As everyone sat at the dining table, Cynthia served breakfast and Jack began to recall his first encounter with Gregory.
Cynthia knew bits and pieces of their story, but she wasn’t aware of the entire episode.
“So three weeks ago, Mrs. Simpson,” Jack began.
“I met your husband at the airport.
I was meant to fly the same flight as him to see my wife. She was in labor and I was very worried. In my anxiety, I didn’t realize I got the date wrong on my ticket.
It was for the next day.
I only realized it while checking in.
“Because there were no more seats available that day, Gregory offered me his ticket and said, ‘Boy, you NEED to be with your wife! Use my ticket and I’ll use yours.”
“Okay,” Cynthia said slowly, nodding.
“I know about the ticket swap. But what about the cars?
I’m still wondering what this car exchange has to do with anything….”
Gregory chuckled.
“That’s another interesting part…Before we went to the check-in, Jack and I had met in the waiting room. We were casually talking, honey, and I mentioned that we were still paying off loans, so we can’t afford a new car, and how our old one is giving us problems… After we exchanged tickets, this boy said, ‘Today we switched tickets; in a few weeks, we’ll exchange cars, that’s a promise!’
“I clearly didn’t take him seriously! But now that I see that shiny new car parked outside our door, I regret telling him we wanted a new car.
Before departing, he took my address, and look what he’s done!
We can’t keep it, Jack. We value your intentions, but this is unnecessary, boy…”
Cynthia nodded.
“Gregory is right. We won’t be able to keep the car.
I didn’t think much when you met with me yesterday and told me about this whole surprise, but I regret saying yes.
Please, this isn’t necessary….”
But Jack shook his head. “Trust me; it’s nothing in return for what you did. Because of your husband, I got to be with my wife and baby.
Please, I would feel bad if you turned down my present.
I insist….”
Gregory and Cynthia couldn’t say no to Jack. They accepted the car, but Jack’s generosity did not end there.
He was aware that after Gregory retired, he and Cynthia were struggling to pay off their loans, and as a result, they’d been unable to complete their house repairs.
So Jack took care of it for them. And one day, he came to visit them with his wife and baby daughter.
While they live in different cities, the Smiths feel like they’ve become a blended family with Jack.
The young man checks on them every now and then and makes sure they don’t miss out on anything, especially after learning the old couple didn’t have any children of their own.
What can we learn from this story?
Kindness never goes unrewarded.
Gregory offered his plane ticket to Jack so he could be with his pregnant wife, and in return, he and Cynthia received so much love and respect from Jack that they had not even thought of. Jack was like a son to them and cared for their smallest needs. Help someone whenever and in whatever way you can.
Gregory could offer Jack his ticket to help him, and he did that.
In return, he and his wife were blessed with the love of a son they never had.
