The first day of school is a special milestone for any student, but for one family in Wisconsin, it’s extra special. Two sisters Mia and Samantha, their mom Amy and grandmother Christy attended Carthage College together this fall.

Amy said, “I’m really proud to be watching my daughters grow up and be more mature and have new experiences, and very happy to see my mom achieve something that she’s always wanting to do.”

Mia shared that she always felt her two older role models would return to school someday. To 19-year-old Samantha, her mom and grandmother’s entry to university was rather a surprise. “It was clear that Mia and I were admitted. And then all of a sudden, they were admitted too,” Samantha remembered. “It was really surprising. And I didn’t expect it.”

Amy, a mother of five children, has worked at Carthage College for over two decades and wanted to be enrolled one day. Calling herself “Carthage’s biggest fan”, she said she felt like she now had the time to pursue higher studies.

As for 71-year-old Christy, she retired three years ago but is still eager to learn. In fact, she still continues to support and volunteer at local nonprofits. Christy said she was also inspired by her son Joshua, who is pursuing his second master’s degree. She has decided to go forward with a master’s degree in business, design and innovation alongside her daughter.

The women are inspirational to anyone who doesn’t want their age to block their dreams. Amy advised everyone to go after what they want because life is too short. “Put that doubt aside and just go for it,” she said. Christy added, “Never hesitate to follow your fear. In my life, it has led me to my greatest opportunities and has also built my greatest strengths. If I always stayed in my comfort zone, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”

I was in lodgings(寄宿处) now, on my own, but the other lodgers had constant visitors up and down the stairs past my door. None of this disturbed me except one girl who sang softly to herself an old Russian folk song as she ran up to the room above. It was a sound of sweetness, musical, soft, unselfconscious and happy. I began to listen out for it, jumped up from my table, and threw open the door to catch a glimpse(一瞥) of her as she passed, but I was always too late. I asked the people upstairs who she was, and described the beautiful sounds she made. They became rather reserved(拘谨) and exchanged glances and hurriedly admitted it might be Sally. I thought she was someone special, not to be discussed in the ordinary way, and became a little curious to meet her. But the last thing I wanted at that stage was to get caught up with anybody. I’d just come to the end of a rather painful friendship, and now I had work to do.

One day, I came face to face with a girl on the landing. It was certainly her: whoever made that noise would look as she did. We stood and stared at each other too long for comfort. I broke the moment and, excusing myself, moved past her because it was too like the movies. I thought for some time of that long, silent stare, and laughed. She was tall and looked proud, with a slight round-shouldered look that made me breathless and I didn’t know why.

Last night at work, a girl came in and sat at the bar. She asked for a cup of water and a menu and eventually ordered a bacon cheeseburger which costs roughly $12 at my restaurant.

After eating for a few minutes, she asked me for a napkin(餐巾) and a pen. I saw her writing on the napkin but didn’t think anything of it. When I turned around, she was gone. As I went to clear her plate, I noticed that she had left a $100 bill along with a note that read, “Today marks my 14th day of chemo(化疗) along with my 26th birthday. Life’s been good to me so far, and I think I will pass my luck on to someone else. Have a great night!”

I have never been so touched by a stranger in my entire life. About 3 months ago, my own mother was diagnosed with lung cancer, so this hit very close to home. Having just witnessed my mother completed her first 5-week cycle of chemo, I know the pain and exhaustion this young woman is feeling. On top of the chemo, she was selfless enough on her own birthday that she gave a stranger a gift.

This young woman has completely touched my soul and has affected my life in a way that I will never forget. I hope to see her again one day, so I can tell her how much her random act of kindness has touched me and finally changed my life.

Thank you for being such a beautiful person and I pray that you get well.

Thank you for making the world a better place.