Visiting Grandpa

Precursor:
   I love my PawPaw and nursing homes! I enjoy going to the nursing home and visiting and meeting new people. Those people are so sweet! I'm actually going to be doing some volunteer work at my local nursing home over the summer so don't think that I don't like nursing homes and don't be offended because this story is fictional!



          "Why do I have to go?" I asked grumpily. "Because your grandfather would love to see you!" Mom said, trying to convince me to go. "But Mom! I don't want to go to the nursing home. It smells like pee and old people!" I said. "Shush Rachel! Your grandfather really wants to see you. He hasn't seen you in over a year and he lives just down the road from us! No more excuses." Mom said. I always come up with excuses to why I can't go to the nursing home. I don't like going to the nursing home because they shower you with hugs and kisses. Mom says it's sweet, but I think slobber is gross! I decided I needed to go before she got too mad.

          I didn't say a word the whole way there. We got out of the car and I saw Mom with the largest grin on her face that I had ever seen her wearing. "Hi Dad!" Mom said while running up to hug a man that I didn't recognize. If that was my grandfather, then maybe Mom was right. It would be sad if I couldn't even recognize my own grandfather! "Hello Rachel." My grandfather said. Mom gave me a look and I displayed a huge grin across my face. "Hello Grandpa! It's so great to see you!" I said cheerfully. He was looking rough. Maybe I need to visit him more often. We visited and talked for hours. I couldn't believe that I was actually having fun. Grandpa showed me pictures from when Mom was my age. We laughed at them.  He also told me stories from when he was a boy.

          I was sad when it was time to go. Mom literally had to drag me out of Grandpa's room. He smiled and waved goodbye. When we got home, I said, "Mom, when are we going back to visit Grandpa?" "Well, you can go whenever you want." She said. She saw that I was confused and said, "Here. Now you can go see Grandpa and visit other people any time you want." She handed me an application form and a volunteer handbook that said, "Shady Oaks Nursing Home and Retirement Center." I grinned from ear to ear and started filling out the application. I couldn't wait to see Grandpa again and meet his friends!