Bob was running late. He had just gotten a phone call from a hospital in Florida, telling him that a baby girl had been born, and he was listed as the father. He almost thought it was a joke. But deep down, he knew it wasn’t. His wife, Mary, had been in Florida for a short vacation—a trip he had planned for her as a surprise while he worked on renovating their home.
Bob and Mary had no biological children together, but they had adopted three. Adoption had always been important to both of them. Bob, having grown up in foster care, had made a promise to himself that he would help as many children as he could.
“If I can help those kids grow up to be the best versions of themselves, then I feel like I’ve made a huge difference,” he had once told Mary while they discussed their plans for adoption.
Bob also had two grown children from his previous marriage with Ellen. That marriage had ended when he caught her cheating with their pool boy. After their divorce, he met Mary, and they quickly fell in love. They tried for years to have a child of their own but faced many struggles. Despite this, they never gave up hope, and one day, their perseverance paid off—Mary became pregnant.
Excited about their growing family, Bob started expanding their home to include a nursery and an extra room. Since Mary was due in two months, he sent her on a trip to Florida—a place she had always wanted to visit. But what was meant to be a relaxing getaway turned into a tragedy.
Mary unexpectedly went into labor and was rushed to the hospital. Complications arose, and despite the doctors’ efforts, she did not survive. Bob received the heartbreaking call, and at the same time, he was told that his newborn daughter needed to be taken home as soon as possible. Without hesitation, he packed his bags and took the next flight to Florida.
When he landed, he rented a car and drove straight to the hospital. The pain of losing Mary hit him hard, but he knew there would be time to grieve later. Right now, his priority was bringing his daughter home.
At the hospital, he was greeted by an elderly woman named Mrs. Sticks. She was a kind volunteer at the intensive care unit, an 82-year-old widow with a warm presence.
Bob wasted no time. “What happened?” he asked as soon as he entered her office.
Mrs. Sticks looked at him with gentle eyes. “Have a seat, Bob,” she said.
“I’m better off standing,” he replied, his voice tight with emotion.
“I’m sorry for your loss, Bob,” she said softly. “Your wife suffered complications during childbirth. The doctors did everything they could.”
Tears filled Bob’s eyes. He let them fall freely, sobbing in front of a woman he had just met. Mrs. Sticks said nothing, giving him space to grieve. After a few moments, she cleared her throat and spoke again.
“You’ve come to take your daughter home,” she said, “but I have to make sure you have what it takes to care for her.”
Bob nodded. “I already have children. I know how to take care of a baby.”
She studied him for a moment, then gave a small approving nod. “I believe you,” she said. She then handed him a slip of paper with her phone number. “Call me if you need anything,” she said.
Before he left, she even offered him a ride to the airport on the day of his departure.
Everything was going smoothly until Bob arrived at the boarding gate. As he handed over his ticket, the woman at the counter hesitated.
“Is this your child, sir?” she asked.
“Yes,” Bob said firmly.
“She seems very young,” the woman continued. “How old is she?”
“She’s four days old,” Bob replied. “Now, can I get through?”
The woman frowned. “I’m sorry, sir, but airline policy states that infants must be at least seven days old to travel. You’ll also need her birth certificate.”
Bob’s stomach sank. “Are you telling me I have to stay here for the next three days?”
“That’s correct, sir.”
“I don’t have anyone here. I have no place to stay!” Bob’s frustration was clear, but the woman simply turned her attention to the next passenger.
Feeling hopeless, Bob prepared to spend the night in the airport. Then he remembered Mrs. Sticks. He hesitated before dialing her number—he hated asking for help—but he had no choice.
“Hello,” he said when she answered. “I need your help.”
Without hesitation, Mrs. Sticks promised to return to the airport and take him and the baby to her home. Bob was astonished. “Compassion still thrives in this world,” he thought.
For more than a week, Bob and his daughter stayed at Mrs. Sticks’ home. But she didn’t just offer him shelter—she helped him adjust to caring for a newborn, comforted him in his grief, and even made arrangements for Mary’s body to be transported back home.
Bob couldn’t believe her kindness. He often called her an angel. Even his daughter seemed to love her—she would light up and giggle whenever she heard the woman’s voice.
During his stay, Bob learned more about Mrs. Sticks. She had four grown children, seven grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. They spent their time taking care of the baby, going on peaceful walks, and even visiting the grave of Mrs. Sticks’ late husband. The bond between them grew strong, and Bob knew he would miss her deeply when it was time to leave.
Finally, after receiving his daughter’s birth certificate, Bob was able to fly home. But his connection with Mrs. Sticks didn’t end there. He kept in touch with her and visited her every year with his daughter. She had changed his life in a way he could never forget.
Years later, when Mrs. Sticks passed away, a lawyer approached Bob at her funeral. She had left him part of her inheritance, just as she had for her own children.
In her honor, Bob used the money to start a charity—one that he co-founded with Mrs. Sticks’ children. Among them was her eldest daughter, Shirley, a woman with a kind heart and a beautiful spirit. Over time, Bob and Shirley grew close, and eventually, they married. She became a loving mother to his six children, completing the family he had always dreamed of.
What did we learn from this story?
Kindness leaves a lasting impression. Mrs. Sticks was there for Bob when he had no one else, and her generosity inspired him to continue spreading kindness through charity.
Giving back makes a difference. Bob, who grew up in foster care, adopted children to give them a better life. Later, he honored Mrs. Sticks’ legacy by helping even more children.
This story reminds us that even in the darkest moments, compassion and kindness can change lives forever.
