When a poor janitor gives her daughter an antique toy from a flea market, she hears a cracking sound. She cries over what she finds.<\/p>\n
\u201cI love this. Eve will love!\u201d Pauline shouted as she passed a toy vendor.<\/p>\n
Pauline was a janitor and single mother to Eve, 8. Since her husband died of cancer years earlier, she had raised Eve alone.<\/p>\n
Pauline noticed the doll at the flea market and thought it would be Eve\u2019s best birthday present. She had no money to buy anything expensive, so the flea market was her only bet.<\/p>\n
Pauline didn\u2019t scrutinize the doll before buying it because she was thinking about Eve. The doll made a strange cracking sound when given to Eve on her birthday two days later.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
A few days prior\u2026<\/p>\n
\u201cMommy,\u201d Eve lamented. \u201cGet me a doll?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHoney,\u201d Pauline said gently. \u201cWe have a tight budget this month. Next month, Mommy will get you one. A promise.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut mommy\u2026 Eve\u2019s voice broke. Two days until my birthday. Did you forget?\u201d<\/p>\n
Oh, no, dear! Not at all!\u201d However, Pauline had forgotten and regretted it.<\/p>\n
Are you still not buying me a doll? Mom, I have no pals. Nobody wants to be my friend because we\u2019re poor. That doll may be my best friend\u2026<\/p>\n
\u201cOh honey,\u201d Pauline hugged Eve. I\u2019ll get the doll. Promise. Don\u2019t cry, okay?<\/p>\n
Pauline knew Eve\u2019s schoolmates mistreated her because she wasn\u2019t rich, but she couldn\u2019t change it. Children may be mean.<\/p>\n
Present day\u2026<\/p>\n
After buying the doll, Pauline was thrilled. She couldn\u2019t wait to give Eve it and see her gorgeous smile. Vintage dolls held little babies.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, Eve will be thrilled!\u201d On her drive home, Pauline thought.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Eve was. The toy Pauline gave the girl on her birthday brought her endless joy.<\/p>\n
Something that makes someone grin might also make them sad.
\n\u201cTa-da! Mommy bought Evie a doll!\u201d Pauline exclaimed, grasping the doll. \u201cCan mommy kiss that?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHow pretty! Thank you, mama!\u201d Eve chirped while kissing Pauline\u2019s cheek.<\/p>\n
Pauline heard a peculiar crackling sound as she gave Eve the doll.<\/p>\n
It was what? Pauline ponders.<\/p>\n
She heard the crackling again when she shook the doll close to her ears.<\/p>\n
\u201cMommy! Here, give! Hold my doll! Please! Please!\u201d Eve claimed she was eager to play.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne second, honey. There may be anything inside\u2026<\/p>\n
Then Pauline investigated the doll and found a hidden pocket in its clothes. Untying the slack threads surrounding it released a note.<\/p>\n
Eve instantly grabbed it up and exclaimed, \u201cMommy, it says \u2018Happy Birthday, Mommy.\u2019\u201d Not your birthday! My birthday! This is ridiculous!\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Pauline noticed the note looked child-written when she read it. At that moment, Pauline thought of the doll seller.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
She brought the doll to the flea market the next day and found the woman\u2019s stand.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m glad I found you!\u201d Pauline said. I purchased a doll yesterday and received a note inside.<\/p>\n
Miriam had tears when she saw the note. \u201cMy daughter got this doll for me,\u201d she whispered. She went away two days before my birthday.My husband and I apologize\u2026\u201d The woman hid her face as she cried.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m really sorry for your loss,\u201d Pauline apologized. \u201cI was unaware. I can\u2019t erase your grief, but I can hold you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you\u2026\u201d Miriam said. After hugging her, Miriam told Pauline her sad story, bringing tears to her eyes.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy little daughter was diagnosed with c.a.ncer,\u201d Miriam said. We needed her chemotherapy funds. My husband and I work in a factory. Since we couldn\u2019t afford her hospital fees, we set up a booth to sell our old furniture and unwanted items.<\/p>\n
We failed to save our daughter.We lost her too soon. We\u2019re selling her things because they sadden me every time I see them.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMy baby girl asked me to be happy one night when I held her hand. Mumma, please remember me with a smile when I\u2019m gone. Selling the toys was my choice. She bought that doll to remind me of her. Please forgive me for oversharing, but my heart is relieved today. I appreciate your attention.\u201d<\/p>\n
Miriam cried again after finishing. Pauline comforted her, and they discussed their lives. Pauline invited her over to share her experience raising Eve alone.<\/p>\n
\u201cEve will love to meet you,\u201d she continued. Many thanks for the doll. Made my daughter\u2019s day. Your daughter is probably smiling at you. \u201cThank you again,\u201d she said before leaving.<\/p>\n
A few days later, Miriam visited Eve and Pauline in their trailer.<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you for your kindness and patience in listening to me that day. Miriam gave Pauline an envelope, hoping it helped her and Eve.<\/p>\n
Pauline opened it and discovered two dollars. $3000 total. \u201cOh, Miriam, we can\u2019t take this. What a lot. It doesn\u2019t feel right\u2026<\/p>\n
\u201cYou can take it, Pauline,\u201d Miriam said. Mothers know how much it hurts to not do enough for their children. We made this selling toys. Please retain. Please preserve it for Eve, not me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pauline wept. \u201cThank you, Miriam. This will aid us greatly. Thanks.\u201d<\/p>\n
After that, Miriam and Pauline became friends and Miriam spoiled Eve too much. Best of all, Pauline and Eve\u2019s company helped Miriam recover from her loss.<\/p>\n
What can this story teach us?<\/p>\n
You\u2019ll never regret helping others. Pauline and Miriam helped each other whenever possible. That comforted Miriam, and Pauline and Eve found someone who enjoyed their company.<\/p>\n
Something that makes someone grin might also make them sad. The toy that made Eve joyful on her birthday reminded Miriam of her sorrowful past.<\/p>\n
Amomama.com news<\/p>\n
When a poor janitor gives her daughter an antique toy from a flea market, she hears a cracking sound. She cries over what she finds. \u201cI love this. Eve will love!\u201d Pauline shouted as she passed a toy vendor. Pauline was a janitor and single mother to Eve, 8. Since her husband died of cancer…<\/p>\n