He gave his house to a father with children and, when he returned… she found something that made her cry…

She gave her house to a father with children and when she returned she found something that made her cry. They say that giving the keys to your house to someone is an act of trust. But sometimes in doing so, you not only open the door of your home, you also open the door of your heart. This is what happened to Marta, a woman who, by entrusting her house to a father with children, received a gift she had never imagined.

Marta was 65 years old, widowed for a decade. She lived alone in the large family home. The walls were full of old photos. Her young children running around the garden. Her husband Julián smiling at a birthday dinner, her mother embroidering on the armchair, but there was no one left. His children lived in other cities, each busy with his own life and Julián was no longer there. The nights were the hardest.

The echo of his footsteps was repeated like a cruel reminder. He turned on the television just so as not to hear the silence. “My house is too big for one person.” It was often repeated. One day, as she was leaving the pharmacy, Marta passed by the neighborhood square. On a bench he saw a young man of about 35 years old with three children.

The eldest, about 10 years old, was playing with a broken stroller. The one in the middle, six years old, looked at the ground as if lost in thought. And the youngest, of two, slept on her father’s chest. The man had a tired look, simple clothes, and a constantly struggling expression. Martha approached carefully. You have beautiful children, he said.

He looked up in surprise. Thank you. My name is Andrés. Little by little, between broken words, he told her his story. His wife had died a year earlier. From then on, he did his best to raise his three children alone. He had lost his job and was about to be homeless. Marta felt a lump in her throat. She saw herself reflected in him.

That feeling of emptiness of not being able to take it anymore. Andrés, she said in a trembling voice, “my house is big and I am alone. If you want, you can come with your children to stay until you find stability. He opened his eyes wide. I can’t accept that. You don’t even know me. Marta smiled. You don’t have to know yourself all your life to help. It is enough to want to do it.

Two days later, Andrés arrived with his three children. They brought an old suitcase, a box with clothes and a couple of worn-out toys. Marta received them as if they were family. He showed them the guest room. Clean sheets, a warm lamp, a scent of the band that soothed the children. The first days were timid.

The little ones spoke softly, walked slowly. Andrés helped in the kitchen, but he was reserved, as if he was afraid of invading too much. But little by little everything changed. Marta made them hot chocolate. I read them stories before bed. The children began to run through the corridors, to laugh in the garden, to fill the house with voices.

One afternoon, Marta taught them how to make cookies. The youngest, with flour on his face, said, “Grandma Martha, can I lick the spoon?” Marta felt her heart tighten. No one had called her that for years. Over time, the house was completely revived. Andrés, grateful, became a constant supporter.

He fixed the old lamp in the living room, painted the garden fence and even repaired the door that had been stuck for years. One night, while washing the dishes, he confessed to Marta, “Sometimes I feel that I fail as a father. I don’t know if I’m doing enough. Marta put her hand on his shoulder. Andrés, your children have the most important thing, your love.

Believe me, the rest is learned. From that moment on, the bond between them deepened. One Thursday afternoon, Marta received a call from her sister Clara. Marta, I need you to come. I don’t feel well. Marta did not hesitate, packed a suitcase and spoke with Andrés. The house is yours while I’m gone. I trust you.

He squeezed her hand tightly. Do not worry. I will take care of it as if it were my own. The trip took longer than expected. When Marta returned, several weeks later, she noticed something strange as she approached. The garden was full of flowers that she had never planted. The curtains of the window were different and from inside you could hear laughter and soft music.

Conini, his heart racing, put the key in the lock and went inside. The room was transformed, the walls painted in a warm tone, the furniture restored, new details in every corner. On the main wall was a huge collection of printed photos. Marta cooking with the children, reading in the garden, laughing with Andrés.

In each image, Marta smiled as she had not done for years. He felt tears blur his vision. On the table was a note. Wait for us in the living room. We have something for you. Marta entered the room and there were Andrés and the Inovine children. Each one carried something in his hands. The largest, a bouquet of flowers.

The one in the middle, a drawing of the house with all of them inside. the small, a box wrapped in shiny paper. Andrés spoke with a trembling voice. Marta, when we arrived we had nothing and you gave us everything. With my first salary and with the help of the neighbors, we painted, fixed and filled. This house of new memories opened the box.

Inside was an album with dozens of photos from those months. On each page, Martha appeared smiling, surrounded by the children. “We wanted you to see that you’re not alone anymore,” Andrew said, “because you’re part of our family now.” Marta burst into tears. He hugged them with an overflowing heart. That night, after dinner, Andrés handed her an envelope.

I have found a small flat near my work. We could move tomorrow. I don’t want to abuse your kindness anymore. Marta looked at him in silence. He felt an emptiness in his chest as he thought of the empty house again. Then, in a trembling voice, he said, “What if they don’t leave? This house is too big for me alone.

And if we make this place our forever home, the children screamed with joy and ran to hug her. Grandma Marta, they said in unison. Andrés had tears in his eyes. Yes, Marta, forever. From that day on, the house ceased to be a silent place. Every morning he smelled, breaded and coffee. Every afternoon the laughter of the children filled the garden.

And every night Marta fell asleep with her heart at peace, knowing that she was no longer alone, because she understood that sometimes opening the door of your house to someone in need not only saves their life, it can also save yours.