Author: spnews.2024

When an Idaho mother left two of her children in their grandmother’s care, no one anticipated anything going wrong. Yet, upon her return, she had to rush to the hospital after losing one child and finding the other in critical condition.

On October 7, 2022, tragedy struck Samantha Jensen and her family when she left her two young children with their grandmother. Before the life-changing event occurred, Samantha’s mother took the last photo of her granddaughter unaware that disaster was about to strike.

Over Samantha’s TikTok post and during a recent interview, the mother from Oldtown, Idaho, explained how she lost her daughter, three-year-old Scarlett, in a matter of minutes. On the day of the incident, she had been out of town attending a wedding, leaving her mother in charge of her children, including two-year-old Henry.

That afternoon, the children’s grandmother, Jamie took them out for ice cream and a walk. Upon returning, they used the back driveway, where Scarlett asked to leave the stroller to pick flowers.

The last photo of Scarlett was taken at that moment, as she walked along the private driveway. Without warning, a driver experiencing a “mental breakdown” veered off course in a Chevy Tahoe and headed down the driveway, striking Jamie and the children.

Samantha recounted how her mother frantically waved her arms and screamed for the driver to stop. She even tried to pull the children to safety, but the car was moving too fast. Scarlett died almost instantly, while Jamie and Henry were left critically injured.

The driver fled the scene on foot but was apprehended a few miles away. Jamie and Henry remained lying injured until a neighbor heard Jamie calling for help and came outside.

When Samantha’s plane landed, police officers met with her and took her to the hospital. She was rushed there because her son’s condition was uncertain. Fortunately, she found Henry fighting for his life after being airlifted to a children’s hospital.

The little boy suffered a broken jaw and collarbone, along with other injuries. Jamie, though less severely hurt, sustained many broken bones but was eventually released from the hospital. Henry spent a week in the pediatric ICU before becoming stable enough to return home, where he remained in a full-body brace for ten weeks.

It took months for both Jamie and Henry to recover physically. On the anniversary of the child’s death, Samantha shared two images of herself sitting by Henry’s hospital bed while he wore a neck brace.

The parent turned to her faith, expressing gratitude to God for the miracles that allowed her more time with Henry. The mother was happy and thankful for the opportunity to still have time with her son.

On that fateful day, Samantha’s mother captured a significant image of Scarlett while she walked beside her brother. Samantha later shared this heartbreaking image on TikTok on October 13, 2024.

The bittersweet picture shows the children walking down a dirt road with their backs to the camera. The parent revealed that Jamie took the photo at 4:47 p.m., just minutes before Scarlett’s time of death at 4:52 p.m.

Still mourning, Samantha confessed, “My mom didn’t know she was capturing the last moments of her life.” In the post, set to Alek Olsen’s “Someday I’ll Get It,” Scarlett’s mother admitted how difficult it was to look at the image, adding, “…Just knowing what comes next breaks my heart.”

The post was captioned, “Life isn’t fair and I really miss my baby tonight.” It actually took weeks before she realized her mother had captured Scarlett’s final moments.

Jamie lost her phone during the hit-and-run incident, and it took some time to recover it. When they eventually found the phone, Samantha browsed the photos and discovered the memorable image.

After checking the timestamp, she realized it was taken just five minutes before Scarlett’s death. Though the tragedy occurred over two years ago, Samantha posted another video of Scarlett walking just a week before sharing the last image of her daughter.

Scarlett, born on New Year’s Day in 2019, was Samantha and her husband’s “long-awaited first child.” Besides Henry, the couple shares two more children: Molly, two, and Rosie, one.

Samantha fondly remembered how silly and sweet her first child had been. Scarlett loved unicorns, horses, and the movies “Spirit” and “Frozen.” She also cherished her role as a big sister, enjoyed going to the park and preschool, and loved playing hide-and-seek and soccer.

