"When I was young I had a dog. My parents decided that we couldn't afford it. It was the Depression."

She told the story once more. Their mother had told it before. They always tried to understand.

"It was on Christmas Eve. I cried that night. My dog came back in the morning. I thought it was a miracle."

When they heard the story they were happy. The first time.

"My father gave it away again. We were poor."

Hearing the story was hard.

They understood why kindness had ruled her difficult life. And why they loved her so much.