Steve was afraid Debby would feel lonely when he had to leave her in a nursing home because of his busy work schedule. Steve was shocked to learn that Debby had found love in the most unexpected locations.
When she was a college accounting student in her last year, Debby first met Steve’s father, Jack. Jack was an engineer, and they hit it off right away. Within two years, Debby became pregnant with Steve and Jack, and she got married.
Sadly, Jack received a cancer diagnosis just after Steve’s first birthday and died soon after. Debby decided to devote her entire life to raising Steve. “Through thick and thin, we’ll always have each other,” Debby told Steve.
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She gave her son and her work her full attention. She managed to balance her job and family, and as a result, she became a well-regarded chartered accountant and gained the respect of her peers. Steve put in extra effort in school because he wanted to imitate his mother’s amazing work ethic.
He finally earned a business degree, graduated at the top of his class, and started working as an executive. Steve did everything he could to care for his mother when Debby became ill. He would work from home as much as he could, hold meetings over conference calls, and handle the majority of his correspondence via email.
“I’m delighted that she found you, Herbert. I was in England, worried sick for my mom.”
Debby’s sickness soon spread to her legs, and she soon became bedridden. Steve needed to travel more as his professional success grew. He was faced with a challenging decision.
“Listen, mom. I would never abandon you, and I’ve tried to be there for you the same way you were always there for me. But I’m going to need to be out of town regularly. “Would you forgive me if I placed you in a nursing home?” Steve asked.
“Of course, my son,” Debby replied, “I see how hard you work and how much you try to take care of me. But it’s time for you to focus on yourself a bit more. “You don’t need my forgiveness for getting me the best treatment.”
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Steve ensured Debby was placed in the best care facility money could buy. Steve received assurances from the doctors that Debby would be well taken care of and get the best care possible. Steve was still worried that his mother might become lonely and bored as she got older.
Steve and his mother made a deal that he would visit whenever he was free, despite having to go on more frequent business trips. As Steve climbed the ranks, his company requested that he move to Europe for six months to manage operations there.
He was initially hesitant and worried that he might lose his mother while away.
“Steve, my son. How many times have I told you? Through thick and thin….” Debby said to Steve.
“We’ll always have each other,” he replied.
Steve continued to be the kind son he had always been. Every day, he made sure to phone his mother to find out what they were doing there and how she was doing. Debby, at first, sounded depressed and exhausted on every call, but much to Steve’s joy, she gradually started to sound more upbeat.
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“You know, I think I’m going to be okay over here.” I’ve made some new friends, and they’re the loveliest people in the world, apart from you. “I can’t wait for you to meet them all,” Debby told him. Steve was pleased to learn Debby was adapting nicely. He felt at ease throughout his six-month stay in Europe as a result.
He put in a lot of effort and frequently made special food and gift deliveries to Debby’s nursing facility. Steve went to see Debby in the morning after arriving from Europe in the late afternoon.
“Forget Europe! When did you start walking again?”
He placed an order for pizza, watched the football game, and went through all the mail that had gathered while he was away. The only fresh mail he received was newsletters, magazines, and a surprise package from his mother because all of his bills had been paid in advance.
“That’s strange,” he said to himself. Considering that he was in Europe and could contact her anytime, he wondered why his mother would write him a letter. His jaw hit the floor when he opened the letter.
“You are cordially invited to Debby and Herbert’s wedding on February 14,” the invitation read.
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Steve was stunned. Debby had kept her romantic relationship a secret. She had just mentioned how she was meeting wonderful people at the nursing home. Steve had a hard time falling asleep that night. He was very curious about what was going on and just waited for the morning to come so he could ask Debby.
The next morning, Steve got ready as quickly as he could and went directly to the nursing home. He was ready to take one of the wheelchairs to assist Debby in getting around when he arrived.
“Oh, you won’t need that today, Steve,” a nurse told him.
Confused, Steve replied, “Okay, I guess.” “What’s going on?”
“Oh, she didn’t tell you?” “Boy, you are in for a huge surprise,” the nurse replied.
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Steve was delighted to see Debby coming to him carefully without a cane or crutches as he went over to Debby’s nursing home wing.
