It was never Vaughn’s intention for her volunteer work at a nursing home to help her get into college. But everything changed when Mrs. Coleman, who was 90 years old, grabbed her hand and said they were friends as kids.
With its cleaners and medicines that smelled like lemons, the nursing home had become Vaughn’s safe place. Her third year there was the best. It felt more like home than any other foster home she had been in.
Vaughn went by Mrs. Coleman’s door one Tuesday afternoon while she was making her rounds. When the old woman grabbed Vaughn’s arm, she was surprised by how strong she was.
“I know you!” Mrs. Coleman spoke in a whisper, her eyes wide. At first, Vaughn thought it was dementia, but what Mrs. Coleman said made sense.
She talked about how Vaughn used to come to her house as a child to sing on her birthday and play with her grandson Soren. Vaughn didn’t remember much, but Mrs. Coleman’s kindness and truthfulness made him feel something deep down.
Vaughn felt an odd link with them as they talked. Mrs. Coleman made her think of a time in her life that she had forgotten but where people saw and remembered her.
The next day, Vaughn got a shocking message from her bank: $700,000 had been put into her account. The nursing home called to let her know that Mrs. Coleman had been taken to the hospital and put into a coma.
Mrs. Coleman sent a note that said, “Use this for your dreams, sweet girl.” “You deserve it.” The money was hers; it was a gift that would help her reach her goals.
After a few days, Vaughn chose not to apply to any colleges. Instead, she gave most of the money to groups that help orphans and gave $50,000 to the nursing home to help with repairs. She went to nursing school with the rest of the money.
Vaughn understood that Mrs. Coleman’s meeting with him had changed the course of her life after she died. Just like Mrs. Coleman had taken care of her, she wanted to help other people.
As Vaughn stood outside of Mrs. Coleman’s room in the sun, he realized that sometimes the strangest links can lead us to our true calling.
Mrs. Coleman knew Vaughn better than she knew herself. Their chance meeting turned into a lifelong bond that led Vaughn to a future full of meaning and kindness.
