When Vaughn chooses to volunteer at a nursing home to enhance her university applications, she doesn’t think she’ll enjoy it so much. But what occurs when an elderly lady insists she knows Vaughn from when they were kids? And then leaves her a huge… with a note?
The nursing home has the scent of lemon cleaner and medicine. It’s strangely comforting and very different from the clinical smell that most people expect.
I’ve been here long enough for this place to feel like home, maybe even more than any of the foster homes I moved around in as a child.
I was only meant to stay for a few months to get some volunteer hours and improve my university application. Right after school, I wanted to work for some years so I could save enough money for college and take care of myself.
“I know you need to work for now, Vaughn,” Dorothy, my school guidance counselor said. “But don’t delay university too long. The longer you wait, the more likely you are just putting it off.”
I agreed. I’d heard too many tales about people with big dreams letting life slip away because they didn’t have time anymore.
So, I worked as an assistant for a mom-influencer. It was tough work but paid well; plus, I could leave by 3 p.m every day.
That’s how I ended up at the nursing home after those hours.
That was three years ago! Now I’m 25 and still here most days of the week. And guess what?
I don’t regret it! With its creaky floors and echoing halls, this place has become my safe haven.
But last week something happened that made me rethink almost everything!
It was Tuesday afternoon; everyone had eaten their early dinners and gone back to their rooms before bingo night started.
Room after room, I checked on residents—adjusting pillows & offering smiles while listening to stories I’d heard countless times before. Then came Mrs. Coleman’s door! She’s always there—a sweet woman who is 90 years old—sitting by her window like she’s waiting for someone or something!
I hadn’t planned on visiting Mrs.Coleman that day since she wasn’t in my area of responsibility but as I walked past her door she suddenly grabbed my arm with surprising strength!
“I know you!” she whispered sharply!
At first thought it might be dementia; it’s common here since residents often mistake me for their granddaughter or an old nurse from ages ago.
“I’m sure you do,” I said gently removing her hand from mine as we shuffled over towards her chair.
“I’m Vaughn remember? I’ve been working here awhile now.”
She smiled softly back at me saying “You used live next door! You were just a little girl then—maybe five or six.”
My heart stopped!
Next door? That couldn’t be right—I barely remembered names let alone neighbors’ faces from all those foster families…
Yet something about how intense her gaze felt familiar somehow…
“You don’t recall?” She leaned forward eagerly in excitement “You came over every year on my birthday—you sang sweetly & played with Soren!”
Suddenly lightheadedness washed over me…
Part of me wanted deny everything but another part tugged memories faintly into focus: A small kitchen filled laughter… Birthday candles flickering… Chocolate cake… Mint candies scattered across tables…
Anxiety bubbled inside me
“I…” My voice faltered “I don’t really remember.”
Her expression softened like she’d expected this answer all along
“You were young,”she replied quietly “But I’ve never forgotten—you were special.”
Tears stung corners eyes as emotions swelled within
Kneeling beside Mrs.Coleman holding hands tightly together feeling lost yet found again—
How could forget such kindness?
“I’m sorry,” escaping lips softly “I’m truly sorry.”
“Don’t apologize,”she reassured gently “You saved me without knowing.”
For once words failed completely—I felt invisible throughout life moving through families unnoticed until now—
Here stood this stranger who remembered ME—
And somehow mattered deeply during childhood days long gone by…
“Thank you” escaped breathlessly “For remembering…”
“How could not?” Her smile radiated warmth back towards mine “Last night dreamt about little girl singing—it confirmed everything!”
Leaving later that evening felt lighter than air returning home making noodles feeling different inside knowing someone cared deeply about past self…
Next morning jolted awake phone buzzing loudly beside bed groggy squinting screen revealed shocking news:
$700k deposited into account?!
Heart racing wildly—this must be mistake!!
Who gives such money strangers?! Mind spinning wondering whom call first—the bank? Police?? Anyone??
Before acting phone rang again—it was nursing home calling urgently asking if can come early due situation regarding Mrs.Coleman slipping into coma overnight needing monitoring closely…
Barely recalling dressing driving arriving head buzzing thoughts swirling around endlessly—
Mrs.Coleman… Money… Coincidence?? What does mean??
Staff handed small envelope upon arrival
“Mrs.Coleman left this V,” Catherine nurse explained hurriedly heading off shift ending soon
Inside note written shaky handwriting read:
“Use this towards your dreams dear girl—you deserve it.”
From HER!! Mrs.Coleman herself!!
Clutching tightly feeling weight behind words realizing gift given meant chance fulfill aspirations finally attending college becoming someone important instead drifting aimlessly through life…
Days passed deciding carefully ultimately choosing visit hospital instead applying universities finding no one else visited during coma state until fifth day passing quietly away midnight leaving emptiness behind forevermore…
Instead walking office handing check $50k saying:
“Use wisely Miranda fix roof dining hall renovate rooms buy new TV make lives better!”
Donating majority charities helping orphans keeping fair amount pursue nursing school nights wanting serve properly full-time eventually returning caring community where began journey discovering purpose hidden deep within soul all along thanks kind-hearted woman knew better than self ever did before standing outside room sunlight filtering beautifully reminding truth realized finally:
Maybe THIS was dream all along…
