Mrs. Anderson was 96-years-old and could no longer take care of the one thing she held closest to her heart - her house. She had owned it for years, and it used to signify her independence. Now, however, it only represented a struggle. It was time for the house to find a new owner.
She was sure who she wanted to donate it to. But before doing that, Mrs. Anderson wanted to secretly make it extra appealing inside. What happened next left everyone shocked. Nobody could have imagined what Mrs. Anderson would do to her house...
Who Was This Woman
Mrs. Anderson had lived in her house for decades. She had seen the neighborhood drastically change from a rural country to a bustling metropolis. Over the years, this neighborhood has become a safe refuge for the homeless.
Mrs. Anderson lived on a road that was a dead end. At the end of the road was a bridge with a big homeless population. Her house was so far away that she wasn’t in any danger but close enough that she had made some friends. What could these people offer her while they struggled to take care of themselves?
Holding Onto Connections
Mrs. Anderson's family had all abandoned her and she had spent many years growing old alone. One day as she was walking home a kind man stopped to talk with her. It was the first time she had spoken to someone in weeks.
Mrs. Anderson realized she couldn’t live in solitude anymore and wanted to make friends. It had been a long time since she had trusted anyone. How could she open up to this stranger and find a friend for the last years of her life?
In The Beginning
Steven had been homeless for almost ten years. He had lost his job and slowly ran out of money. Unfortunately to get a job you also need a permanent address. He had fallen on hard times and none of his family had come forward to help him.
He never imagined he would be sleeping under a bridge or homeless, but now he was comfortable with the lifestyle. When he started chatting with the older woman up the road it was a refreshing reminder of human connection. No one took the time to listen to Steven and spending time alone was deafening.
What Would They Talk About?
Mrs. Anderson began to watch her windows for Steven. She began to learn that he would return down the road after spending his days begging. She offered him a cup of tea one day and quickly a friendship formed.
From the outside, they were the complete opposite. Mrs. Anderson was in her nineties and Steven was only in his thirties. The old woman was pleasantly surprised at their conversations and it felt good to laugh again. Steven was quickly becoming the highlight of her dying days.
Did He Appreciate The Friendship?
Mrs. Anderson’s friendship took him by surprise but it made Steven’s days happier. Every day she opened her front door and invited him in for a cup of tea was a piece of comfort that Steven hadn’t experienced in years.
Mrs. Anderson looked at Steven like a human being. She didn’t define him by being homeless. In his life, he was used to people judging him, and in her company, he felt safe to be himself. He didn’t want to lose this connection and learned more about her life with every visit.
Sharing Stories Of The Past
Mrs. Anderson loved to talk to Steven about her life. At 96 years old she had a lot of stories and wisdom to share. Her favorite stories focused on her deceased husband, Peter. They had been married for 72 years.
The couple had met in Alaska and Mrs. Anderson had been in love from the first day she met him. Her husband's name was Peter and he was his wife's best friend. Every day without Peter was tough for Mrs. Anderson, but not for the reasons Steven assumed.
An Unexpected Death
The married couple had never talked about the day one of them would die, and Mrs. Anderson had assumed she would go first. Instead, Peter passed away suddenly in his sleep one night. It had been the hardest day of her life and she had never known what to do without him by her side.
While she spent weeks grieving she knew she had to figure out a way to honor Peter’s memory. The Anderson's had two daughters but neither one of them lived in Alaska. When they came home for their father’s funeral they assumed their mother would move in with them. Her family didn’t understand why she couldn’t leave this place.
Elly’s Daughters
Both of Mrs. Anderson's daughters lived far away from Alaska. They didn’t like the state for its cold weather and chose to make their own family homes in Boston & Dallas. When they arrived for the funeral they were shocked to hear their mother was planning on staying behind.
The idea of their mother living alone in her old age was worrisome. What if something happened to her? What if she passed away in her sleep like their father? How long would it take someone to find her? The girls argued with their mother, but she refused to budge on her decision.
Elly’s First Love
Mrs. Anderson had not been born in Alaska and moved there with her family when she was young. On her first day of school, she met Peter and the two became inseparable. From a young age, Mrs. Anderson knew she would marry Peter.
The life she imagined for them as adults was a happy one. In most aspects, they had lived out her childhood romance dreams. They had faced one tough battle after another together and it made their marriage stronger. There was only one thing left from their love, and it couldn’t move from Alaska.
They Bought Their Home
Even though the Anderson's struggled to find regular work, the couple had been able to save up and buy a house. At the time, it was a small ranch property, and the couple had big dreams of renovating it.
They would talk late into the night about their plans for the house and their future. They would dream about their future children and all the milestones they would achieve. Unfortunately, their life didn’t go according to plan.
Would It Last Another Winter?
The Anderson's had two beautiful children but they put a lot of money into repairing the house. It was constantly needing repairs, and Mrs. Anderson knew if she moved away with her daughters, construction companies would tear it down.
