4 stories that will warm your heart

Unexpected grace Picture-perfect

“For the hundredth time, I typed an apology text to my brother, Eric. But before I could press send, shame overwhelmed me yet again. We’d had a falling out and I’d said horrible things. We hadn’t spoken in two years. I missed him desperately, but I worried he’d never forgive me.

“One afternoon, I was at a thrift store and I found a camera from the late 1970s—just like the one we owned when we were kids. Feeling nostalgic, I bought it and discovered there was old film inside. Curious, I had the film developed and my heart nearly stopped when the photos came in. They were of 10-year-old me and my 12-year-old brother, arm in arm and smiling. In tears, I dialed Eric’s number. As soon as he answered, I blurted, ‘Eric, it’s Jess. I love you—I’ve got a miracle to share with you!’ He said softly, ‘Hearing your voice is miracle enough for me.” —Jess Allen, 51, Linden, NJ

Country wisdom Love on loan

“While I’d explained many times that an ATM card was safer and easier, my 80-year-old mother insisted on carrying cash. ‘It’s always good to have an emergency fund,’ she’d say.

“One morning, as Mom and I were in line at the grocery store, a woman checking out in front of us came up a few dollars short and began frantically rummaging through her basket, trying to put items back. Without missing a beat, Mom handed her a $10 bill. Shocked, the woman hugged her and paid the cashier. I watched in awe.

“Then as we drove out of the parking lot, we saw a man with a sign saying he was hungry. Mom asked me to pull over and she shoved $5 in my hand.

As I gave it to him, his face lit up… and so did my heart. ‘An emergency fund isn’t just for my emergencies,’ Mom said with a grin. I thought of all the times I could’ve helped someone in need but didn’t have cash. Smiling, I replied, ‘I need to stop at the ATM.’”

—Sue Porrazzo, 53, Gary, IN

Angel among us Having a ball

“I’ll never forget the day my sweet Georgie came into my life. I’d gone to a pet shelter with a friend, not intending to bring home a pup of my own—I didn’t really even like dogs. But when I saw Georgie’s fluffy face wrestling with a blue squeaky ball that was almost as big as he was, my heart had melted right then and there.

“For 14 years, Georgie was my best friend and my constant companion. I rarely went anywhere without him by my side, and he rarely went anywhere without his favorite ball. The day my Georgie passed away from old age, it felt like a gaping hole had been cut into my heart. And I wasn’t sure anyone or anything could ever fill it again.

“It was nearly dusk when I laid him to rest in my backyard flower garden. The loss overwhelmed me as I placed his blue rubber ball next to his small stone marker. Tears welled in my eyes as I thought of his joy when we played ball together. I’d never see his happy wagging tail again. ‘I miss you, sweet Georgie,’ I sobbed.

“Just as I was heading back to the house, a soft squeaking sound made me turn around.

To my amazement, the ball rolled off the marker and across the grass, stopping at my feet, exactly where he’d drop it whenever we played fetch. In awe, I laughed through my tears and felt a burst of familiar joy filling my heart, then I tossed the ball one last time.” —Angie Britt, 55, Webster, NY

Inner strength Queen for a day

“I’ll admit, I envy my neighbor, Julie. Not only is she extremely nice and a good mom, she’s also stunning. She’s around my age but has the perfect figure and her hair and makeup always look flawless. I, on the other hand, am thick around the middle, disheveled and look perpetually tired.

“One afternoon, Julie had asked if I’d watch her 6-year-old daughter, Bailey, while she went to a doctor’s appointment. Bailey was a bundle of energy, so it didn’t surprise me when she insisted we play dress-up. ‘I’ll be a princess and you can be the queen since you’re so pretty and have blue eyes the color of these,” she said, pointing to the small sapphire-colored jewels in the plastic tiara she carefully placed on my head. She thinks I’m pretty? I marveled.

“As we laughed and played, I began to see myself a little differently every time I looked in the mirror. My eyes were lit with joy, my cheeks rosy and I felt…beautiful. That evening, I walked home with more confidence in my step—and a tiara on my head.” —Tina Jo, 45, Fort Collins, CO