I was still reeling from Dad’s funeral. Each of us had received something special from him. My sister got one of his rings, my brother got his collection of vintage vinyl, and I got his classic Mustang. Dad and I had worked on that car together for years. But the car had more to it than I first thought.
After the funeral, I drove home in the Mustang. The familiar rumble of the engine was comforting, a reminder of all the hours Dad and I had spent working on it. As I turned onto my street, I noticed a cop car following me. He didn’t have his lights on, so I kept driving, assuming it was just a coincidence. But as I pulled into my driveway, the cop car did too. My heart started to race. What could this be about?
A classic mustang | Source: Pexels
I parked the car and was about to get out when the officer rushed up to me.
“Stay in your vehicle!” he shouted, his hand resting on his holster.
“What’s going on?” I asked, my hand frozen on the door handle. My mind raced with possibilities, but none of them made any sense.
A policeman in his car | Source: Pexels
“Open your trunk now!” he demanded, his tone leaving no room for argument.
I blinked, confused. “Why? What’s happening?”
“Just do it!” he barked, his eyes hard and unyielding.
A policeman in his car | Source: Pexels
With trembling hands, I reached for the trunk release lever. The trunk popped open with a click, and the officer pushed past me, heading straight for the back of the car. He lifted the bottom lining of the trunk and started rummaging around. His back was to me, so I couldn’t see what he was doing.
“You thought you could get away with this!” he said, his voice dripping with accusation.
“What are you talking about?” I stammered, my mind racing with fear and confusion.
“I’m not talking to you!”
A cop barking order | Source: Pexels
He walked directly to the car, lifted the divider at the bottom of the trunk, and pulled something out. The officer’s body blocked my view and I couldn’t see what he was holding. I felt cold sweat trickle down my spine. What could possibly be in my trunk?
I leaned out of the window, trying to get a better look. “Officer, I don’t understand. Can you please tell me what’s going on?”
A man opening a trunk | Source: Pexels
Still ignoring me, the officer took a step back, revealing what he had found. In his hand was a small, black box. It looked old and worn, with a faint symbol on the top that I didn’t recognize.
“What is that?” I asked, my voice shaking.
The officer finally looked at me, his expression a mix of anger and something else—maybe disbelief? “You really don’t know, do you?”
An old box | Source: Pexels
I shook my head, completely lost. “No, I have no idea. I’ve never seen that before.”
The officer narrowed his eyes. “You expect me to believe that?”
“It’s the truth!” I insisted, my voice rising in panic. “I just got this car from my dad. He left it to me after he passed away. I don’t know anything about a stolen item.”
A stern-looking policeman | Source: Pexels
The officer studied me for a moment, then seemed to soften slightly. “You said this car was your dad’s?”
“Yes,” I said, nodding vigorously. “He and I worked on it together for years. I only drove it home today after the funeral.”
He glanced down at the box in his hand, then back at me. “And you really have no idea who I am?”
Astern cop | Source: Pexels
“Look, Officer, if there’s anything I can help you with, I will. But I swear I have no idea what’s going on.”
The cop’s face softened and I saw him opening the box. Suddenly, I realized he had started to cry.
“What happened? What’s going on?” I asked, my voice filled with concern.
A policeman talking to a man | Source: Pexels
He looked up at me, tears streaming down his face. “I was at your dad’s funeral. I’m sorry about him, by the way. We grew up together, studied, and worked as partners for some time. Then, he moved away.”
At that moment, I remembered seeing him at the funeral, holding a letter in his hand.
A man crying | Source: Pexels
“A lawyer came to me and handed me this letter,” he said, taking it out of his pocket. “Your dad wrote that I was the one who helped him overcome his mom’s death when he was a kid.”
A letter | Source: Pexels
He handed me the letter, and I began to read:
Jonathan,
I know we haven’t seen each other in a while, life is strange that way. Those closest to you can be the ones you see the least just because you’re each on your own path.
