Emma Richards had lived a quiet, lonely life ever since her husband, John, passed away seven years ago. They had never been blessed with children, and without family to lean on, she had spent those years in solitude, carrying the weight of grief on her frail shoulders.
She never spoke much about why they hadn’t had children, and whenever someone asked, she would simply give a small, sad smile and change the subject. Some wounds, she believed, were better left untouched.
One cold afternoon, as Emma sat in her tiny living room watching television, the doorbell rang. She wasn’t expecting anyone. Her heart pounded as she made her way to the door, gripping her shawl tightly around her shoulders.
When she opened it, she found a delivery man standing there, balancing several boxes in his arms. He was in his forties, wearing a uniform and a mask, obscuring most of his face.
“Hello. I wasn’t expecting a package,” Emma said hesitantly. “Are you sure this is for me?”
“Yes, ma’am,” the delivery man replied with a polite nod. “The sender has chosen to remain anonymous, but I assure you, the packages are safe. Security has checked them.”
Emma frowned, puzzled. “That’s very strange… but thank you, young man.”
The delivery man carefully set the boxes down by her door. “You’re welcome, ma’am. Have a great day.”
Emma shut the door and immediately began opening the packages, curiosity getting the best of her. In the first box, she found a brand-new oven toaster, a sandwich press, and a coffee maker.
“Who would send me all this?” she muttered to herself, her fingers running over the shiny new appliances.
In the second box, she discovered beautiful clothes, neatly folded, along with fresh groceries. Someone had been thinking about her, making sure she had everything she needed.
The next day, another delivery arrived. And the day after that. Each time, it was the same delivery man bringing boxes filled with useful and thoughtful gifts.
Emma grew more curious with each passing day. One afternoon, as she accepted yet another package, she decided to ask the delivery man a question.
“What’s your name, sweet boy?” she inquired, offering a warm smile.
“My name is Ted Harrison,” he replied with a friendly grin.
Ted then handed her an envelope. “Mrs. Richards, the sender asked me to give this to you. I’ll wait while you read it.”
Emma’s hands trembled slightly as she unfolded the letter. Her eyes skimmed over the words quickly:
Mrs. Richards, please let me know what you need. I will grant your requests.
Emma’s heart pounded. “Oh, I’d love to know who’s been sending me all these gifts! And now they even want me to make requests?” she exclaimed, looking at Ted in disbelief.
Ted chuckled. “Whoever it is must care about you very much, ma’am.”
After a moment’s thought, Emma decided to write back. She didn’t want to take advantage of the mystery sender’s generosity, so she only listed necessities—some warm socks, pantry essentials, and maybe a good book or two.
From that day on, Emma and Ted became friends. She began preparing snacks for him, insisting that he stay for a short chat whenever he delivered her packages. Over time, Ted started helping with little things around the house, fixing a leaky faucet here, changing a lightbulb there.
For a month, Ted showed up at her door every single day. His presence became something Emma looked forward to—until one day, he didn’t come.
Worried, Emma decided to go to the local post office to look for him.
“Excuse me, dear,” she said to the young woman at the reception desk. “Can you please page Ted Harrison? I brought him some fresh donuts.”
The receptionist frowned. “I’m sorry, ma’am. There’s no one by that name working here.”
Emma’s heart dropped. “But… he’s been delivering my packages every day.”
“I don’t know what to tell you, ma’am,” the receptionist replied. “We don’t have any Ted Harrison here.”
Emma left the post office, her mind racing with questions. Who is Ted? Why would he lie about working for the post office? And if he isn’t a real delivery man… then who has been sending me these packages?
When she got home, she noticed a small box sitting on her porch. Her breath caught in her throat as she bent down to pick it up.
Inside the box, there was a single key and a note. Emma’s hands shook as she unfolded the paper and began to 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 for what happened all those years ago, but please don’t. I don’t blame you. I know you did what you thought was best.
Emma’s eyes filled with tears as she continued reading.
You and your husband couldn’t afford to raise me, so you gave me up for adoption. I ended up in a wonderful family that gave me everything I needed, but something always felt missing. That something was you, Mom.
I finally found you, and I want you in my life. I recently bought a new house, and I made a key just for you. If you’re willing, please move in with me. Let me take care of you. With love, your delivery man, Ted.
Emma gasped, tears streaming down her face. Ted… my son…
Memories of the past came rushing back. She and John had been struggling financially when she got pregnant. They had nothing to offer a child—no security, no stability—so they made the painful decision to give their baby up.
Even though it broke her heart, she had always believed it was the only way to give him a better life.
Now, after all these years, he had found her.
A sudden knock on the door made her jump. Wiping her tears, she opened it.
Ted stood there, his eyes filled with emotion. “Hi, Mom,” he said softly.
Emma let out a sob and pulled him into her arms. “I can’t believe it. My son. My baby,” she cried. “I am so sorry, sweetheart. I truly am. I wish you could forgive me.”
Ted held her tightly. “You don’t need to apologize, Mom. I’m here because I want to be with you. It’s not too late to start over.”
That night, they packed up Emma’s things together. A moving truck waited outside, ready to take her to her new home. When they arrived, Emma was greeted by Ted’s wife and children, who hugged her warmly.
For the first time in years, Emma didn’t feel lonely. She had a family again. She had her son.
And she would never have to be alone again.
Lessons from this story:
- The past doesn’t have to define the future. Emma believed she had lost her son forever, but life gave her a second chance to be with him.
- Forgiveness can heal deep wounds. Instead of holding onto pain, Ted chose love and forgiveness, and in doing so, he built a new future with his mother.
