Time was running late for Bob Hollis when he received an unexpected call from a hospital in Florida. The message was life-changing: a baby girl had just been born—and he was her father.
At 40, Bob was in the midst of home renovations. Though he and his wife hadn’t had biological children together, they had adopted three and shared a strong passion for building a family through adoption. They had even begun expanding their home in hopes of welcoming more children.
Bob, who had served as a foster parent for years, was deeply committed to caring for vulnerable kids. Since his youth, he had made a promise to himself: to open his home to as many children in need as possible.
“I just want to help them grow into the best people they can be,” he once told his wife. “If I can do that, I’ll know I’ve made a difference.”
In addition to his adopted children, Bob also had two adult biological children from a previous marriage to his ex-wife, Ellen.
Two years after that marriage ended, Bob met Mary. Their connection was immediate, and within a few months, they were married. Despite their best efforts, they initially struggled to conceive. Eventually, their perseverance paid off—Mary became pregnant.
To fulfill her dream of visiting Florida, Bob planned a trip for her as she entered her third trimester. But the joyful journey took a tragic turn when Mary went into premature labor shortly after arriving and was rushed to a nearby hospital.
Mary did not survive the delivery. The hospital informed Bob of her passing and urged him to come right away—the newborn needed him.
As soon as he landed, Bob rented a car and drove directly to the hospital. There, he met an 82-year-old ICU volunteer, a woman named Mrs. Sticks, who had recently lost her own spouse.
In her office, Bob asked, “What happened?”
“Please have a seat, Mr. Hollis,” she replied gently.
“I’d rather stand,” he said.
“I’m so sorry for your loss,” she said softly. “Your wife had complications during labor.”
Bob broke down in tears. Silently, Mrs. Sticks gave him space to grieve. When he had calmed slightly, she spoke again.
“You’re here for the baby,” she said. “But before you take her, I want to make sure you’re ready to care for her.”
She smiled kindly. “If you need anything, don’t hesitate to call.”
Days later, at the airport, Bob ran into yet another challenge.
At the boarding gate, the agent asked, “Is this your child, sir?”
“Yes,” he answered.
“She looks extremely young. How old is she?”
“She’s four days old,” Bob said. “Can we board now?”
“I’m sorry, sir,” the agent said. “She must be at least seven days old to fly, and we’ll need her birth certificate.”
Frustrated, Bob asked, “Are you telling me I have to stay here for days? I don’t know anyone in this city. I was supposed to be home today.”
“I’m truly sorry, but that’s the rule,” she replied, turning to the next traveler.
As night fell and Bob faced the prospect of being stranded, he thought of the one kind soul he knew in Florida: Mrs. Sticks. Reluctantly, he picked up the phone.
“Hi, Meredith,” he said. “I could really use your help.”
He reminded himself, Kindness still exists in this world.
Bob ended up staying at Mrs. Sticks’ home for over a week. Remarkably, his newborn daughter responded with smiles to the sound of the elderly woman’s voice. Bob often said she was a true angel.
During his stay, he learned that she had four grown children, seven grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren of her own.
Once he secured the birth certificate, Bob finally flew back to Texas—but he never lost touch with Mrs. Sticks.
Years later, at her funeral, a lawyer approached him with unexpected news: in her will, she had left Bob part of her estate—just as she had done for her own children.
To honor her memory, Bob used the inheritance to start a nonprofit organization, co-founded with her four children, as a tribute to her selflessness and compassion.