The day after her death, Scarlett was supposed to attend a soccer game and had been excited to run around and play with her friends. She found joy in her siblings and loved helping to care for Molly, alongside her best friend, Henry.

Two days after the anniversary of Scarlett’s death, Samantha took to Facebook to honor her daughter’s memory. She shared a post written three days after Scarlett passed, along with many photos of the little girl. In the post, she revealed that Scarlett’s middle name was “June.”

At that time, Samantha expressed, “The pain we feel from losing you is indescribable. I feel it deep in my bones and in every inch of my body.” Her emotional tribute continued, highlighting her late daughter’s personality and the love she once brought into their lives.

Samantha promised to keep Scarlett’s memory alive by continuing to talk about her, ensuring Henry and Molly would always remember their older sister.

The man responsible for Scarlett’s death is currently serving a 10-year prison sentence for vehicular homicide, with two years subtracted for time served during court proceedings.

Zach Galifianakis has become a household name and one of the most beloved comedians in Hollywood. However, he had much humbler beginnings and lived a much different life to the one he currently does. Still, one woman has been a constant in his world.

Galifianakis moved to LA when he was beginning his career in comedy. He had plans to be a star, but as with all other stars, he had to start small and work his way up to his big break. The comedian did this by working odd jobs and doing stand-up gigs.

The gigs he frequented were in the back of burger joints where he could show off his talent before landing any significant roles, such as that of Alan, his character in the “The Hangover” franchise. While meeting Hollywood directors was important, Galifianakis made other important friends along the way.

While his gigs changed his life for the better, the woman that kept him company during those years was someone he met in the most unlikely place. It turned out that the pair would become a formidable team in years to come.

Meeting Mimi

It was 1994 when Galifianakis met a woman that would significantly impact his life in the years to come. When she met Galifianakis, Marie “Mimi” Haist was volunteering in a laundromat, surviving off tips left by customers.

The “The Hangover” star frequented Fox Laundry — where Haist was volunteering — because he lived right around the corner from the laundromat. While their first meeting was over 20 years ago, the pair maintained a strong bond.

Although Haist had been married earlier in her life, when she met Galifianakis, she had been alone for quite some time. After she got divorced, she lived on the streets and began looking for a place to work or sleep. She found both of those things in one place.

Haist began working at the laundromat, where her boss allowed her to live for almost 20 years. Haist revealed that she would sleep between the washing and drying machines so customers couldn’t see her.

After Haist and Galifianakis met and struck up a friendship, Galifianakis found out that Haist was living at the laundromat and told her that he would find her a place to live comfortably. Although Galifianakis was not yet successful, he found and paid for an apartment for Haist.

Later, Galifianakis introduced Haist to Reneé Zellwegger, who helped Haist furnish her apartment. While Haist was unaware of who Galifianakis was, she immediately recognized Zellwegger and was excited to meet her.

While Galifianakis has made an impact on Haist’s life, she had somebody else to thank as well. Haist extended her gratitude toward Zellwegger and Galifianakis for all they had done by saying:

“I really appreciate Zach and Renée for [everything they’ve done], I have a place to live now and my own bed. I now get my social security, so it helps me pay [for food] and my phone bill.”

Red Carpet Treatment

Meeting Haist impacted Galifianakis, but Haist’s life was forever changed after she met the budding star. By the time Galifianakis had his breakthrough role in “The Hangover” in 2009, the pair had built a strong bond.

This bond brought new opportunities for Haist to experience the finer things in life. Whenever Galifianakis had a film premiere or other Hollywood events that he didn’t have anyone to take to, he would ask Haist to be his date.

Even though Galifianakis has been in the public eye for such a long time, he still has not become used to Hollywood events, but says Haist handles them well. Galifianakis said that he enjoyed taking Haist on the red carpet, sharing:

“I like to see her in that atmosphere. Somehow she fits in in a very strange way.”