Still, I’ve missed you a lot old friend. I’ll never forget all the support you showed me when my mom passed away. You know, I felt ostracized back then. I was the kid without a mom. But you never let me be alone, and for that I’ll always be grateful.
I kept all the toys you gave me. Even the sweets, I’m a little embarrassed to say. I could never get myself to eat them, they meant too much to me.
I know I’ll be passing away soon, I just couldn’t beat the cancer, but I wanted you to have the box with the toys. It’s in my old Mustang that I’m leaving to Bill, my oldest.
If he doesn’t bring it to you, he must not have found it yet. Show him this letter.
It’s hidden in the trunk for safekeeping.
All the best.
Your pal,
Man reading a letter | Source: Pexels
Jonathan showed me the box filled with toys, sports cards, letters, and old candies. I could see the history and love in each item.
“When his mom died, he became so quiet and sad,” Jonathan said, his voice soft and reflective. “I wanted him to get better, I wanted my friend back. So, I gave him my favorite toys. We played with them — cars, even candies, which, as you see, he never tasted. He just enjoyed having them.”
A man crying | Source: Pexels
I felt a lump in my throat and tears welling up in my eyes. The box, the letter, the memories — it was all so overwhelming. “He never told us about this,” I said, my voice cracking. “I had no idea.”
Jonathan nodded. “Arnie was always a private person. But he valued our friendship more than anything. He wanted you to know about it, to understand the bond we had.”
Two boys playing together | Source: Pexels
I started crying too, the emotions too strong to hold back. I handed the box to Jonathan, feeling a deep connection to this man who had been such a big part of my dad’s life. “Thank you for being there for him,” I said through my tears. “And thank you for sharing this with me.”
Jonathan smiled, his own tears still flowing. “It was an honor to be his friend. And now, I hope we can be friends too. Your dad meant the world to me, and I see so much of him in you.”
Two boys playing | Source: Pexels
Over time, Jonathan became a close family friend. I got to know his kids and family, and in many ways, he partially replaced my dad too. We spent holidays together, shared stories, and kept my dad’s memory alive.
Jonathan often visited, bringing with him stories of his and Dad’s adventures, filling the void Dad’s passing had left. His kids became like siblings to me, and his family embraced me as one of their own. It felt like I had gained a whole new family.
Two men hugging | Source: Pexels
One day, Jonathan and I sat in my dad’s old Mustang, the box of toys between us. “Your dad would be proud of you, Bill,” he said, patting my shoulder. “He always talked about how much he loved you.”
I smiled, feeling a warmth in my heart. “Thanks, Jonathan. And thank you for everything. You’ve given me a piece of my dad that I didn’t even know was missing.”
Two men hugging | Source: Pexels
As we sat there, surrounded by memories and the legacy of my dad’s love and friendship, I realized that even in death, he had brought us together. And in that, there was a kind of peace.
Here’s another story about a man who left his son-in-law a surprising inheritance.
BROKEN HEARTS
LOVED Saoírse Ruane, who was on The Late Late Toy Show, died of cancer when she was only 12.
The brave girl from Galway, whose appearance on the Toy Show won hearts across the country, died on Tuesday, her family said this morning.
Saoírse was diagnosed with cancer in November 2019 after complaining of an injured ankle. In 2020, her leg was cut off because an Osteosarcoma tumor in her tibia was found to be cancerous and likely to kill her.
When Saoírse joined Ryan Tubridy on the Late Late Toy Show in 2020, her story became well known.
The Galway girl’s fight against a rare form of bone cancer amazed everyone with how strong and tough she was.
The death of Saoírse has broken the hearts of her parents, Roseanna and Ollie, and her little sister Farrah-Rose.
They told everyone about their terrible loss by saying, “After a long brave and dignified battle, our hearts are shattered to tell you that our beautiful little Saoírse took her last breath in our arms on Tuesday.”
“Thank you to all of our wonderful fans for thinking about Saoírse and us over the past few weeks.
“Today, we also think of you because we know how much the country loved Saoírse and how she changed the lives of so many people.”
