Emma Richards was a poor, lonely old woman who lived in a small house on the edge of town. She had lost her husband, John, seven years ago, and ever since, her life had been quiet and solitary. They never had children, so there was no one to visit or take care of her.
Whenever people asked her why she and John had never had kids, she would just smile sadly, shrug her shoulders, and change the subject.
One cold afternoon, as Emma sat watching an old TV show in her bedroom, the doorbell rang. She wasn’t expecting visitors. Slowly, she got up and made her way to the door, her heart pounding with curiosity.
When she opened it, a delivery man stood there, holding several boxes. He was in his 40s, wearing a cap and a face mask that covered most of his face.
“Hello, ma’am. I have some packages for you.”
Emma frowned. “Oh? But I’m not expecting anything. Are you sure they’re for me?”
“Yes, ma’am,” the man replied politely. “These were sent anonymously. But don’t worry, our security has checked them. They’re completely safe.” He gently placed the boxes on a small table near her door.
Emma shook her head, bewildered. “That’s strange… Well, thank you, sweet boy.”
After he left, she wasted no time opening the boxes. Inside the first one were small kitchen appliances—an oven toaster, a sandwich press, and a coffee maker. Emma gasped. Who would send her such expensive gifts?
She quickly moved on to the second box and found beautiful clothes and neatly packed groceries. Tears welled up in her eyes. It had been so long since someone had done something kind for her. But who was behind this?
The next day, and the day after that, more packages arrived. Every time, it was the same delivery man bringing them. Emma’s curiosity grew stronger.
One afternoon, she decided to ask him. “Sweet boy, what’s your name?”
The man smiled behind his mask. “Ted Harrison, ma’am.”
“Well, Ted, do you know who’s sending me all these?”
Ted hesitated for a moment before handing her an envelope. “The sender requested that you read this.”
Emma’s hands trembled as she tore open the envelope and read the note inside:
Mrs. Richards, please let me know what you need, and I will provide it for you.
She gasped. “Now they even want me to make requests! Oh, I am dying to know who this is!”
Ted chuckled. “Whoever it is must care about you very much, ma’am.”
Emma thought for a moment. She didn’t want to be greedy, so she wrote down only the things she truly needed—some warm blankets, food essentials, and medicine.
After that day, Emma started preparing snacks for Ted whenever he came by. He always stayed a little longer, sharing stories with her as they ate together. Sometimes, he even helped her with small household chores she struggled with. It had been years since Emma had company like this, and soon, she started looking forward to his visits more than the packages themselves.
Then, one day, Ted didn’t come. Emma waited the entire afternoon, but no one rang her doorbell. Worry gnawed at her heart.
The next morning, she decided to go to the local post office. She walked up to the reception desk and smiled at the young woman behind the counter.
“Hello, dear. Can you please call Ted Harrison for me? I brought some donuts for him.”
The receptionist gave her a confused look. “I’m sorry, ma’am. We don’t have anyone by that name working here.”
Emma’s heart skipped a beat. “Are… are you sure? He’s been delivering my packages every day.”
The woman shook her head. “No, ma’am. There’s no Ted Harrison here.”
Emma walked home, her mind spinning with questions. Who was Ted, really? If he didn’t work at the post office, where did he come from? Was he even a real delivery man?
When she reached her porch, she froze. A small box sat at her doorstep. With shaky hands, she picked it up and saw a note taped to the top. Slowly, she read the words:
I learned the truth a month ago when I hired a private investigator to find out where I came from. I know you blame yourself and regret what happened, but I want you to know that I don’t blame you. I know you only did what you thought was best for me.
You and your husband couldn’t afford to raise me, so you gave me up for adoption. I grew up in a wealthy family that loved me, but something was always missing. Now I know—it was you, Mom.
I don’t want you to be alone anymore. I bought a house, and I had a key made for you. If you’re willing, I would love for you to move in with me. Please, let me take care of you.
With love, your delivery man, Ted.
Emma’s hands shook as she clutched the note to her chest. Tears streamed down her cheeks. Her son. Ted was her son.
She had always longed to see him again, but never in her wildest dreams did she think he would find her like this. Memories of the past flooded her mind. She and John had been on the verge of losing everything when she found out she was pregnant.
They had no money, no stability, and they feared they couldn’t give their baby a good life. With heavy hearts, they left him at an orphanage, along with an anonymous letter explaining why.
Emma wiped her tears and turned to grab her coat. She had to find Ted. But before she could step outside, a knock came at the door. Her heart pounded. She swung it open and gasped.
Ted stood there, his mask removed, revealing a kind and familiar face.
“Hi, Mom,” he said softly.
Emma sobbed. “I can’t believe it. My son.” Her voice cracked as she pulled him into her arms. “I am so sorry, sweetheart. I truly am. I wish I could take back the past.”
Ted held her tightly. “You don’t have to be sorry, Mom. I don’t want to focus on the past. I just want to be with you now. We can still be a family.”
That night, Emma and Ted packed her belongings into boxes. A moving truck waited outside, ready to take her to her new home.
When she arrived, she was greeted by Ted’s wife and children. They hugged her warmly, welcoming her into their family. From that day on, Emma was never alone again.
Lessons from this story:
- The past doesn’t have to define the future. Emma believed she had lost her son forever, but life gave her a second chance to be with him.
- Forgiveness can heal deep wounds. Instead of holding onto pain, Ted chose love and forgiveness, and in doing so, he built a new future with his mother.
