I was just a kid with big dreams and a strong desire to make something of myself. While I was in college, I took a job at a diner to save up money. One night, while I was driving home in a terrible storm, I saw a frail man trying to find shelter from the pouring rain. I had no idea that this encounter would have a huge impact on my life in the future.

The weather was really bad, and I could hardly see the road. But something inside me urged me to pull over next to the man. Before I even realized what I was doing, I called out, “Hey, are you alright?”

He looked pale, drenched, and worn out, and he just nodded his head.

“Hop in,” I said, rolling down my window.

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My heart was pounding. I was really scared because I had no idea what I had gotten myself into.

I let the man into my home. He said his name was James. I offered him some food and told him he could crash on my old couch for the night. Soon enough, he was fast asleep, and I headed upstairs.

As I lay in bed, I thought about my choice to let a stranger stay with me. But how could I just leave him out there in the storm? I knew it was wrong to drive past someone who really needed help.

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As I was just about to drift off to sleep, I started to think about whether I should lock my bedroom door. I felt pretty sure that James wouldn’t harm me, but my mom’s voice echoed in my head, warning me to always be cautious. If she were there, she would probably say, “Celia, don’t be foolish! That guy is a stranger. Lock the door, for goodness’ sake!” So, I decided to lock it.

When morning came, I headed downstairs to make breakfast. James was really grateful that I didn’t leave him outside during the storm, and I acted like it was no big deal, as if inviting strangers in was something I did all the time.

James reminded me of a hurt bird that needed some time to recover before it could soar high again.

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While we were eating, I handed him some cash and a bus ticket that my mom had given me.

“I hope this helps you get to a safe place.”

After that, James walked away, and our meeting turned into just a story I would tell my friends sometimes.

Time went by, and I got married. My husband and I had two kids.

I felt really happy with my family. My job wasn’t exactly what I had dreamed of, but we were getting by.

One morning, as I was flipping pancakes, I heard a knock at the door. My husband was at work, and the kids were upstairs, either doing their homework or whatever else they were up to.

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I peeked through the window and noticed a man in a sharp navy suit. He was carrying a leather folder tucked under one arm.

Since I was behind on my credit card payments, I figured he must be from the bank.

Feeling nervous, I opened the door and asked, “How can I assist you?”

The man looked directly at me and replied, “You’ve already helped me. A long time ago.”

“James?” I said, surprised. “Yes, Celia, it’s really me,” he responded. “I promised to repay your kindness from years ago, and I’ve been trying to find you for so long.”

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I couldn’t believe my eyes. James looked so different! He was dressed nicely and didn’t look anything like the guy I helped during the storm. But he still had that same calm attitude and honesty.

“Celia,” he said in a steady voice, “you have no idea how much your kindness that night meant to me. I used the bus ticket you gave me to get to the nearest town and went to the shelter that a guy on the bus told me about.”

I listened closely as he continued. “A few days later, I found a job, and now I run a company that supports shelters and scholarships. I owe it all to you.”

He had to work really hard and take on different jobs to get to where he is now. Whenever he felt like giving up, he thought back to that stormy night, and it gave him the strength to keep going. He realized there is kindness in the world, and he wanted to share it with those who need it.

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After telling me all about his life, James gave me the folder he had with him.

“This is for you, Celia,” he said. When I opened it, I found a deed to a house.

“James, I can’t take this,” I replied, still shocked. But James wouldn’t take no for an answer. He really wanted to give me that house, which was only a few miles from my place.

“Celia, you were the only one who noticed me during that terrible storm. I was feeling really down, and you showed that you cared. You gave me something I hadn’t felt in a long time: a reason to keep going.”

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I was stunned at James’s words.

Accepting that house was really important to him, so I decided to accept his kind gift.

I never realized that what seemed like a simple act of kindness could make such a big difference.

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