FRIENDS, INDEED

I had just gone through three big life changes within nine months: a divorce after 32 years of marriage, a move and receiving custody of my 22-month-old granddaughter.

- Reader's Digest Readers

A Treasured Friend

At the same time, an old college friend was diagnosed with a terminal illness and asked me to reach out to some of our classmates to let them know. One of them, Molly, was the first to our friend's bedside. We hadn't spoken in decades, but we kept in touch through the following weeks.

It was very overwhelming to raise a toddler and adjust to the heartbreak and depression. One day, I came home to a gaily decorated box filled with birthday gifts for my granddaughter. It was from Molly. We received a similar box with Christmas gifts for both of us soon after. We've received them every birthday, Christmas, Valentine's Day, Easter and Halloween for the past four years. I can't tell you how excited my granddaughter is to open these treasure boxes, but I was also buoyed by the kindness. During a year in which I was struggling with so many life changes, Molly's extended thoughtfulness helped keep me afloat.

-ROBERTA EDGAR WHITENIGHT, Warrington, Pennsylvania

Growing Well