“I am a single mom of four little girls (9, 5, 2, and 6 weeks old). Life has been hard since my ex left. My truck barely ran—flat tire, broken window, bad alternator belt. We only drove when we absolutely had to.
The other night we needed groceries, so we went to Winn Dixie. By the time we came out, it was late, pouring rain. I loaded my kids and bags, tried to start the truck… nothing. My battery was dead.
No phone. No family. No help.
For TWO hours, I asked over twenty people for a jump. Not one even said “no.” They just ignored me while my newborn screamed, my 5-year-old melted down, my 2-year-old cried she was hungry, and my oldest tried her best to comfort everyone.
I broke down sobbing, feeling like the worst mom in the world.
Then—a knock on the passenger window.
It was a 74-year-old man with a cane and a limp. He handed me food from the deli—chicken strips, biscuits, bottles of water—and said:
👉 “Feed those babies and yourself, young lady. I’ve got a tow truck on the way. My wife will be here shortly to take you home.”
And just like that—help arrived. His wife drove us home. The tow truck took my truck.
But it didn’t stop there.
The next morning, the man showed up at my house—with a mechanic. They fixed my battery, alternator, and even my window. When I asked what I owed, the mechanic smiled:
👉 “The older gentleman already paid for everything. He said the only payment he wants is for you to never give up—and to keep being an amazing mom.”
I’ve never cried so hard in my life.
This man, who didn’t know me, who owed me nothing, gave me hope when I was falling apart. He wouldn’t even take a hug.
I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to thank him, but I promise one day I’ll pay it forward.
Because kindness this pure deserves to live on.”
[Tawny Nelson]