Melanie lived in her ancestral home, which was situated in a quiet neighborhood. Her next-door neighbors were four elderly siblings who were in their 80s.
Realizing they needed assistance, Melanie offered to help them every time she got home from her hospital shifts. The four sisters appreciated this and genuinely enjoyed Melanie’s company.
“You are heaven-sent, Melanie,” Alice, the eldest of the sisters, once told their neighbor. “Will you at least allow us to pay you for your help?” she asked.
Although Melanie needed money, she shook her head. “Oh, no, Alice. I will not allow you to pay me! I do this because I care for you, not because I want any money in return. Really, don’t worry about it,” she replied.
Unfortunately, as time passed, the inevitable began to happen. When the last of the sisters died, the lawyer revealed that Melanie needed to visit her office that same week because there was something she had to discuss with her.
The four sisters’ children also began contacting Attorney Rebecca to arrange the will reading. However, before they could do that, Attorney Rebecca said that each child would receive a letter in the mail from their mothers. Each letter contained the same message.
In the letters, the sisters had penned a heartfelt note to their children, explaining their decision to leave a significant part of their estate to Melanie. They wrote about the countless times Melanie had assisted them without ever asking for anything in return, highlighting her kindness and the genuine care she had shown them throughout the years.
The children, though initially surprised, came to understand the deep bond their mothers had formed with Melanie. They appreciated how she had enriched their lives, offering companionship and support when they most needed it.
When Melanie arrived at the lawyer’s office, she was stunned to learn that the sisters had left her the house next door—the very place where they had spent many joyful and serene years together. Alongside the house, they had also set aside a fund for its maintenance and a generous amount to ensure Melanie could live comfortably without the financial strains she often faced.
Touched beyond words, Melanie decided to honor their memory by maintaining the home in its original state as much as possible. She moved in, cherishing the memories and the legacy of kindness and generosity the sisters had left behind. As she settled into her new home, Melanie continued to reflect the warmth and care she had received from the sisters, becoming an integral part of the community just as they had been.