The neighborhood was changing constantly and when other people looked at the Anderson's house they saw an old building that stood out like a sore thumb. Mrs. Anderson saw her memories with her deceased husband everywhere she looked in the house. She vowed to protect these last memories for as long as she was alive.
Winter In Alaska
The season that caused the most damage to the house was winter. It was unforgiving with strong winds and icy temperatures. Mrs. Anderson had never gone through a winter season alone and knew that she had to find help in order to survive.
Her daughters were frustrated. Why couldn’t she leave this house behind and come home with them? They didn’t understand their mother's connection to the old house and left the funeral after arguing with her for hours. If she wanted to stay, they wouldn’t stick around to watch.
Steven Had Been A Lucky Stranger
When Mrs. Anderson & Steven first became friends, he had started helping her around the house. At first, he would do odd jobs and Mrs. Anderson would cook him dinner as payment. Her home cooking was priceless to Steven who was used to surviving on stale bread and coffee.
Steven had started patching her roof, fixing doors, and even a bit of plumbing. He had learned several skills from his dad and it felt good to bring back the knowledge he had stored away. Steven didn’t know how to express to Mrs. Anderson how much it meant to him that she was giving him a chance.
No One Knows How Much Time They Have
Steven recognized that Mrs. Anderson was old but he never thought about how much time she had left. It felt morbid, plus Mrs. Anderson had lots of energy. Whenever Steven was over he was amazed at how quickly she moved around the house and how much she was able to cook in the kitchen.
Steven’s family all lived far away and being with Mrs. Anderson made him feel loved and safe. He wondered if Mrs. Anderson felt any comfort in his company, but never had a chance to ask her. The day would arrive that Steven would be alone, but Mrs. Anderson had done something to make sure he would survive.
The Final Days
One week, Steven noticed Mrs. Anderson was slower than usual. He never asked her how old she was and they never discussed what would happen after she died. Every time Steven left her house he never knew if it would be the last visit with his friend.
One day as he walked down the road, he noticed she wasn’t waiting for him in the window. Steven already knew the day had come and his friend was in a better place. He went back to his bridge and the homeless community he called home. His heart was heavy with grief and loneliness.
His First Home
Steven was used to sleeping under a bridge. Every night when he curled up under his blankets he fell asleep dreaming of a day when he would own four walls with a roof. He didn’t need something flashy or expensive. All he wanted was privacy and safety.
After being homeless for so long Steven was getting used to the conditions of his life. He had stopped trying to find a way to get ahead and was just focused on how to survive. One person was about to change Steven’s life from beyond the grave.
A Surprise Savior
Steven was surprised when a lawyer found him under the bridge with big information! The lawyer confirmed his suspicions that Mrs. Anderson had passed away, but had left Steven something in her will.
When he found out that Mrs. Anderson had left him her house, he was amazed. He barely knew her, why would she give him such a generous gift? Steven shook his head and stopped questioning the dying woman’s last wishes. He began to hope for a brighter future and asked the lawyer what his next steps were.
A Key To The Future
The lawyer told Steven all he needed was one signature. He had the keys to the house in his pocket and could give them to the man today. Everything was paid for and there really wasn’t anything, legally, Steven needed to worry about.
The key sat in Steven’s hand and he became overwhelmed with emotion. He didn’t have to settle for a life living under bridges. He held the key to his own potential. He closed his fist over the key and felt the weight of his future.
Unlocking The Door
Steven quickly packed up his belongings and walked with the lawyer to his friend's house. He had already been inside the house so often that everything looked the same, except for one tiny detail.
Without his dear friend making them tea or quietly speaking to him about her life, the house felt extremely empty. Steven put his small amount of belongings down and could not believe he owned a house. What else had Mrs. Anderson set up for him in her will?
Steven’s Budget For Survival
While Steven had been helping Mrs. Anderson out around the house, he had never told the old woman about his dire financial situation. He was too embarrassed to tell her that he was surviving on begging.
When he was with Mrs. Anderson he didn’t feel like a failure and doing the tasks around her house made him feel useful. There had been numerous times Mrs. Anderson had offered to pay Steven but he always refused. It was time to balance things for everyone.
Elly Had Kept A Secret
While Steven had assumed Mrs. Anderson had passed peacefully, the truth was revealed later. Before Mrs. Anderson passed away she had fallen in her kitchen. The fall had resulted in a hip injury and her family had held firm - she had no choice but to leave the house.
As Mrs. Anderson waited for her daughters to fly in she made quick arrangements with her lawyer. She had a final wish for her home and knew exactly how to carry on the legacy of her romance with Peter.
Elly Moved Into A Care Facility
After Mrs. Anderson had an accident, she moved into a full-time care facility. Between the move and the injury the old woman did not have the strength and passed away shortly after. Her daughters felt they had made the right decision in moving their mother, but would she still be with them if she had stayed in her home?
Were the house and the romance of her life with Peter giving her the will to live? What would happen to Elly’s dream home now that she had passed away?
