Emma Richards lived a quiet life. She was an old, poor, and lonely woman who had no one to depend on. Her husband John had passed away seven years ago, leaving her with an empty house and an emptier heart. They never had children together—or so everyone thought. And whenever people asked her why, Emma always shrugged and quickly changed the subject.
One chilly afternoon, Emma was sitting in her bedroom watching television when the doorbell suddenly rang. She rarely had visitors, so she slowly made her way to the door.
When she opened it, a delivery man stood there, a stack of boxes in his arms. He looked to be in his 40s, wearing a mask that covered most of his face.
Emma frowned. “Hello. I’m not expecting a package from anybody. May I know who this is from?”
The man shook his head politely. “I’m sorry, ma’am, but these packages were sent anonymously. Rest assured, our security checked them—they’re perfectly safe. These are for you.”
He placed the boxes gently on the table by her door.
Emma blinked in surprise. “That’s strange… thank you, sweet boy.” She closed the door, still confused.
Curious, she tore open the boxes. Inside the first one were shiny new appliances: a toaster oven, a sandwich press, even a coffee maker.
She gasped. “Who would give me all of these?”
In the second box, she found groceries, along with a few lovely clothes. Emma felt her heart pound. No one had ever sent her gifts like this before.
The next day, more packages arrived. And the day after that. Each time, the same delivery man handed them over. After a week of mystery deliveries, Emma decided to learn more about him.
“What is your name, sweet boy?” she asked with a smile.
The man’s eyes crinkled above his mask. “My name is Ted Harrison,” he said kindly. Then he held out an envelope. “Mrs. Richards, the sender asked me to give you this. I’ll wait here until you finish reading it.”
Emma’s fingers trembled as she tore it open. The note read:
Mrs. Richards, please let me know what you need for yourself, and I will grant them.
Her eyes widened. “Oh, I am dying to know who has been giving me all of these! Now that person even wants me to make requests!” she exclaimed.
Ted smiled warmly. “I’m sure the sender loves you very dearly, even though you don’t know who it is.”
Emma decided to play along. She didn’t want to be greedy, so she wrote down only her necessities—simple food, clothes, and books.
From then on, Ted visited her every day with packages. Emma, in turn, began preparing quick snacks for him. They sat together at her small table, sipping tea and nibbling biscuits as they chatted. Ted even helped her with housework she couldn’t manage anymore.
For the first time in years, Emma didn’t feel so alone. She looked forward to his visits.
But one day, Ted didn’t come.
Emma waited by the window, staring at the road, but no one arrived. By the next day, she grew worried. Finally, she decided to go to the local post office.
“Hello, dear,” she said to the young woman at the reception. “Can you please page Ted Harrison? I brought him some donuts.”
The receptionist looked puzzled. “I’m sorry, ma’am. There’s nobody named Ted Harrison who works here.”
Emma froze. “Oh… but he has been delivering my packages every day.”
The woman shook her head gently. “I think you may be mistaken.”
Emma left, her heart heavy with confusion. Who was Ted, then? Why had he lied about being a delivery man?
As she walked back home, her mind spun. Was Ted just pretending? Was he even real? Who has been sending me these gifts?
When she reached her porch, she stopped in shock. A small box was waiting at her door. Inside was a single key and a note.
Her hands shook as she unfolded the paper and read:
I learned the truth just a month ago when I hired a private investigator to find out where I came from. I know you blame yourself and regret what you did. But I don’t blame you. I know you only wanted the best for me.
You and your husband couldn’t afford to raise me, so you gave me up for adoption. I was lucky—I ended up with a wealthy family who treated me like their own. But something always felt missing. That missing piece was you, mom.
I bought a new house, and I had a key duplicated for you. Please move in with me. Let me take care of you now. With love, your delivery man, Ted.
Emma dropped the letter, her body trembling. Tears blurred her vision. Her son. The baby she once gave up—he had found her!
The memories rushed back. She and John had been drowning in debt when she discovered she was pregnant. They had cried together, realizing they could not give their baby the life he deserved. With broken hearts, they left him at an orphanage, along with a letter explaining their decision. It was the hardest choice she ever made.
And now… her son was back.
Before she could even leave to find him, a knock came at her door.
Emma opened it—and there he was. Ted.
His mask was gone now. His eyes, kind and gentle, were filled with emotion.
“Hi, mom,” Ted said softly.
Emma’s knees nearly gave out. Tears streamed down her face. “I can’t believe it. My son,” she sobbed, pulling him into a fierce hug. “I am so sorry, sweetheart. I wish you can forgive me.”
Ted held her tightly. “You don’t need to apologize, mom. I’m here because I want to spend more time with you. It’s not too late. We can still be a family.”
That night, Emma packed her belongings with Ted’s help. A moving truck waited outside. Together, they loaded her boxes and drove to Ted’s home.
When she arrived, another surprise awaited her—Ted’s wife and children stood at the door, smiling with open arms.
“We’re so happy to meet you, Grandma!” the children cheered, rushing to hug her.
Emma wept again, but this time from joy. She had thought her life would end in loneliness, but here was a family—her family—ready to welcome her.
From that day forward, Emma was never alone again.
Lessons from Emma’s Story:
- The past doesn’t have to define the future. Emma thought she had lost her son forever, but fate brought them back together.
- Forgiveness is powerful. Instead of holding a grudge, Ted chose love. He gave his mother not just forgiveness, but a family and a home.