A birthday surprise

One girl decided to bring the party to her grandma after learning she wouldn’t be able to leave the nursing home.

10-year-old Ellie Boshers of Pulaski, Tennessee, says she really wanted her grandma, Rita Blankenship, to be part of her birthday celebration. The two have always celebrated Ellie’s birthday together, from special dinners to seeing “The Nutcracker.” Blankenship missed two of Ellie’s birthdays because of her health.

“I decided I either didn’t want to have a party at all or have her there with me,” Ellie says to ABC News. "It’s just hard to see her having such a hard time and I was just scared that something might happen and this might be one of the last events."

Mom Kimber Boshers consulted the facility and fellow parents. Eight of Ellie’s friends were able to move the “Alice in Wonderland”-themed party to Blankenship’s nursing home complete with games, crafts, costumes, a photo booth and—of course—a tea party. The party was a surprise to Blankenship, who wiped tears from her face when she saw the children.

“I loved it. It was so much fun. My favorite part was pretty much seeing the look on Granny’s face,” Ellie says.

Nicole Stempak

Nicole was Senior Editor at I Advance Senior Care and Long Term Living Magazine 2015-2017. She has a Journalism degree from Kent State University and is finalizing a master’s degree in Information Architecture and Management. She has extensive studies in the digital user experience and in branding online media. She has worked as an editor and writer for various B2B publications, including Business Finance.