Bob Hollis was running late.
The 40-year-old had just received a call from a Florida hospital informing him that a girl had been delivered, and he was identified as the father.
The couple had no children of their own and had adopted three because adoption was something they both wanted to be involved in, therefore they needed to expand their home, which is why he was renovating.
Bob was particularly careful about getting a foster child because he was one himself, and he had grown up telling himself that he would take in as many children as possible.
“If I can help those kids grow up to be the best of themselves then I feel like I’ve made a huge difference,” he told his wife while they were discussing it.
Bob was also father to two grown kids whom he conceived while he was with his former wife, Ellen.
He met his second wife, Mary, two years later, and after dating for several months, they got married. They tried to have kids but were unsuccessful.
One day, their persistence paid off, and Mary conceived a child.
After making his decision, he booked Mary, who was due in two months, on a plane to Florida, a place she had always wanted to visit.
But when she arrived in Florida, the woman immediately went into labor and was subsequently rushed to the hospital.
Unfortunately, she passed away during childbirth, so Bob was told that because the child was a newborn, it was necessary to fly out immediately.
When his plane landed, he rented a car and made his way to the hospital, where his wife had allegedly passed away.
He met with the volunteer at the intensive care unit, a woman who was 82 years old and recently widowed when he arrived at the hospital
“What happened?” he asked her as soon as he entered her office.
“Have a seat Mr. Hollis,” she said calmly.
“I’m better off standing, he replied.
“I’m sorry for your loss Mr. Hollis, but your wife suffered some complications giving birth to your child.”
At that, Bob cried bitterly, and Mrs. Sticks quietly watched him, choosing to let him grieve. After a few minutes, she cleared her throat and spoke.
“As I understand you have come for the child, but I have to make sure that you have what it takes to care for one,” Mrs. Sticks said.
“Call me if you need anything,” she said.
When he got to the boarding gate, the woman at the counter refused to let him through.
“Is this your child sir?” she asked.
“Of course she is,” he said.
“I’m sorry but she seems too young to be on an airplane. How old is she?”
“She’s four days old. Now can I get through?” Bob said.
“I’m sorry sir, but you’ll have to present her birth certificate and wait till she is at least seven days old before traveling with her,” the woman said sternly.
“What’s this?” Bob asked angrily.
“Are you saying I have to remain here for the next couple of days? I have no family here to stay with which is why I must get home today.”
“I’m sorry, it’s the policy,” the woman said and turned her attention to the next person in line.
He was preparing to spend the night at the airport when he remembered Mrs. Sticks, the kind woman from the medical center. He would rather not have bothered her, but he had no choice, and the night was quickly approaching.
“Hello Meredith,” he said. “I need your help.”
“Compassion still thrives in this world,” he thought to himself.
Bob stayed at Mrs. Sticks’ house for more than a week before he returned to Texas.
The dad couldn’t believe how generous she was and would always refer to her as a true angel; even his kid appeared to like the woman, as she would glow and grin simply hearing her voice.
During his stay, Bob discovered that the woman had four adult children, seven grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
After receiving his daughter’s birth certificate, he was permitted to return home, but Bob continued to keep in touch with the old lady who had helped him.
A lawyer reached out to him at her funeral and told him that Mrs. Sticks had left him part of her inheritance, just like she did for her kids.
In honor of her kindness, Bob donated the money to a charity he founded together with her four kids.
