A kind policeman comes to the aid of an old grandmother struggling to feed her hungry grandkids and fills her cart with groceries. Two years later, he receives a visit from her lawyer, oblivious to what awaits him.
“Oh, what is the government doing? How are we going to feed our children? Why is everything so expensive?” Gladys sighed helplessly, checking the price of the canned tuna.
Her grandkids were back home, waiting for her to return and make them a delicious dinner, but she was at a loss for what to put in her cart after bread and potatoes.
Gladys, 88, was a grandma to two adorable children she’d been raising alone after their parents died. Her life revolved around those children, and she would go to any lengths to see them happy. But that day at the grocery, she felt helpless.
With a heavy heart, she rolled her cart to the cashier’s counter, knowing she’d be making potato salad and toast for dinner again. With the rising inflation and increased prices of groceries, Gladys struggled to feed her grandchildren…
“Ma’am, can you please hurry up? At that rate, you’ll take forever to pay for your stuff!” the cashier said impatiently to Gladys, who only had coins to pay her bill.
“Just a minute, darling,” Gladys replied, trying to count the coins quickly despite her shaking hands. “You see, I have Parkinson’s. These things come with age…Here you go,” she said, setting the coin pile on the counter.
“Ma’am, that’s two dollars less,” complained the cashier, quickly counting the coins.
“Oh, is it? But I – I just counted…”
“How about you move to the back of the line and count again? And yes, please come back only if you can afford to pay for your stuff.”
Gladys felt eyes around her judging her and moved to the back of the queue without saying anything. While waiting for her turn, she began counting the coins again.
Meanwhile, Officer Nolan, who had stopped by the grocery, saw what happened to Gladys. He felt terrible for the poor woman and wanted to help her, so he quietly filled a cart with groceries and joined the line behind Gladys.
When Gladys’ turn came, Officer Nolan transferred the groceries to her cart and told the cashier he would cover the bill.
Not every accidental encounter is by chance. Some are planned by God to lead you to beautiful beginnings.
“But young man,” Gladys said. “This is too much! I— I can’t take this! Oh dear, this feels so wrong…”
“Ma’am,” said Officer Nolan with a smile. “Please relax. I want to do this for you and your grandchildren. I’m sorry for eavesdropping on your little conversation back in the aisle when you were examining the tuna can…”
“Oh darling,” Gladys said, embarrassed. “Please, I—I can’t take this…”
“You certainly can, ma’am. I’m only doing it for myself. You see, God helps me every day, and I want to share this with those around me, so don’t feel guilty about it. I’m happy to help you.”
“Angel…” Gladys said in tears. “You’re an angel. I— I don’t have money to pay you back, son, but how about you join us for dinner? My grandkids would love to meet you. Please, I insist.”
“It would be a pleasure, ma’am,” Officer Nolan said. “Would 7 p.m. be a good time?”
“Perfect! I’ll be waiting for you! And yes, please call me Gladys,” Gladys added as she thanked Officer Nolan again and exited the store after giving him her address.
That evening, Officer Nolan arrived on time, and he was all praises for the dinner Gladys had made—spaghetti, meatballs, and a delicious chocolate cake for dessert.
“I’ve not had anything so good in a long time!” he said. “This was delicious!”
Gladys’ heart filled with joy that day as she saw her grandchildren smiling and playing with Officer Nolan.
“This was one of the best dinners I’ve ever had, Gladys,” he said before leaving. “And I genuinely mean it. My son was stillborn, and my wife died while giving birth. I lost everything in an instant, but today I feel loved and complete. Thank you very much. Believe me, this means a lot to me.”
“Come over whenever you want, son,” said Gladys. “We loved having you too.”
And well, Officer Nolan did that. He couldn’t resist visiting Gladys and her grandchildren on weekends. It almost became a tradition for them to spend weekends together, eat good food, and share a hearty laugh until Gladys’ health began to fail her two years later.
Nobody had guessed her complaints of feeling tired all the time would lead to a terminal illness and take her away.
“You must care for them when I’m no longer around, honey. That’s all I want…” Gladys had asked Officer Nolan the night before she left for her heavenly abode. She wanted him to be there for her grandkids, and Officer Nolan fulfilled her dying wish.
As he stood in front of the fresh mound of Earth beneath which Gladys lay, Officer Nolan said, “Macy and John are now my responsibility, Gladys. I will do anything to ensure they have a loving home…”
Suddenly, a voice behind him said, “And that’s why she wanted me to see you in case she wasn’t there for her grandchildren.”
Officer Nolan turned to see an older man in a suit standing behind him.
“You can call me Mr. Morrison,” the man said, extending his hand for a handshake. “I’m Gladys’ lawyer, and I believe you should sit down for what I’m about to tell you, young man.”
“This is unbelievable! Gladys’ husband left $2 million to her grandchildren?! Why was Gladys struggling then? I— I don’t understand, Mr. Morrison!”
Mr. Morrison took out an envelope and gave it to Officer Nolan. “You’ll find the answers to your questions here. Please excuse me now. I have to be somewhere.”
Officer Nolan found a letter inside the envelope. He opened it to read it, and by the time he finished, tears were flowing down his cheeks like a waterfall.
“I don’t know what I should call you. You came as an angel in our lives and changed our lives forever. Thank you for everything you did for me and my grandchildren, officer.
As I write this letter today, a part of me feels relieved that my grandchildren won’t miss out on a loving home when I’m gone. They won’t grow up without love because I know you’ll be there for them.
My late ex-husband had left my grandchildren his inheritance, but they would receive it only if I was not their carer. But how could I abandon my little ducklings? They were so small when their parents died, officer. So I looked after them on my own.
Now that I don’t think I have much time left, I am writing this to let you know that I entrust you with the care of my children. My house shall be yours, too, after my demise. Please accept it with gratitude. Thank you for being there for us.
“You will regret this, Gladys! You were supposed to spend more time with us making happy memories!” Officer Nolan sobbed, his fists clenched over the letter. “But I promise you… I promise to raise your grandkids in such a way that you will be proud of me and regret leaving us so soon… Oh, I miss you…”
And Officer Nolan kept his promise. He adopted Galdys’ grandchildren and became a loving father to them.