Angelina Gibson, 34, sat by her window, viewing the wet afternoon that wrecked her day. She sold flowers and eggs on the street daily, buying groceries for her four children with the meager earnings.
Three years ago, Angelina’s husband Mark died a month after their fourth son, Robin, was born. Illiterate, the poor woman struggled to get a good work. She lost her only paycheck that day due to severe rainfall.
Angelina peered out the window with sad eyes. She wanted bright weather, but it rained worse. She saw an older man covered in water standing at the end of the street.
“Ah, sad old dude. Why is he there?” She observed him, thinking, “He’s drenched.” He appeared weak and couldn’t walk far. He stood under a closed shop shutter, but heavy showers saturated him.
“Why are you staring at me?” She asked, covering up with a worn sweater.
Angelina felt for the old man. He seemed wealthy and well-dressed. “Why is he walking if he’s rich? Do all rich men not have cars?” she wondered. After losing her temper, Angelina grabbed an old umbrella and ran to the man.
“My house is nearby. Do you mind waiting there till it stops raining?” She offered the visitor a refuge.
The woman’s odd help confused the elder man. He smirked and walked with her, still confused by why she gave him temporary sanctuary.
“Um… Is this your home? The old man grinned. Hi, I’m Joe Tyler. Nice to meet you, Ms…?”
“Angelina Gibson!” she said, dusting a tire chair. “Please sit.”
Joe noticed Angelina’s four children sleeping on the floor throughout the house. “Why are your kids sleeping?”
They were famished after not eating lunch, Angelina told him. “I’m sure God will help me feed them well. But it must stop raining first.”
Joe was amazed by her confidence. He thought Angelina’s house was too small for a family of five and in poor condition. Their ancient TV was damaged and covered with cobwebs, and the furniture was ugly. Joe initially thought the woman was struggling with their living conditions.
Joe surprised Angelina by asking her to move in with him after quiet reflection. “What? I don’t understand Mr. Tyler. Did you ask me to move in with you? she questioned. Why would you want me to? What’s wrong? Why are you staring?”
She glanced at the old stranger and wondered if she had done something wrong by sheltering him. “Why are you looking at me like that?” she questioned, covering up with a worn sweater.
“I remember my 15-year-old daughter dying of TB. Since my wife died a year later, I’ve lived alone for 40 years,” Joe said.
Angelina smiled and regretted judging the elder man. Hearing him call her his daughter made her happy.
“My car broke down. I got stranded walking to the garage in the rain. But I guess God planned our meeting,” Joe joked. “Why don’t you bring your kids to my house?”
Angelina was shocked by the elder man’s offer. “Are you serious? Please tell me you’re kidding because nobody would urge a poor woman and her family to relocate into a big house.”
“I mean it.” Joe invited you and your kids to his place.
Astonished, Angelina. She reluctantly accepted the offer for her four children. She wished them good fortune, unlike her. She nodded tentatively.
“But I have two minor problems. You should agree to them,” Joe said, intriguing Angelina. “We’ll share a house with your kids. I’ll pay for their education, and you can care for me like my daughter.”
Angelina smiled, looking hopeful through her tears. She was overwhelmed when Joe asked her to be his daughter after growing up in an orphanage. After the older man suggested his second and most significant condition, her excitement waned.
“I need this house sold tomorrow as my next condition.”
“Sell this house?” “But why? Who would buy it? Look about… Messy and nasty.” Angelina said, “Unless they’re blind, nobody will buy it.”
“I know someone who needs this place.” Joe responded, “And I wasn’t done, my dear,” stirring Angelina. “Selling this residence for $1 is my request!”
“For $1? What?” Astonished, Angelina jumped.
“Yes, for $1. A three-person destitute family lives in an old trailer we found. You and her are mothers with two young children. Please offer her this house for $1. Your method of paying it forward.”
An older man’s words and sympathy affected Angelina. Happy tears, she agreed. At that moment, it stopped pouring and the sun shone on Angelina’s tiny home.
She and her children moved in with Joe the next day, stopping at the trailer he suggested before crossing the street.
She handed her house keys to the trailer-dwelling poor woman. “Take this…” She gave the impoverished mother the keys and added, “I want you to live in my house with your children.”
“What? Can I recognize you? Are you really giving me your house?” woman wept.
“Yes. Not for free. You must pay me. Just $1 gets you the house!”
She couldn’t believe her ears. She quickly paid Angelina $1 and grabbed her children and belongings to move into their new home. Angelina contacted her as the impoverished woman told her farewell. “Remember to pay it forward!” she exclaimed, driving away with her savior, Joe Tyler.
After that, Angelina never sold flowers or eggs on the street. She watched Joe while her kids attended good private schools. She cooked the tastiest dishes for the gentle older man, who cried with joy over his loving daughter and grandkids!
What can this story teach us?
Help others. It will return triumphantly. When she gave the older guy shelter from the weather, Angelina was poor but kind. Her kind deed earned her a loving father and a wonderful home.
Consider accepting help and repaying it when possible. Joe invited Angelina to live with him, but she hesitated. Later, she accepted his offer and sold her house for $1 to the trailer’s impoverished woman. The poor trailer dweller obtained better housing while Angelina and her kids found a nice home.
