4 stories that will warm your heart

Unexpected grace A forever friend

“When my best friend, Colleen, passed away after a long battle with cancer, I felt like my heart had been wrenched from my chest. We shared 40 years of memories and she had gotten me through some of the toughest times in my life.

“Two days before she passed, she gave me the heart-shaped blue topaz necklace she’d worn for years, saying, ’I need you to have this. It will remind you that I love you and will always be with you.’ Knowing she didn’t have long, I wept as she fastened the stone around my neck.

“The morning after Colleen’s funeral, I was driving to work and hit a patch of black ice. My car began to spin as crippling panic shot through me. Suddenly, I heard a soft whisper, I’m with you. I love you. I clutched at Colleen’s necklace. Right then, my car miraculously stopped just short of a deep ravine.

“I caught my breath as a deep peace fell over me. As tears filled my eyes, I replied, ‘I love you too, sweet friend.’”

—Gina Worth, 60, Memphis