At seven months pregnant, I boarded a crowded bus, exhausted and hoping someone might offer me a seat.

None did. Then I saw an elderly woman struggling to steady herself as she boarded. Without hesitation,

I gave her my spot. She nodded gratefully, her gaze resting on me the entire ride.

As the bus reached her stop, she touched my hand and quietly slipped something into my coat pocket before

stepping off. Curious, I reached inside and pulled out a small, old-fashioned locket. Inside was a

picture of a mother holding her newborn, and an inscription that read: “Every sacrifice for love is never wasted.”

Tears filled my eyes. The locket wasn’t just jewelry — it was a message. In that moment, every ache of pregnancy felt lighter,

every struggle meaningful. Her silent gesture gave me strength, reminding me that love makes sacrifice worthwhile.

I never saw her again, but her gift stayed with me. Months later, when I held my baby for the first time,

the words engraved in the locket rang true. Sometimes, the greatest lessons don’t come from loved ones,

but from strangers who appear at just the right moment to remind us of life’s deeper truths.