One chilly November evening, Greg, a hardworking construction laborer approaching his 40s, was making his way home after a long shift. At the train station, he spotted a woman clutching a small child, clearly distressed and unsure of what to do next. She asked if he could spare money for a train ticket, explaining that while she had funds waiting for her, she didn’t have anything on her at the moment. Something in her demeanor felt authentic, and though Greg usually kept his guard up, this time, he felt compelled to help.
Rather than walking away, Greg invited the woman and her child to a nearby café and bought them a warm meal. Her name was Lily, and her son was Matthew. As they spoke, Lily opened up about her situation—how she’d lost her wallet, phone, and travel plans and now found herself completely stranded. Greg, touched by her vulnerability, made an impulsive yet heartfelt decision: he handed her his entire paycheck, sealed in an envelope, with his home address written on it. He asked for nothing—just that she and her son make it home safely.