Diane Salinger, a resilient 62-year-old widow, had been through her share of hardship. After losing her husband and her home to a tornado, she used her savings to open a small grocery store in a cozy Michigan town. She also rented a nearby apartment from a cold-hearted landlord, Chris Turkle.
Diane was a model tenant—quiet and reliable—until one month she came up $120 short on rent. She had extended credit to struggling families during the pandemic and asked Chris for a brief extension. But he coldly refused and gave her a week’s notice to vacate.
Later that day, Chris went to his sister Vanessa’s for his nephew’s birthday. To his shock, Diane was there—laughing and helping with dinner. It turned out Diane had been quietly supporting Vanessa, who’d fallen on hard times. She gave her food on credit and helped where she could, never asking for anything in return.
Ashamed, Chris realized how wrong he’d been. That night, he offered Diane the apartment at half rent, calling it an investment in the community—and in his sister. He also saw Diane in a new light: warm, generous, and kind.
From that moment on, Chris’s outlook changed. Inspired by Diane, he decided to be more than just a landlord—he’d be a part of his community and lend a helping hand.
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