Haist explained her thoughts on the red carpet treatment she has experienced since meeting Galifianakis, saying, “If he’s in town, he takes me … I dress up nice, and a friend helps me with my makeup. It’s fun, not something I’ve ever dreamed I’d experience. The limo takes me home afterward.”

While it is fun for Haist to be at the events, she is not the only one who is happy to be there. Galifianakis said that although he doesn’t enjoy red carpets, Haist makes it better, saying that he feels better when Haist is with him on the red carpet.

Being in the glow of Galifianakis’ spotlight cast some of the glow onto Haist as well. In 2016, a documentary was made about Haist called “Queen Mimi.” Yaniv Rokah, director of the documentary, said that he was intrigued by Haist’s story and wanted to make a movie about it.

He spoke about the process of meeting Haist and deciding to find out what her life was about by saying:

“I wanted to know who is she, why is she there, what is the story?”

Once the film premiered, Haist became recognizable to the customers in the laundromat, who told her that she was a star. However, Haist went about her business as usual, with only a few breaks from the ordinary when she was on the red carpet with Galifianakis.

Even after becoming a well-known name in and around Hollywood, she still cleaned the dryers at the laundromat because she believed that nobody else could do the job as well as she could.

Despite having a difficult life, Haist never considered herself to be homeless. She said that she never allowed herself to become mixed up with the wrong crowd and didn’t allow herself to become depressed about anything.

Haist revealed that when her friends came to see her, they would tell her that she was famous, although she did not think this was the case and she was just living her life. Unfortunately, Haist passed away in late 2021, but her memory lives on in her documentary.

In his final days, Mr. Lewis saw through the empty gestures of his family. But no one expected the twist when a young girl’s simple kindness turned everything upside down at the reading of his will.

Mr. Lewis leaned back in his favorite leather chair, the one that had supported him through countless late-night work sessions, and reflected on the life he had built. At 83, he had seen it all.

He had started from nothing, working tirelessly to build his business, and by the time he was in his 40s, he had made a name for himself in the world. But it wasn’t just wealth that defined him.

Mr. Lewis had spent his life doing good, raising a family of eight kids, four biological and four adopted, and opening his home to foster children who had nowhere else to go.

“You always have room for one more, don’t you?” his late wife used to say with a soft smile, watching as he welcomed each new child into their lives.

Mr. Lewis never hesitated. He believed in giving back, whether through charity donations or by being a father to those who needed one.

But as the years went by and the children grew up, things changed. His once-bustling home became eerily quiet. His children, both biological and adopted, rarely visited unless they needed something. The conversations always started the same way.

“Dad, you know how tough it is out there,” Richard, his eldest son, would say, barely making eye contact. “I just need a little help getting through this month.”

Olivia, his daughter, wasn’t much different. “Dad, the kids’ school fees are outrageous. Could you just—” she’d start, and before she even finished, he’d be reaching for his checkbook.

The grandchildren were no better. They’d come around only during the holidays, eyeing him like he was a walking bank vault. He loved his grandchildren, but he couldn’t ignore the uncomfortable truth; they were being raised to see him as a means to an end, not a person.

When Mr. Lewis turned 83, his doctor delivered a heartbreaking diagnosis. “You’ve got about a month, Mr. Lewis. I’m sorry.”

The words echoed in his ears, but he faced them with the quiet dignity he had shown all his life. That evening, he called his children and grandchildren to share the news.

Within hours, they flocked to his mansion from all over the world. Richard showed up with his wife and three kids, pretending to be the devoted son.

Olivia came next, with her two daughters in tow, plastering on a smile that looked more like a grimace. Even his adopted children, scattered across the globe, suddenly found time to drop everything and come back home.

“Dad, don’t worry, we’re here now,” Richard said, patting his father’s shoulder with forced affection.

“We’ve got you, Grandpa,” chimed in one of the grandchildren, Willow, a teen who spent most of her time glued to her phone.

For weeks, they hovered around him, showering him with fake smiles and hollow words. “Can I get you anything, Dad?” Olivia would ask, handing him a cup of tea she didn’t bother to make herself.

