While staying at their son’s house for the night, Grandma and Grandpa were spending time with family. Beloved stories, close family joy and a cozy atmosphere made the visit memorable.
Once it got late, Grandpa moved into the bathroom and checked inside the medicine cabinet because he was curious. It was then that he saw a small bottle filled with the small blue pills that come with all those famous late-night commercials. Smiling to himself, he thought he would ask his son about the items.
Grandpa walked up to his son and said, “I was going through your cabinet and found something amazing.” Shall I try taking one of those pills?”
His son was holding back from laughing out of fear for his father. Dad,” he replied cautiously, “I believe that’s not a very good idea.” They are powerful and, unfortunately, quite costly.”
Without pause, he asked, “How much will they give you?”
The son sighed. Please pay ten dollars for each pizza.”
Grandpa didn’t miss a moment before he smiled brightly. “Go ahead, it’s fine with me. I would still like to try that food. I’ll hide the money under my pillow tonight and we can go after breakfast. So you end up with all squares.”
The son went into the guest room the following day to clean up after Grandma and Grandpa had left. When he entered, he expected to find only that the sheets were fresh and neatly folded. Rather than his expected money, he saw $110 in carefully organized cash stored under the pillow.
Not knowing what to do, he quickly picked up the phone and called his father. He suddenly called out, “Dad!” I explained well before that you’d pay ten per ticket, not a hundred and ten!
A silence could be heard before Grandpa answered, obviously trying not to laugh. Yes, I understand. I just wanted to be certain I was well prepared for the event.”
That one sentence said everything about Grandpa. Every time, looking for new things and happy to enjoy them, even when they were a bit pricey. His childlike enthusiasm showed that sometimes age becomes less important once you keep your heart young.
The memory quickly becomes a story that all of us remember and pass around at family gatherings and meals. Whoever knew and cherished Grandpa was touched by his jokes, sighs and warm smiles. Even though the trip was more expensive than planned, his son had to agree that the memories and laughter his father provided were worth it.
The reason that overnight visit was so special was not the amount we spent, but the laughter, love and the lesson that joy sometimes appears unexpectedly.
