It’s my birthday! This is so silly!”

When Pauline read the note, she noticed the message seemed like it was scribbled by a child. At that point, the thought of the woman selling the doll flashed through Pauline’s mind.

***

The next day, she returned to the flea market with the doll, and luckily, the woman’s stall was still there. “Oh, I’m glad I found you here!” Pauline said. “I bought this doll yesterday, and I found a note inside…”

When the woman, Miriam, saw the note, her eyes welled up.

“My daughter got this doll for me,” she said quietly. “She passed away two days before my birthday…My husband and I, oh, I’m sorry…” The woman covered her face as her tears started to flow. “I’m really sorry for your loss,” Pauline said apologetically.

“I had no idea. I know I can’t take away your pain, but if it helps, I can give you a hug.”

“Oh, thank you…” Miriam said. Pauline gave her a warm hug, after which Miriam revealed her sad story, which brought tears to Pauline’s eyes.

“My little daughter was diagnosed with cancer,” Miriam said. “We needed money for her chemotherapy. My husband and I work at a factory.

We didn’t have enough money to cover her hospital bills, so we set up a stall here to sell our old furniture and things we didn’t need.”

“But we couldn’t save our daughter…She—she left us too soon. We’re selling her toys because every time I look at them, it just makes me sad.”

“One night, when I held my baby girl’s hand, she asked me to be happy. She had said, ‘Mumma, when I’m gone, please remember me with a smile.’ So I decided to sell the toys.

She had bought that doll, saying it would remind me of her. I’m sorry I feel like I’m oversharing with you, but my heart feels really relieved today. Thank you for listening to me.”

As Miriam finished, she broke down into tears again.

Pauline consoled her, and the two women talked about their lives for a while. Pauline told her how she’d been raising Eve by herself and invited her over to spend time with them. “Eve will love to meet you,” she said.

“And thank you so much for the doll. It made my daughter’s day. I’m sure your daughter is looking at you and smiling.

Thank you again,” she added before she left. A few days later, Miriam visited Eve and Pauline at the trailer where they lived. “This is in appreciation of your kind heart and patience in listening to me that day.

I hope this helps you and Eve,” Miriam said, handing Pauline an envelope. When Pauline opened it, she found a couple of dollar bills inside. $3000 in total.

“Oh, Miriam, we can’t take this. This is a lot. No, no, this doesn’t feel right…”

“You can take it, Pauline,” Miriam insisted.

“A mother’s heart knows how much it hurts when you can’t do enough for your child. We made this by selling the toys. Please keep it.

If not for my sake, please keep it for Eve’s sake.”

Pauline cried. “Oh, Miriam, thank you. This will help us a lot.

Thanks.”

From then on, Miriam and Pauline became friends, and Miriam loved and spoiled Eve too much. But the best part was that Pauline and Eve’s company helped Miriam heal and move on from her loss. What can we learn from this story?

Help someone in need, and you’ll never regret it. Pauline and Miriam helped each other in whatever way they could. That helped Miriam overcome her grief, and Pauline and Eve found someone who cherished their company.

Sometimes, the cause of someone’s smile is the source of another person’s grief. Sadly, the doll which made Eve happy on her birthday was a reminder of Miriam’s sad past.