. I’m not putting any pressure on you, but—” “What did you say? She was kicked out?” Mary nodded. “And her son-in-law and daughter never visited her after. She hopes they will come to see her someday. She’s been waiting for 6 years…I doubt they’ll come.” At that point, Josh regretted refusing Mary.
He recalls his mother being alone in her final days since he was too busy working to maintain his family and rarely saw her. Josh couldn’t take the notion of another person spending their final days in such pain and misery, so he agreed to Mary’s request.”Alright,” he sighed. “I guess we’ll somehow manage….”
After the paperwork was completed and Lola arrived at Mary’s house, she felt like her life had been given a second opportunity. She enjoyed being around Mary’s children, who referred to her as grandma, and Josh and Mary held her in high regard. Lola resided at Josh and Mary’s house for several months, and she forgot about her problems. She was finally pleased, which delighted Mary.
Lola received a letter one morning and knew who sent it right away. “You look really happy, Mrs. Simpson. What is the letter about?” Mary inquired as she noticed her neatly moving her hand across the letter’s envelope while smiling. “Oh, it’s from someone special, darling. Just a minute….” Lola opened the letter to read it, and her tears never stopped. She received a letter informing her that she had inherited $2.3 million from her older stepbrother, Morgan, who had obtained Mary’s address through Lola’s lawyer.
Morgan had told his mother that he would always watch after his younger sister, Lola. Unfortunately, he had been bedridden for a long time, and now that the doctor had told him he only had a few months to live, he decided to leave his money to Lola because he did not have any family. Natalie and Roger learned that Lola had become a millionaire after her lawyer visited her home for some formalities and discovered she was in a nursing facility. The couple decided to take Lola back, but when they arrived at the nursing home, they discovered she had gone some months previously. “But where did she go?” Natalie asked the receptionist, perplexed.
The receptionist pushed a slip toward her and added, “She’s somewhere she deserves to be. I’m giving you this address so that you learn that your mother doesn’t need you to be happy!” When Natalie and Roger arrived at Mary’s house, they pretended to be lovely relatives they were not. But Lola was having none of it, slamming the door in their face. “I’m sorry, but I don’t know you,” she informed them. “My daughter and son-in-law don’t let strangers in, so please leave….”
Natalie and Roger finally got what they deserved, as did Lola. Mary gave her a priceless treasure: a loving family. Lola wanted to give her riches to Mary’s family after she died as a gesture of appreciation. Meanwhile, she sued Natalie and Roger, asserting her right to her home, and despite the lengthy proceedings, she prevailed. Lola is currently unaware of Natalie and Roger’s whereabouts and is unconcerned. When Morgan left for his heavenly dwelling, Mary and Josh handled his burial arrangements. Lola’s health is improving, and she is pleased with her family, which includes Mary, Josh, and their children.