Six Decades
Mrs. Anderson had lived in this house for sixty years. From the roof down to the floor were her personal touches and memories of her life. When her daughters told her she would be moving the only thing that mattered to her was who kept the house.
Mrs. Anderson knew she wouldn’t rest unless the house was taken care of. It had been a dream come true for her and Peter. Now, the devoted widow needed to find someone else who would have their own dreams come true.
A Hasty Phonecall
Mrs. Anderson had to do everything quickly, she was running out of time. She got on the phone with her lawyer and he understood the instructions and the importance. When Mrs. Anderson locked her house for the final time, she gave the key to her lawyer and knew he would follow her wishes.
Mrs. Anderson had been very clear about what she wanted. The one person who didn’t know what was happening was Steven. When a lawyer showed up to give him the news it was incredible. Mrs. Anderson was already on a plane to live with her daughters when Steven found out. How would he ever repay her?
At A Crossroads
Even though Steven knew how much Mrs. Anderson loved her house, he couldn’t help but think about what it would mean to sell the house. The money could help him move and get somewhere with more job opportunities.
Steven wished that Mrs. Anderson had spoken to him so he understood what to do. This was such a generous offer but what if he couldn’t honor her final wishes. Steven knew what he had to do, but it would make Mrs. Anderson roll over in her grave.
A Final Conversation
Steven needed to consider this generous offer carefully. One thing was for sure he would be sleeping at his new house tonight, but what did he want in the future? He wished he could have one final chat with Mrs. Anderson, in her kitchen and listen to her sage advice.
The lawyer came with Steven as he entered the house for the first time. He noticed the locks had been changed and he couldn’t stop smiling thinking about sleeping indoors tonight, instead of under a bridge. Steven didn’t know there was one last surprise gift from Mrs. Anderson waiting on the table.
Everything Was Almost The Same
As Steven walked into the house he still couldn’t believe it was his. He took a minute to really accept the news, and once again wished Mrs. Anderson was there for him to thank properly. As he looked around, he noticed one thing out of place.
On the dining table was a large suitcase. He had never seen it before and thought it was strange. After doing so many odd jobs around Mrs. Anderson's house he didn’t know how she had hidden this old suitcase away. What was it doing on the table and what could be inside?
It Had His Name On It
The suitcase was extremely old-looking and as Steven went closer he realized there was a piece of paper with his name on it. He recognized the handwriting instantly as Mrs. Anderson’s. It suddenly felt like his dear friend was in the room with him.
Steven realized the lawyer was still in the room, and he turned around to ask him what the suitcase meant. The lawyer smiled and told him to open it and find out. The suitcase had a key ready for Steven to turn.
What Did It All Mean?
As Steven unlocked the suitcase he was shocked to find the inside was full of small envelopes. He was even more confused. What were these envelopes doing in the suitcase? With a shaking hand, he reached out and picked up an envelope.
On the cover, it said, “for fixing the roof”. It took Steven a minute but then it clicked! Every single envelope was a chore or task that he had helped Mrs. Anderson with. From small things like helping her reach a high shelf, to big tasks when he would repair a window. Why would Elly write these moments on envelopes?
After All This Time
Steven had done all these tasks out of the goodness in his heart. Visits with Mrs. Anderson gave him a purpose and a sense of fulfillment. He never expected her to remember each one he did. As he stared at the envelope, he realized it had something inside.
With a shaking hand, Steven opened the envelope and almost dropped it when he saw what was inside! He gasped and did some calculations in his head. Mrs. Anderson had given her friend more than he could have ever imagined.
Each Envelope Had Money
Inside each envelope was a little bit of money. A few bills depending on the size of the task! Steven was in shock! After not working for years, this was more money than he had ever seen. Steven stared at Mrs. Anderson’s lawyer, this felt too good to be true.
The lawyer smiled at Steven and told him there was no catch. This was Mrs. Anderson’s final wish. She wanted to repay her friend and make sure he was set up for success in the years to come. Mrs. Anderson had truly valued Steven and wanted him to start a new chapter in his life.
A Fresh Start
Steven was amazed at Mrs. Anderson’s generosity. He knew exactly what he needed to do. He began to renovate the house and listed it as a vacation property. The Anderson property was in a beautiful part of Alaska where young couples could come and escape the big city lights.
Steven knew Mrs. Anderson would love the idea of more couples in love enjoying the home she had made with Peter for all those years. With this guaranteed income, Steven could also open a chapter in his life he thought had been closed for good.
A Brand New Life
With Mrs. Anderson’s generosity, Steven was able to focus on getting a full-time job. He got a smaller apartment and even began a relationship. He thought back to the homeless man living under the bridge and barely recognized that chapter in his life.
He would never be able to thank Mrs. Anderson for her kindness and generosity but she was truly Steven’s fairy godmother. He would never be homeless again, thanks to the kindness of Mrs. Anderson’s heart.