It was getting late for Bob Hollis.
A Florida hospital had just called the 40-year-old to tell him that a girl had been born and that he was the child’s father.
He was renovating because the couple needed to extend their home because they had no children of their own and had adopted three because they both wanted to be active in adoption.
Because he was a foster parent himself and had vowed as a child to take in as many as possible, Bob was especially cautious when it came to finding foster children.
During their conversation, he said to his wife, “I feel like I’ve made a huge difference if I can help those kids grow up to be the best of themselves.”
This image is purely for illustration purposes and shows a cute newborn Asian baby sleeping on a fuzzy fabric.
In addition, Bob was the father of two grown children he conceived with Ellen, his ex-wife.
Two years later, he met Mary, his second wife, and they were married after a few months of courtship. They failed in their attempt to conceive.
Their perseverance eventually paid off, and Mary became pregnant.
Having made up his mind, he scheduled Mary, who was due in two months, to travel to Florida, a destination she had always desired.
However, as soon as she got to Florida, the woman went into labor and was taken to the hospital.
This image is only illustrative.
Sadly, she died giving birth, so Bob was informed that since the baby was still a newborn, they had to take off right away.
He leased a car after his jet touched down and drove to the hospital, where his wife was said to have died.
When he got to the hospital, he met the 82-year-old volunteer in the intensive care unit who had just lost her spouse.
He walked into her office and asked her, “What happened?”
Calmly, she said, “Please take a seat, Mr. Hollis.”
“I would rather stand,” he said.
“Mr. Hollis, I’m sorry for your loss, but your wife had some difficulties giving birth to your child.”
At that point, Bob sobbed violently, and Mrs. Sticks chose to watch him in silence. She cleared her throat and spoke after a few minutes.
Mrs. Sticks stated, “As I understand it, you have come for the child, but I have to make sure you have what it takes to care for one.”
She said, “Call me if you need anything.”
This image is only illustrative.
The woman at the counter wouldn’t let him through when he reached the boarding gate.
She inquired, “Is this your child, sir?”
He responded, “She is, of course.”
I apologize, but it appears that she is too young to be flying. What is her age?
Her age is four days. Can I get through now? Bob stated.
The woman said sharply, “I’m sorry, sir, but you’ll need to show her birth certificate and wait until she’s at least seven days old before you go with her.”
“What is this?” Bob asked sternly.
“Are you implying that I must stay here for the next few days? I had to return home today because I don’t have any family here to stay with.
The woman apologized and looked at the next person in line, saying, “It’s the policy.”
He thought of Mrs. Sticks, the good-natured woman from the medical facility, while he was getting ready to spend the night at the airport. He didn’t want to bother her, but there was nothing he could do and night was coming fast.
His words were, “Hello Meredith.” “I need your assistance.”
“In this world, compassion still flourishes,” he told himself.
Before heading back to Texas, Bob spent over a week at Mrs. Sticks’ residence.
Even his child seemed to like the woman, as she would glow and smile just by hearing her voice. The father was amazed by her generosity and would often call her a true angel.
This image is only illustrative.
Bob learned during his visit that the woman had three great-grandchildren, seven grandkids, and four adult children.
Bob was allowed to go back home after obtaining his daughter’s birth certificate, but he kept in touch with the elderly woman who had assisted him.
At her funeral, a lawyer contacted him and informed him that, similar to what she did for her children, Mrs. Sticks had given him a portion of her estate.
Bob sent the money to a nonprofit he started with her four children as a token of appreciation for her generosity.