“Steve, my boy. You’re back! It’s so good to see you. How was Europe? “Is business going well?” Debby asked.
“Forget Europe! When did you start walking again? “And who on earth is Herbert?!” Steve exclaimed.
“Let’s go and have breakfast, and I’ll tell you everything.” Meet me there. “I just need to go to my room for a bit,” Debby replied.
Steve agreed with the nod and went to the canteen. While anxiously waiting, he purchased some coffee and a few muffins. She was walking hand in hand with an older man when Debby arrived. As they approached, laughing at one another’s every remark, they gave off the impression of being a youthful teen couple.
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“Steve, I’d like you to meet Herbert, a former physiotherapist.” “He’s the crazy old man I’ll marry on Valentine’s Day,” Debby said.
“Pleased to meet you, Herbert. I hope you don’t mind, but I have many questions,” Steve said as he shook Herbert’s hand.”
“Not a problem, Steve. Debby kept a few surprises for you, but I’ll answer your questions. “Where should I start?” Herbert asked.
“Tell me everything,” Steve replied.
Debby and Herbert needed two cups of tea, so Steve hurried over to get them before going home to their table.
“Well, when Debby joined us here at the nursing home, she wasn’t socializing with all of us and would often sit alone in the corner. I became curious, so I went over to introduce myself. “At first, I thought she didn’t like me, but I was determined to learn more about the mysterious Debby,” Herbert started.
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Steve immediately liked Herbert since he could tell he was friendly and great.
Herbert gave Debby a quick look before saying, “I got her talking about you.” I could see how her eyes lit up while talking about her son, and it reminded me of how I feel about my daughter, Julia. Debby and I began spending all of our time together and started feeling much better. I helped her out of her wheelchair and helped her started walking again. Since hanging out together, I’ve felt like I can breathe properly again.”
Steve couldn’t help but smile the rest of the time. He felt as though a burden had been removed. Steve was concerned that Debby could view him as a terrible son for deciding to conduct business while away from home rather than attending to her needs.
However, it was obvious that the nursing home had allowed her to interact with people of a similar age who could understand her issues. Debby even found love in the most unlikely of places.
“I’m delighted that she found you, Herbert. I was in England and Scotland, worried sick for my mom. “I could hear that she was starting to sound a lot more upbeat, but she didn’t tell me why,” Steve replied.
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As it turned out, Debby’s doctors weren’t sure she’d ever walk again when she was first put into the nursing home. Her devotion to Herbert gave her the strength and confidence to persevere. They would stroll around the gardens and spend time by the pond, as Herbert promised Debby when he first confessed his love to her. When this objective was attained, Debby was asked to marry Herbert by the pond, and he accepted.
“I figured you only get one life, and we only have a bit left.” Why wait? “I knew what I was feeling couldn’t be ignored, so Herbert took a shot and asked her to marry me,” Herbert said.
“I remember thinking to myself; this is crazy.” But it’s also crazy that I’m walking again. And it’s also crazy that I feel so obsessed with someone I met in a nursing home. “So I took the shot with him,” Debby said.
“Well, for what it’s worth, Herbert, you have my blessing.” Now how does this work? “Am I going to be a ring bearer, best man, or maid of honor?” Steve joked.
“How about you walk me down the aisle and make sure I don’t topple over?” Debby bantered.
The three finished their breakfast and started getting ready. Steve decided to go all out for the occasion. Because he had missed so many while traveling for work, he wanted to give his mother a special day.
Steve located Debby’s old colleagues from her accounting firm and Herbert’s former patients from his practice and sent invitations to them all.
Steve battled to control his tears on the wedding day as he accompanied his mother down the aisle. They only shared for a short period, but Debby has found a new love. She glided to the altar and hardly needed Steve’s hand to keep her upright.
Steve, who hadn’t been dating much since he had been so preoccupied with his mother and business, realized something as he watched his mother and Herbert exchange promises.
Never give up; try again later.
What can we take away from this story?
- Love has greater power than we realize. Doctors had given up hope that Debby would ever be able to walk again, but it seemed that love had given her the extra fortitude she needed to stand up again.
- Others will always value a caring heart. Steve worried that his mother would view him negatively because he had placed her in a nursing home, but she always supported his hard work and knew how much he loved her.
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