“You should rest, Grandpa. We’ll take care of everything,” Richard’s youngest son, Derek, added. The boy’s eyes lingered on the ornate paintings lining the walls as if already mentally cataloging his grandfather’s inheritance.

Mr. Lewis watched it all unfold with a heavy heart. He could see through the charade. They weren’t there out of love but for the money. They tripped over each other, trying to win his favor and secure their slice of the pie before he was gone. But Mr. Lewis was no fool.

When he finally passed away, quietly in his sleep, the children and grandchildren wasted no time turning their attention to what really mattered to them: the inheritance. The day of the will reading was no different. They packed into the lawyer’s office, restless and eager, their feigned sorrow long forgotten.

“I bet he left the most to me,” Olivia muttered under her breath, her voice dripping with entitlement.

“You’re delusional,” Richard shot back, smirking. “Dad always said I had the best business sense.”

They continued their petty bickering until the door swung open. Mr. Alaric, the family lawyer, stepped inside, and beside him was a little girl, no older than thirteen. She walked in quietly, her presence unexpected and confusing to the room of bickering heirs.

“Who’s the kid?” Richard blurted, his smug grin fading.

“This,” Mr. Alaric began, his voice carrying a hint of something none of them could quite place, “is Harper. She’s here for the reading of the will.”

Confusion swept through the room as the heirs exchanged puzzled looks. For the first time, their confident, greedy smiles began to falter. Harper, a quiet figure amid a storm of greed, stood there, unknowingly holding the key to a twist none of them saw coming.

The room was filled with uneasy silence as Mr. Alaric shuffled his papers, the sound of crisp pages echoing in the tense atmosphere. Mr. Lewis’ children and grandchildren sat impatiently, their eyes darting from each other to the little girl standing quietly beside the lawyer.

Harper, with her wide eyes and innocent demeanor, looked so out of place among the grown-up vultures circling what they believed to be their prey.

Mr. Alaric cleared his throat, breaking the silence. “None of you know this, but Harper is here today because Mr. Lewis made her the sole heir to his entire fortune.”

The room erupted. Richard shot up from his seat, his face flushed with anger. “What the hell are you talking about? She’s just a kid! Dad wouldn’t do that.”

Olivia’s voice was sharp, almost hysterical. “This is ridiculous! We’re his children, his blood! This is a scam, right? Tell me this is some kind of sick joke!”

Mr. Alaric held up his hand, signaling for quiet. “I understand this is shocking, but Mr. Lewis’ decision was made with a full understanding of what he wanted. He left behind a letter explaining everything. I’ll read it now.”

The lawyer unfolded the letter, and the room fell silent, though tension still hung thick in the air.

Dear family, Mr. Alaric began, his voice steady. I know you’re probably furious, confused, and maybe even hurt by my decision. But I need you to hear me out. Over the past few years, Harper has been the light in my life. She’s the little girl who lived next door with her parents. She noticed, long before anyone else did, that I wasn’t doing well. She’d see me struggling to get the mail or just sitting alone on the porch.

Harper shifted uncomfortably as all eyes turned toward her, but she stayed silent, her hands clasped tightly.

Harper visited me every day. She didn’t want anything from me: no money, no favors. She’d just come over, tell me jokes, play cards, or read me stories. She made me feel less alone. Harper has been my real family these past few years when all of you were busy with your own lives.

Richard scoffed, shaking his head. “We were busy making our lives work, Dad. You should’ve told us you were lonely.”

But Mr. Alaric read on, unfazed by the interruptions. Harper has her battles to fight. A few months ago, she was diagnosed with a terminal illness — one that no child should ever have to face. I’ve seen how she lights up when she talks about her dreams, the places she wants to see, and the things she wants to do. She deserves to have the life she dreams of, no matter how short it might be.

The room was still, the weight of Mr. Lewis’ words sinking in. Even Olivia, who had been fuming moments ago, sat quietly, tears welling up in her eyes.

