On a Friday evening two weeks before Christmas, I lost my job. I hadn't seen it coming. I was excited for the weekend, when my daughter and I1to get our Christmas tree. Then I heard my voicemail, "We're sorry but your work assignment has2as of today." My heart3. I was a single parent. My paycheck was4.
The next day as we searched for our tree, I struggled to be5as I eyed each price tag.
Over the next week, I crazily applied for6as my bank account grew7. I felt as if the world was8in on me. At the weekend, back at home, I glanced out of the window. I noticed a woman9to open her car door against the snow and wind. As she got out, I realized it was my old professor, Esther, who kept in touch like my10even after my graduation from college. Every time just being in her11gave me hope that things would be all right. "What12?" I asked as we hugged. "Well, I tried to call last week but are you doing out in this couldn't13. Then I called your job and so I thought I would come by," Esther said, handing me a Christmas card. When I opened it, tears of14welled up in my eyes. In it was $1000.
In 2020 at age 91, Esther died, but the15she gave during her life lives on in the hearts of many. I am lucky to be one of them.
