Sons Abandon Old Mom in Nursing Care & Sell Her House, New Owner Returns Her Home Keys Later

Blinded by greed and a desire for wealth, the sons of an elderly widow forced her out of her own residence, sold the property, and arranged for her to stay in a nursing home. Several days later, the new owner returned her keys accompanied by a touching note that made her embrace him and shed tears.

An 80-year-old woman who used a wheelchair had always worried that her sons, Simon and Kevin, would send her to a nursing home someday, but they had assured her they wouldn’t. “We would never do this to you, Mom,” they promised.

Sadly, those promises proved false just two days before Michelle’s 81st birthday when Simon and Kevin handed her some papers about a nursing home, and everything changed suddenly.

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“But Simon, why do I have to move there?” the shocked old woman asked her eldest son. “Kevin, are you involved too? Both of you said you would never do this to me!”

“Oh, my dear… Is this real? Are these the keys to my house? Please tell me I’m not dreaming,” Michelle sobbed as she read the note.

Her sons refused to listen. She begged them to let her stay, even though it was her late husband's house, which he had left her. But Simon and Kevin were blinded by their material goals and ignored her tears and pleas.

“Listen, Mom,” Simon said with a smile. “We know this is your house, but you can’t live here alone. It’s hard for us to visit often. We’ve arranged for you to go to the nursing home, where you’ll get better care. We’ll come see you once a month, okay?”

“Visit me? I’m not a guest. I am your mother!” Michelle cried. She felt defeated. She looked around the house, remembering the good times with her now-separated family. With a heavy heart, she packed her belongings and prepared to move into the nursing home, much to her sons’ satisfaction.

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A couple of days later, Michelle was taken to a nursing home in downtown Pittsburgh, about 30 miles from her house. She was devastated, especially knowing her sons planned to sell her beloved home to buy cars and jewelry for their wives.

“Are you selling my house?” she asked through tears. “But you told me you would take care of it after I signed those papers.”

“Oh, Mom! Can you please stop talking about that house? Yes, we’re selling it. We told you we’d manage it, but we have other plans now,” Kevin said sternly.

Michelle felt even more upset imagining her cherished home being gone soon. She went into the nursing home and refused to look at her sons. She was deeply hurt, feeling abandoned by the children she loved and raised with all her heart.

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About a week later, Brad Perkins, Simon’s 27-year-old son, came home. He had studied architecture and moved to New York for work but was transferred back to his hometown’s regional office. He was happy to live with his family again.

During a family dinner, Brad noticed that his grandma was missing. Curious, he asked his father and uncle where she was. “You told me Grandma stays with us every Tuesday and Wednesday. I don’t see her today. Isn’t today Tuesday?” he asked. “Where is she?”

Simon and Kevin looked surprised and quiet. They hadn’t told Brad anything.

“What’s going on, Dad? Uncle Kevin, tell me. Where is Grandma? Wait, I’ll call her.”

Brad dialed Michelle’s number, but it went to voicemail.

“Odd. Grandma never turns off her phone. Let me try the landline,” he said. The landline was also disconnected.

“Dad… Uncle Kevin… What’s happening? Are you going to tell me or should I go see for myself?”

Finally, Simon told Brad the truth. “She didn’t want to be a burden. That’s why we had to leave her at the nursing home.”

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Brad was furious. “You left Grandma in a nursing home? That’s so cruel and selfish! I’m ashamed of you. Grandma would never leave her house — it was Grandpa’s gift to her!”

He stormed out and drove to see Michelle at the nursing home.

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Seeing her grandson, Michelle burst into tears, crying out, “Grandma, I’m so sorry this happened to you! I can’t leave you here.”

Even though Michelle was angry with her sons, she saw Brad’s innocence. She cried because of her rage and sadness. Brad promised he would fix everything soon.

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“But how will you do that?” Michelle doubted. “Your dad and uncle are stubborn. They already sold the house. I’ve learned to accept disappointment and pain, dear. It’s okay. I’m just glad someone cares about me.”

Brad was determined. After comforting her, he immediately looked for the man who bought her house.

“You want to buy my grandma’s house?” the new owner, Alfred Turner, asked in shock when Brad offered to buy it back. “I paid $238,000 and spent another $20,000 on repairs.”

Brad was set on getting the house back. He offered Alfred $300,000. “I’ll pay you $300,000 for the house. I just want it back. Please, Mr. Turner, understand.”

Alfred agreed, and the deal was finalized. Now Brad planned to surprise Michelle.

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Two weeks later, Brad paid in full and reobtained his grandmother’s house. He was lucky because Alfred had been planning to rent it out and move to Denver.

That evening, he took Michelle back to her home and asked her to pack. Michelle was confused and worried about where he was taking her. She secretly hoped it wasn’t her sons’ house again.

“You’ll see, Grandma,” Brad said as they headed home.

“This road leads to my house,” Michelle said. “But why are we going there? That house isn’t mine anymore.”

Brad smiled quietly, excited to see her reaction.

Finally, they arrived in front of her house. Michelle couldn’t hold back her tears as Brad helped her into her wheelchair.

The house looked the same as she remembered. It felt frozen in time. As she looked around, overwhelmed with memories, Brad handed her the keys and a note.

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“What’s happening?” Michelle cried. “Oh, my God… Did you buy this house? Are these the keys? Please tell me I’m dreaming!”

She read the note, which said:

"Grandma, I wouldn’t be here if not for everything you sacrificed to raise my dad and uncle. Sadly, they never appreciated you. I promise to be a good grandson and do my best to keep your memories alive. This house is yours! Love, Brad."

Tears of happiness streamed down her face as she hugged Brad, grateful for her grandson. Brad was moved to tears too. He told her the house was only hers to keep.

What can we learn from this story?

• Older people are not a burden; love and respect them. Simon and Kevin promised their mother they wouldn’t put her in a nursing home. But greed made them sell her house and send her away. They lacked the care and love she needed in her old age and saw her only as a burden.
• How you treat your parents influences how your children will treat you. When Brad found out his dad and uncle sent his grandma to a nursing home and ousted her from her house, he was furious. He bought her home back and cut ties with his father and uncle. He moved in with her to protect her from further pain and trouble.