Sometimes, the universe aligns in the most beautiful ways. Two months ago, in a moment of urgency, I posted an SOS looking for Steve’s family to call for 911 for Steve, and one of the first people to respond was his aunt, Ruth Herold. Though we had never met in person, her kindness and willingness to support us bridged the gap of distance and time. What started as a simple call for help turned into a growing connection, with warm conversations exchanged online.
Then, last month, she mentioned she would be heading to Vietnam to volunteer and would be in Thailand for a short time. Knowing how rare it is for me to meet Steve’s side of the family, we seized the opportunity to make this meeting happen. A three-hour flight was a small price to pay for a moment that would become a cherished memory.
And what a wonderful meeting it was. We talked about life, shared stories, and caught up on years that had passed too quickly. Steve had the chance to reconnect with his aunt, a reunion long overdue. Through her, I also got to know Steve even more—learning about his family’s stories through her eyes—and I got to know her better, too. A lovely surprise was discovering that her daughter-in-law’s family is also Filipino, making the connection feel even more special. It was easy to imagine inviting her to the Philippines next time, to explore and experience even more of the ties that bring us all together.
It’s moments like these that remind us of the power of connection—how family, even across continents, can feel close when hearts are open. And for that, I’m grateful.
