I was just in Hawaii with my husband, son, and parents where we celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary.

We were sitting at dinner one night when I noticed a beautiful crystal necklace that an elderly woman was wearing. It looked strikingly similar to one I inherited from my grandmother when she passed away. I was 6 when my Grandma Betty died, and held on to the necklace, dreaming of wearing it at my wedding.

I had my bridal portraits done wearing the necklace, and was so happy to be able to wear it in the pictures. The morning of my wedding, when I went to put the necklace on, I couldn’t find it anywhere – all of my wedding jewelry was missing! I was heartbroken – the necklace never turned up.

I borrowed a beautiful necklace from my aunt for the wedding, but never forgot about the necklace I’d saved my whole life to wear. I’m still so sad about it, and feel so guilty about losing it.

Back in Hawaii at dinner, I noticed the necklace the woman was wearing, and couldn’t believe how similar it was to my long lost one. I asked my dear husband to approach her and ask where she bought the necklace.

Preston willingly (or at least he pretended to be willing) went over and told her my story, asking where he could buy a necklace like that to replace mine. Her response was that she wanted to give it to me, provided I remember her and do something nice for someone.

Despite his protests, she came over to the table I was sitting at, necklace in hand, and showed me how to undo the clasp, which was antique. She told me that she had inherited the necklace from her mother, and she knew that her mother would want me to have it. I was shocked, and tears welled up in my eyes. I knew this necklace probably meant so much to her, and to have her give it to me, a total stranger, was beyond anything I could have imagined.

She asked that I do something kind for someone else, and I promised that I would. I hugged her, still in shock, thanking her for her kindness. After dinner, I approached her at her table wearing the necklace to thank her again. She wouldn’t tell me her name, but I will never forget her or the kindness she showed me. I will always treasure the necklace she gave me – and I hope to be able to live up to the kindness that she showed me.