By the time you read this, I’ll be gone, the letter continued. And Harper might only have a year or two left. I’ve made sure she has everything she needs to live those years to the fullest. And in my heart, I know it’s the right thing to do.

So, instead of fighting over what I left behind, I hope you can find it in yourselves to support this little girl who did what none of you did: she cared.

Mr. Alaric folded the letter, and for a moment, the room was filled with the heavy sound of stunned silence. No one knew what to say. Richard and Olivia looked at each other, and the reality of their father’s words hit them harder than any inheritance dispute ever could.

Harper stepped forward, her voice small but clear. “Mr. Lewis was my friend. He made me laugh when I didn’t feel like smiling. I never wanted his money, just his stories and his time.”

Richard cleared his throat, trying to mask his embarrassment. “Kid… I mean, Harper, I—” He struggled to find the words. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”

Harper just nodded, her gaze unwavering. “I’m going to use the money to do everything I always wanted with my parents. We’re going to travel, eat ice cream for breakfast, and spend time together. And when I’m gone, the rest will go to kids like me who are fighting to have just a little more time.”

Tears were streaming down Olivia’s cheeks now. “You’re… so brave, Harper. I hope you get to do everything you want.”

In the following months, Harper did exactly what she promised. She lived every day to the fullest, spending every moment she could with her parents, visiting places she’d only dreamed of, and making memories that would last far beyond her years.

She saw the Eiffel Tower, dipped her toes in the ocean, and laughed more than she ever had. And when the time came, she passed away peacefully, surrounded by those she loved.

As per her wishes, the remaining fortune was donated to charities that supported children battling cancer, funded research, and provided support to families in need.

Harper’s legacy became a beacon of hope for countless others, a reminder of the power of kindness and the impact of a single, genuine connection.

Mr. Lewis’ children, forever changed by Harper’s courage and their father’s final lesson, found themselves inspired to live differently. The money they had once been desperate for was no longer what mattered. In the end, it was Harper’s unwavering spirit that taught them the true value of life and love.

Found this story heartwarming? Here’s another one you might like: When my siblings and I arrived at our late grandfather’s cabin, we thought we were competing for his fortune. Little did we know, Grandpa Brooks had one last trick up his sleeve that would test our bonds in ways we never imagined.

A grieving mother who visits her son’s grave almost every day is startled when she discovers baby toys there and learns a shocking truth about her son’s life.

“A MUSICIAN? Have you lost your mind, Leonard?” Kenneth snapped when his son declared his desire to pursue a career in music.

Leonard was 18 years old, fresh out of high school, and eager to follow his passion. However, his parents wanted him to become a lawyer, which Leonard didn’t want to be.

He’d taken a gap year after high school because he didn’t want to rush into career decisions, and he discovered that music was something he really wanted to pursue. However, when he declared his desire to become a musician, his parents were anything but impressed.

“But what’s wrong with becoming a musician, dad?” Leonard grumbled. “There are so many people who followed their passion and are very successful now. I want to be one of them! I don’t want to do a boring desk job!”

“Look, son,” his father continued. “I have made my decision quite clear, and I don’t want to repeat myself. You’re going to become a successful lawyer just like your grandfather and me. Is that clear?”

“There’s no way, Dad!” Leonard shot back. “You cannot force me to do something I don’t want to do! I want to pursue my passion, music, and that’s what I’ll do!”

“But honey,” his mother intervened. “Your father is not pressuring you. He just doesn’t want you to waste your time over something that’s not even certain. You see, so many people have big dreams, but only a handful achieves them. He’s just worried about you and doesn’t want you to suffer.”

“Oh really, mom?” Leonard snapped. “If he really cares about me, he should support me!”

“Calm down, Leonard. Don’t forget you are talking to your parents!” his father warned him. “If you want to make your own decisions, why don’t you pay for your university? If you stay with us, you have to listen to us and obey us. Otherwise, get lost!”

