Teen Helps Limping Older Lady Cross the Road, Same Woman Walks Her Down the Aisle as Reward — Story of the Day

Heather walked an older woman down the road, and they connected through shared grief. Years later, the woman walked Heather down the aisle and surprised her with heartfelt words.

“Oh, child. You don’t have to help me if you’re in a hurry,” Mrs. Carter told the teenager who saw her struggling with her cane, watching as cars passed too quickly down the street.

“It’s not a problem,” the young girl, Heather, responded, grabbing the older woman’s hand.

This street was terrible. There were street signs for people to stop for pedestrians, but most drivers didn’t pay much attention to them. That’s why Mrs. Carter had such a hard time, and her house was on the other side of the street.

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Luckily, Heather managed to get a driver to bring his car to a complete stop, and they made their way slowly down the street.

“I’m so sorry, dear. I already had trouble walking when I injured my heel a few months ago. It hasn’t healed that well despite what the doctor said,” Mrs. Carter apologized as she limped her way through the road.

“Mrs. Carter, why aren’t you in your seat? The ceremony is about to start,” Heather said, her eyes widening.

“Don’t worry about it. I don’t mind helping out,” Heather replied, still not letting go of the old woman’s arm when they reached the other side.

“Surely, you have somewhere better to be,” Mrs. Carter joked, straightening and breathing heavily.

“Actually, I was on my way to the hospital.”

“Why?”

“My mom has cancer, and she had some complications. She’s been there a few days, but she insisted on me going to school.”

“Oh, dear. I hope she gets better soon. That’s a terrible disease.” Mrs. Carter pursed her lips.

“Can I help you to your house?” Heather asked, changing the subject. The woman agreed and told Heather where to go. It wasn’t far, but she was so grateful, so she offered Heather some hot cocoa for her efforts.

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“I never say no to chocolate. It’s my weakness,” Heather laughed. Mrs. Carter prepared their cups, and they sat down on her couch.

“Are you scared for your mother, dear?”

“Well, yeah. She’s the only person I have in the world. I don’t have friends at school. We’ve moved a lot over the years because Mom kept trying to get better jobs, and now, we’re all alone in this city. I don’t know what I’ll do if she dies,” Heather said, choking on that last word.

“It’s going to be ok. I’m going to add her to my prayers,” Mrs. Carter assured her, patting the teenager’s leg. “But you know… I went through similar. I lost my daughter and grandson about two years ago in a freak accident, and I thought I would never recover. Well, I can’t say that I fully have. But at least I can find some moments of happiness.”

“How did you cope?” the teenager asked, sipping from her cup.

“I started a book club,” Mrs. Carter revealed with a smile. “I know it doesn’t sound like a book club can solve much. But there’s something about escaping into a different world that heals something in your soul. Then I posted it on Facebook and discovered some great friends in the process. Do you like to read?”

“A little. Not really into the books they make us read in school, but I do like to read fantasy and other stuff,” Heather responded, finishing her cocoa.

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“Why don’t you join us sometime? We’re meeting this Friday right here. There’ll be snacks and more. You can bring your mother if she gets discharged by then. Everyone is welcome,” the older woman offered.

“But we haven’t read a book or anything,” Heather shook her head.

“That’s ok. You can just see how we discuss the book and decide if you like it.”

“Ok, I’ll think about it. Now, I really have to leave. I need to be there for my mom.”

“Of course, sweetheart.” Mrs. Carter nodded and stood to accompany the girl to the door. “My door is always open if you and your mother ever need anything. Many young people passed me on that street before you stopped to help. You are a remarkable soul.”

Heather blushed at the compliment and promised to take Mrs. Carter up on her offer sometime.

Luckily, Heather’s mother, Farrah, was discharged a few days later, but she was still too weak to go to the book club. Heather attended alone because she was genuinely starving for friends.

She met the group gathered at Mrs. Carter’s house and discovered that they ranged in all ages. There was even another teenager, Samuel, who was 17 and a complete nerd.

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Heather loved Samuel’s adorable glasses and goofy manga shirts immediately. They both started hanging out outside the club and, eventually, started dating. Mrs. Carter loved it because they attended the book club weekly as a couple, and she liked to take credit for introducing them.

Eventually, Farrah joined them as well, forming a great bond as book lovers. Everything was rosy until two years later when Heather’s mother died.

Mrs. Carter and Samuel were there to hold Heather through the pain. She had just turned 18 and experienced the harshest reality any adult could. She tried to keep her tears at bay through the entire wake and funeral, but when they were finally alone, she cried on her boyfriend’s shoulders while Mrs. Carter made them more hot cocoa.

The rest of the group did the best they could for Heather too, and they even raised money so she could pay off the medical debts her mom left. She had almost nothing left then, so she started living with Samuel and enrolled in community college.

She eventually transferred to a four-year college and got her degree. The book club members were there to see her receive her diploma, and that night, Samuel proposed.

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***

The wedding…

Heather took a deep breath and checked to see if her forehead was not covered in sweat and ruining her makeup. Luckily, everything was fine.

She shouldn’t have been nervous. Samuel was the love of her life. But the truth is, she didn’t think she would be getting married without her mother or some family. No one was walking her down the aisle, or so she thought…

“Hey, dear,” Mrs. Carter’s voice rang behind her.

“Mrs. Carter, why aren’t you in your seat? The ceremony is about to start,” Heather said, her eyes widening.

“I’m here to take a walk with you,” the older woman stated, and Heather stared at her for a few seconds in complete shock.

“Really?” she asked, barely getting the words out as her throat felt constricted.

“Yes, dear,” Mrs. Carter said, smiling.

Just then, the wedding march rang through the tiny church. The older woman offered her arm, and Heather took it, trying to hold back tears that threatened to ruin her makeup too.

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They started walking, smiling at the few friends gathered there with every step they took. It was a beautiful moment, but it was even better when Mrs. Carter told her something special.

“You and I met when you walked me down the street. Today, I’m honored to be walking you down the aisle. I’m honored to have met your mother too. She was a beautiful woman like you; I know she’s here with us, walking with us.”

Heather couldn’t contain the errant tear that escaped from the corner of her eye. But she kept it mostly together as they reached Samuel, and the bittersweet moment became all about happiness. She knew her mother was there, and her chosen family – Mrs. Carter and the book club members – were there too. She had everything and couldn’t ask for more.

What can we learn from this story?

• One act of kindness can reward you in the best ways. Heather and her mother were alone in the world until she walked an older woman down the street, and they gained a family.
• Everyone needs a community. If you don’t have friends, join a club, take an art class, or start practicing a sport. You never know who you’re going to meet. It might be the love of your life.

Share this story with your friends. It might brighten their day and inspire them.

If you enjoyed this story, you might like this one about a teen boy who helped a blind woman cross the road and later received an inheritance from her.

This piece is inspired by stories from the everyday lives of our readers and written by a professional writer. Any resemblance to actual names or locations is purely coincidental. All images are for illustration purposes only. Share your story with us; maybe it will change someone’s life. If you would like to share your story, please send it to info@amomama.com.