“Cancer, you took her away from us. You also took away our dreams and the life we had.” Things will never be the same!
Please give us some space as we go on our last and final trip with our beautiful girl. “Farrah Rose and Mamma Dadda.”
President Michael D. Higgins and stars from all over show business have paid tribute to the beloved girl. Her story was told on The Toy Show the first year they started their huge charity campaign.
through her battle, Saoírse’s family gave a “devastating” health update in November of last year, saying that her cancer had spread.
After a recurring tumor was found in her left lung earlier in 2023, they said it was a “huge shock” to them that the cancer had spread to her other lung.
It was Saoírse’s “biggest battle to date” because she had to go through more chemotherapy.
In April, Roseanna said, “Little did they know that their world was about to fall apart again.”
“To say we’re devastated just doesn’t cover it,” she said. It’s not fair that she’s been to war so many times and fought so hard.
Saoírse had already had a few dreams come true, like going to Old Trafford to see Manchester United play and going on her dream vacation to Disneyland.
When people heard that Saoírse had died, they sent her a lot of tributes.
The office of President Michael D. Higgins said, “President Higgins has sent his deepest condolences to the family of Saoírse Ruane from Kiltullagh, Co. Galway, after her death at the age of 12.” Everyone was moved by Saoírse’s strength and kindness.
Tanaiste Micheal Martin also said, “Very saddened by the death of Saoírse Ruane.”
“I will always remember meeting Saoirse and her mother Roseanna in Croke Park and seeing her beautiful smile and love for GAA.”
“The Toy Show Appeal is an amazing thing she left behind.” We’re very sorry for her family and friends’ loss.
Tubs’ tears
After Saoirse’s appearance on The Toy Show, Ryan Tubridy, who used to host Late Late, became friends with her family. He said that the “world is a poorer place” without her.
According to him, hearing the news of his dear young friend Saoírse Ruane’s death made him feel the saddest thoughts possible.
“As soon as we met, we became friends.” People all over the country fell in love with her, and because of her, a charity was founded. Through this, she helped make the lives of thousands of Irish children better and more hopeful.
“A child who is selfless, humble, kind, hopeful, and thoughtful.” She was everything our country should and could be, and her death will make a lot of us think about things.
“My condolences and all the love I can muster go out to Roseanna, Ollie, and Farrah Rose. They are a beautiful family whose whole world has been turned upside down by this tragedy.”
“Thank them for letting us all know about their amazing Saorse.”
“The world is a poorer place without Saoírse but I do hope that twinkle in her eye shines on and on.”
The legacy of Saoírse
Roz Purcell, a radio host on RTE 2FM, said, “No one will forget Saoírse; she left a huge mark and mark on Ireland.”
“In 12 years, she did so much.” May she rest in peace. Think about all of her family and friends who will miss her a lot.
Patrick O’Mahony, the captain of Ireland’s rugby team, said, “I’m very sorry to read this.” She was an inspiration.
Rosana, I’m so sorry, said Kathryn Thomas of RTE. Your lovely daughter made our lives so much better.
“A small part of what she brought into your life.” That smile is great. Thinking about all of you. “Take it easy, little angel.”
Today FM It was DJ Declan Pierce who wrote, “My beautiful friend. It breaks my heart so much.
“The best thing about my job is getting to know Saoírse through the radio show. From the bottom of my heart, I love you all the time.
Singer RuthAnne wrote on her blog, “Heartbroken. She was truly unique, and her bravery knew no bounds.”
“I am so thankful that I met her and had the chance to sing with her. What an honor!”
“That is something I will always treasure and hold close to my heart. Lots of love and light to everyone.”
Saoirse’s funeral will be held at St. Peter and Paul’s Church, Kiltullagh, on Sunday at 1.45 p.m.
It also said, “Saoírse will rest at home on Friday, March 8, from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.”
“From the Bullaun Church parking lot (H62 YH66), a bus service will leave. Please follow the stewards’ instructions and only use the bus service to get to the event.”
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