“Fine, dad!” Leonard said. “I’ll prove to you guys one day how wrong you are. I don’t want to be your obligation anyway. I’ll make money as well as a name for myself!” Leonard said and walked away to his room.

Leonard’s mother, Lily, advised him to calm down and talk things out sometime later, but he was furious. He packed his bags that evening and walked out of the house, vowing never to return.

Lily kept requesting him not to do that. She even tried convincing Kenneth to stop their son, but the man was so adamant about his decisions that he didn’t budge at all. At the same time, even Leonard didn’t care. He was hell-bent on proving his parents wrong, so he left the house that evening, severing all ties with them.

Three years passed without any contact between Leonard and his parents. Lily was frequently concerned about her son, so she tried calling him a few times, but all of her calls went to voicemail, and Leonard never returned them.

However, while Lily was preparing breakfast one morning, her phone rang. She quickly wiped her hands and dashed to answer it, but what she heard on the other end of the line made her feel disoriented.

It was a phone call informing her that Leonard, her son, had died. The young boy was involved in a motorcycle accident and died before reaching the hospital.

Lily burst into tears, unable to accept the death of her beloved son. “No way! That can’t happen! Nothing has happened to my son!” She sobbed loudly enough to summon Kenneth, who was taken aback when he saw Lily on their living room floor, clutching her phone and crying her heart out.

“Honey, what’s the matter?” Kenneth asked worriedly. But Lily couldn’t respond.

Kenneth snatched the phone from Lily’s grasp at that point. “Hello? “Who is this?”

“This is Officer Duncan calling, sir. We regret to inform you that your son, Leonard Williams, died this morning in a motorcycle accident. We would appreciate it if you could come as soon as possible to confirm the boy’s body is Leonard’s. We found your phone number in his phone and called you.”

Kenneth couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “Are you sure, officer, that’s our Leonard? This…this can’t be……”

“Look, sir. We found this contact on the victim’s phone. This number was listed as “mom.” Either way, you should come and confirm the body. Thank you,” Officer Duncan said before hanging up.

Kenneth and Lily were heartbroken. They rushed from Chicago to Milwaukee, where the officer had said Leonard’s body was, hoping that everything they had heard was a mistake or a bad dream that would pass quickly.

However, when they arrived at the morgue, they couldn’t believe the lifeless boy, the pale-skinned body, was their son. Lily sobbed on the floor, and Kenneth had a stream of tears streaming down his cheeks.

Kenneth and Lily organized their son’s funeral the next day in Milwaukee — too heartbroken to bring him to their hometown, the place which had marked the beginning of their estranged relationship — and bid Leonard farewell. But the loss of their son strained their relationship.

Kenneth became extremely quiet, drinking heavily and cursing himself deep down for being a terrible father, as Lily continued to blame him for kicking their son out of their home.

In the days that followed, Kenneth never bothered to accompany Lily to Leonard’s grave. He felt guilty about confronting his son, and he could never muster enough courage to face him. Lily, on the other hand, drove two hours to visit her son’s grave every day.

One day, she had just arrived at Leonard’s grave when she noticed a small teddy bear near it. She removed it and set it aside, thinking someone must have left it there by mistake, replaced it with the bouquet she’d bought, and sat there talking to her son for a while before leaving.

However, when she returned to the grave the next day, the teddy bear was there again, and this time there were several toys with it.

She was perplexed at this point as to whether they had been left there on purpose. She asked the caretaker if he knew anything, but he said he didn’t.

Lily left the cemetery that day, wondering who could be bringing toys to her son’s grave, but when she returned the next day, all her doubts vanished.

Lily had just arrived at the cemetery that day when she noticed a young woman standing in front of Leonard’s grave, holding a baby in her arms. The woman’s had eyes were closed like she was praying. After a few minutes, she placed a toy near Leonard’s grave and walked away.

