Bob Hollis was racing against time when he got a call from a hospital in Florida telling him a baby girl had been born—and he was listed as the father. Confused but hopeful, he knew it had to be true; his wife Mary was in Florida on a surprise vacation he had arranged while he renovated their home for the arrival of their first biological child.
Their journey to parenthood had been long—they’d adopted three kids together, and Bob, a former foster child himself, had always dreamed of giving other children the family he never had. But joy turned to heartbreak when he landed in Florida only to learn that Mary had tragically passed away during childbirth. At the hospital, an elderly volunteer named Mrs. Sticks gave Bob the devastating news and also offered him unexpected comfort. What she didn’t know was that her simple kindness would soon change both their lives forever…
Bob planned to fly back to Texas immediately with his newborn daughter, but was stopped at the airport—the baby, only four days old, was too young to fly without proper documentation. With no family or friends in Florida and nowhere to stay, Bob reluctantly called Mrs. Sticks for help. Without hesitation, she welcomed him and the baby into her home, offering not just shelter but emotional support during his grief.
Over the following week, the two formed a deep bond, caring for the baby and sharing personal stories that drew them closer. When Bob finally returned home, he never forgot the kindness he received and continued to visit her with his daughter each year. Eventually, he fell in love with her eldest daughter Shirley, and they later married. In honor of Mrs. Sticks, Bob and her children founded a charity that continues to spread the compassion she so selflessly gave—a reminder that one act of kindness can echo for generations.
