After Donald’s house burned down, he moved in with his son Peter and his family. Grateful but worried he was a burden, Donald grew more anxious when Peter and his wife started coming home late. Their neighbor Mary didn’t help—she kept suggesting they’d eventually ask Donald to leave. Convinced, Donald decided a nursing home might be the best solution.

Though Peter brushed off the idea at first, Donald brought it up again months later, after researching a local assisted-living facility. To his surprise, Peter agreed to go check it out. On the way there, however, Peter took a few odd turns. Donald noticed but said nothing, thinking they’d just stop for snacks.

But when the car stopped, Donald looked up and froze—they were in front of his old house. It wasn’t in ruins anymore. It had been completely rebuilt. Peter revealed the truth: he and Sandra had been working overtime to restore the house behind Donald’s back. “You’re not going to a nursing home,” Peter told him. “This house is part of our family.”

Overcome with emotion, Donald cried and embraced his son. Touring the newly renovated home, he finally realized the truth—he wasn’t a burden at all. He had been deeply loved the whole time. And as for Mary? He now knew never to listen to her again.