Mike spent years trying to find the person who saved her. Then, six months ago, he found a receipt buried in old paperwork. It had a reference number.
He called the billing department. Begged for answers. The clerk slipped — said “her.” A woman.
He searched. Found three nurses named Sarah who worked that day. One had moved. One had retired. The third was Sarah Patterson. My wife.
“I found her online,” he said. “Photos of her with you. With your kids. I recognized her instantly. She was the nurse who told me not to give up hope.”
He messaged her. Once. Twice. Then again. No response.
Then he found her obituary.
“I broke down,” he said. “The woman who saved my daughter was gone. And I never got to thank her.”
So he started coming to her grave. Every Saturday. To tell her about Kaylee.
“She’s sixteen now,” he said. “Honor roll. Wants to be a doctor. She volunteers at the children’s hospital. She’s alive because your wife gave $40,000 to a stranger.”
I was crying. Because I remembered.
I never did. Until now.
“I’m sorry I came without introducing myself,” Mike said. “I just needed her to know it mattered.”
He stood. “I’ll stop coming if it bothers you.”
“No,” I said. “Please keep coming. She’d want that.”
He nodded. Walked to his bike. Then turned.
“Your wife was one of the best people I’ve ever met. And I only spoke to her for five minutes. That says everything.”
He rode away. I stayed. Told Sarah I was sorry. Told her I finally understood.Continue reading…