Lily couldn’t contain her curiosity and decided to approach her. “Excuse me,” she said. “Do you know my son? I just noticed you placed a toy near his grave. Are you the one who has been doing it for days?”

The woman looked a little stunned. “Are you Lily Williams? Leonard’s mother?”

“You know me?” Lily’s eyes widened.

“Of course, Mrs. Williams,” the woman said, her eyes welling up. Lily sensed a strange fear and worry in her tears. “I’m Carrie. I’m Leonard’s girlfriend. And this baby is Henry, our son.”

Lily couldn’t believe her eyes when she looked at the child. The baby was an exact replica of her late son! “But Leonard, he never….”

“I never imagined we’d meet like this, Mrs. Williams,” Carrie stated. “Leonard missed you terribly. He was hoping to reconnect with you, but…” The woman almost burst into tears.

Lily consoled her, then the two walked to a nearby park. As Carrie sat there wiping her tears, she revealed the whole story to Lily.

It turned out Leonard met Carrie when he came to her town to pursue his dreams. However, due to lack of funds, he began working as a part-time waiter at a diner to support himself, and it was there that he met Carrie.

The two moved in together, and more than a year later, Carrie got pregnant. Leonard was overjoyed! He wrote a song dedicated to his future child, which was not a big hit but received a lot of attention in some US states.

That inspired him to take the next step in his career, and he began knocking on the doors of various producers. Some even agreed to collaborate with him. However, tragedy struck Carrie and Leonard when the man was involved in an accident.

That very morning, Carrie was rushed to the hospital due to labor pains. A neighbor had called the ambulance for her, and she had no idea Leonard was involved in an accident. She was unconscious for a few days after the delivery, and when she woke up, she learned Leonard had passed away.

The woman couldn’t stop crying and began visiting his grave almost daily. The toys she’d been leaving were the ones Leonard had purchased for their child.

“I didn’t know what to do when I found out he had died,” Carrie went on. “The cops….they tracked my address through Leonard’s driver’s license, and that’s how I found out he was no longer alive. They also said that you and Mr. Williams had planned the funeral in Milwaukee. I contacted the cemeteries one by one and discovered Leonard was here.

“I wanted to meet you one day but didn’t know how to. Leonard loved you, and he promised that when he became famous, he’d call you and his father here, and all of us would live happily as a family. But sadly, that did not happen.”

Lily couldn’t contain her tears when she heard that. She’d already lost her son, and she didn’t want to lose her grandson as well. So she invited Carrie and Henry to move in with her, asserting that they were as much a part of her family as Leonard. The young lady was hesitant at first but eventually agreed when Lily insisted.

Thanks to that fateful day, Lily and Kenneth’s lives changed for the better. Kenneth became a loving grandfather to Henry, and seeing him care for the little boy caused Lily to become more patient and understanding with him, which improved their relationship.

Carrie considers herself fortunate to have met Lily and Kenneth, who are wonderful grandparents to Henry. They also helped her get Leonard’s song published by a well-known label.

Carrie says Henry, who is 5 years old now, is incredibly proud of his father’s career as a musician and aspires to follow in his father’s footsteps, and Lily and Kenneth are fully supportive of Henry.

What can we learn from this story?

• Anger and impatience only complicate things. Instead of leaving his parents’ house in a rage, Leonard could have tried another way to convince his parents of his passion. Kenneth, too, should not have been so harsh with his son. Anger and arguments just strained Kenneth and Leonard’s relationship to the point that the boy severed ties with his father and Lily.
• It’s not always easy, but having a big heart and acceptance sometimes makes things right. Lily and Kenneth’s relationship had improved since Lily welcomed Carrie and Henry into her home and accepted them as her family.

If you enjoyed this story, you might like this one about an old widow who pays for a poor man’s groceries and notices he’s a carbon copy of her late spouse.

My husband was shocked and hurt when I asked for a divorce after thirty years of marriage. He felt he had always been a good husband. But I had a reason he didn’t even guessed about.

