My Grandpa Raised Me Alone – After His Funeral, I Learned His Biggest Secret

“Lila, your grandfather came in here 18 years ago and set up a very specific, restricted education trust in your name.

He made deposits into that account every month.”

The truth hit me like a train.

Grandpa hadn’t been poor; he had been intentionally, methodically, frugal. Every time he said, “We can’t afford that, kiddo,” he was really saying, “I can’t afford that right now because I’m building you a dream.”

Then Ms. Reynolds held out an envelope to me.

“He insisted I give you this letter when you came in. It was written several months ago.”

I picked up the envelope.

My fingers trembled as I unfolded the single sheet of paper inside.

My dearest Lila,

If you are reading this, it means I can’t walk you to campus myself, and that breaks my old heart. I’m so sorry, kiddo.

I know I said “no” a lot, didn’t I? I hated doing that, but I had to make sure you got to live your dream of saving all those children, just like you told me you wanted to.

This house is yours, the bills are paid for a while, and the trust is more than enough for your tuition, books, and a nice, new phone, too!

I’m so proud of you, my girl.

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