A struggling mother finds a children’s backpack at a flea market and stumbles upon a small purse containing an amulet and some Japanese coins.
She resolves to track down the owner, oblivious to how this decision will transform her life.
Rachel met her husband, Fred, while in foster care. Both had lost their parents at a young age and soon became inseparable.
After finishing high school, they married and welcomed a daughter, Alicia, a year later.
Fred worked as a handyman in Denver, Colorado, while Rachel stayed home to care for Alicia. He toiled diligently to provide for the family, yet they were living paycheck to paycheck. To ease their financial strain, Rachel suggested taking a part-time job as a nanny, but they had no family to help look after Alicia.
Tragically, when Alicia turned six, Fred passed away from a heart attack caused by excessive work. Rachel, overwhelmed with grief, quickly sought employment to support her daughter. A few months later, she found work as a waitress at a local restaurant, Cuisine Wave.
One day, after school, Alicia insisted she needed a new backpack because her old one was tattered beyond repair. With funds tight, Rachel opted to visit a flea market where she aimed to find a replacement. She wandered through the myriad of stalls, eyeing various attractive bags, but her budget led her to a lovely old pink backpack that was just affordable enough.
When Alicia came home, Rachel presented her with the new bag, and the little girl was thrilled. As she hurriedly transferred her books, she discovered an old maroon silk clutch inside. “Mom! Did you buy this for yourself?” she asked, pulling it out.
“That’s not mine! Where did you find it?” Rachel exclaimed, intrigued.
“It was in my new backpack!” Alicia explained.
Rachel felt a strange heaviness as she held the purse, opening it to find Japanese coins and a silver amulet with a detailed design and a photo of a couple and a child inside.
Setting the contents aside, she turned the backpack over, and a small, torn address tag fell out. Picking it up, she saw it had an address in Colorado: “Amanda Turner, 60 Oakland Ave, #216, Colorado.” Convinced it belonged to the owner, she resolved to return the purse.
The next day, Rachel followed the address to a large mansion for sale. Asking a neighbor, Mrs. White, about Amanda, she learned the woman had died months earlier and that her husband, Ashton, and daughter, Lexi, had moved to Wheat Ridge.
Rachel shared her purpose with Mrs. White, who kindly provided Ashton’s new address.
The following day, Rachel took time off work and, with Alicia, set off to find Ashton. After a short trip, they arrived at the new home, and a tall man in his 30s answered the door.
“Are you Ashton Turner, Amanda’s husband?” Rachel asked.
“Yes, how can I help you?” he replied.
“I’m Rachel Wesley. I found a clutch in a bag I bought for my daughter. It had your wife’s address inside.”
“Oh, that’s where it went!” Ashton exclaimed. “Thank you! I’ve been searching everywhere. Please, come in!”
Once inside, Ashton explained that the amulet and coins had belonged to Amanda, who had tragically died in a plane crash while traveling to Japan with her colleagues. The items had been recovered and returned to him, and thinking it would comfort Lexi, he tucked the purse into her backpack. However, upon moving, he inadvertently sold the backpack, forgetting the contents inside.
“I’m so thankful you returned this; Lexi has been heartbroken without it. I can’t express how much this means,” he said.
Rachel, feeling a connection, responded, “You don’t need to thank me. I understand loss—I lost my husband, too, and know the pain of missing someone forever.”
Ashton, sensing her sorrow, placed his hand over hers, and an electric spark passed between them. Rachel quickly withdrew her hand, flustered, stating, “Um, anyway, I’m just happy to help,” as Ashton smiled warmly.
Turning to Alicia, he offered, “And how can I thank you, little one? Would you like some cookies and milk?”
“Oh, no, it’s really fine,” Rachel protested.
“It’s no trouble at all,” Ashton insisted before heading to the kitchen. “You’ve given me something priceless; this is the least I can do.”
Minutes later, he returned with cookies and milk for Alicia and tea for Rachel. They engaged in delightful conversation before she left, and soon their meetings evolved into a blossoming friendship and, over time, love.
Eventually, while living together, Rachel arrived home one day to see their living room adorned with rose petals and candles. Ashton knelt in the center, holding a ring and looking toward the door. “Is he proposing?” she wondered, excitement flooding her. Yet, she needed to reflect before accepting.
Rachel stepped outside and gazed at the sky, speaking softly, “Hi, Fred. I know you’re listening. I still miss you and all the moments we shared. After you were gone, I lost my will to live. But now, Ashton has helped me find joy again. Am I wrong for moving on? Please, if you’re at peace, let me know it’s alright for me to be happy.”
A sudden autumn breeze swept by, tousling her hair, and she smiled, feeling a sense of relief.
“Thank you, Fred,” she said, ready to embrace her new life.
What insights can we take away from this story?
