The woman introduced herself as Margaret. She explained that the ring had belonged to her mother, who had passed away several years earlier. It was not simply an expensive piece of jewelry. It was the only valuable possession her mother had left her, and she had worn it every day since her death. Margaret had been shopping with her young grandson when she accidentally dropped it. She had searched everywhere and was beginning to believe she would never see it again. When I handed it back, she held it against her chest and thanked us repeatedly.

Before leaving, Margaret asked why we had decided to return something so valuable when we clearly needed the money. I explained our situation without expecting sympathy. I mentioned my daughter’s accident, Ellie’s difficult adjustment, and the leaking roof that seemed impossible to repair. Margaret listened carefully. Then she looked at Ellie and asked her name. When Ellie answered, Margaret suddenly became very still. She looked at the child’s face for several seconds before quietly asking whether her mother’s name had been Lisa.