We couldn’t attend, but we sent flowers. He replied with a photo of his mother’s kitchen table, now covered with candles and small, handwritten memories from neighbors, friends, and even previous guests—a final, beautiful tribute to Mila.
It serves as a constant reminder of how easy it is to assume the worst in people and how quickly we are to judge without asking questions. But it also reminds us of the power of grace. If I hadn’t written that first angry review, Marten might never have had the push he needed to finally go back to that house and begin to heal.
Now, whenever we check into a new Airbnb, I still check the smoke detectors. But I check with more than just suspicion. I check with a reminder that sometimes, the things we fear are just fragments of someone else’s love, left behind.
This story moves us all to reflect on how we react to the unexpected. If it reminded you to pause and listen before judging, feel free to give it a like or share it with others.