Isn’t it funny how people’s perceptions of the very same event can be so different? Even something like a marriage. My husband Zack thought he was a happily married man, I knew I was unhappy.

Our two realities finally clashed when I asked him for a divorce on our thirtieth wedding anniversary, two weeks after our third and youngest child left home.

He stood there staring at me in absolute shock. “What?” he asked. “Who’s getting a divorce?”

“You,” I told him. “Or rather, I am.”

Zack sat down heavily, still staring. “You’re divorcing me?”

“Yes,” I repeated. “I’m divorcing you.”

“But why?” he cried, and I was surprised to see tears in his eyes. “I love you, Kelly, I always have, and I never cheated on you, not ever!”

“That’s true,” I said. “You never cheated and you never drank or gambled.”

One of the most important things in a relationship is to LISTEN to what the other person is really saying.

“But…Then why?” he asked angrily. “I did NOTHING and you’re divorcing me? Are you having an affair?”

“NO!” I cried. “I’m not! Do you want to know why I’m leaving you, Zack? I’ll tell you…” I walked right up to him and looked him in the eyes.

“I’m leaving you because you did NOTHING! When the children came and I was holding a full-time job and coming home to do the housework alone, you did NOTHING.

“When I was so ill I could barely get out of bed, you did NOTHING; when my father died and I was devastated by grief, you did NOTHING; when I went through menopause and had depression, you did NOTHING.

“When I was so sad that our two oldest children left home, you did NOTHING. You never brought me a flower just to say you loved me, you never stood up for me when your mother was so mean to me.

“That time I twisted my ankle and I could barely walk, I had to get out of bed at 6:00 am and fix breakfast — and you lay there snoring and did NOTHING. Nothing seems to be what you do best!”

“You never told me!” Zack cried with an injured look on his face.

“I told you every time I asked for your help,” I said. “Every time I snuggled up for a kiss and you were more interested in what was on TV. I told you when I begged for your love and attention, for romance.

“I told you five years ago when I asked you to go to couples therapy with me and you refused because there was NOTHING wrong and you were happy.”

“We can go now,” Zack said hopefully. “Set up the appointment and I’ll come!”

“Of course, now that you see me determined to leave,” I commented. “But you don’t actually care enough to go look for a therapist and set up the appointment yourself.”

“Please, Kelly,” Zack begged. “Please give me a chance to make you happy!”

I stared at him and a deep sadness welled up in my heart. I shook my head. “At any time in the last thirty years, I would have given anything to hear you say those words.

“Now I look at you and all I feel is sadness — and pity. You’ve never bothered to make me happy before Zack, and honestly, I’m not wasting one more day of my life on you.”

I moved out the next day and found myself a pretty little apartment in Venice Beach and started a new life. I sold my car and started cycling everywhere even to work.

My children were shocked, especially my oldest daughter Amy who told me her father was devastated and seeing a therapist for depression. I was sorry for him, but my own happiness was finally my priority.

I took up dancing, made new friends, threw out the dowdy old wardrobe that I’d bought to please Zack, and changed my hair. My children were stunned and said I looked twenty years younger.

I felt younger and pretty, and energetic, and hopeful. A year later, I met Sam, a sweet, considerate man who spoils me, lavishes care and attention on me, and wants to marry me.

I guess I’m still a bit nervous about taking the big step again, but we’ve set a date for the summer. I couldn’t have fallen for a nicer man, and I am finally learning what real love is all about.

As for Zack, I hear he is now dating a much younger woman who orders him around like a slave, has him hopping to her every whim, and spends his hard-earned money like water. I guess we all get what we deserve!

What can we learn from this story?

• What we do is just as important as what we don’t do. Zack didn’t cheat, but he also didn’t offer Kelly the love and support she needed.
• One of the most important things in a relationship is to LISTEN to what the other person is really saying and to consider their needs and wishes as important as your own — something Zack didn’t do until it was too late.