Her dad’s name is Jim, and his life hasn’t been easy. When he was young, he was in a terrible accident caused by a drunk driver. The crash changed his life forever. He spent weeks in a coma, survived countless surgeries, and doctors didn’t even expect him to wake up. Even after he did, his body and mind were not the same. He has seizures, trouble with memory, and permanent physical disabilities because of injuries to his brain and limbs. Despite all that, he worked hard for many years and showed strength every day.
For over three decades, Dad worked at an oil and gas company. Even though it wasn’t easy for him, he loved going to work. The people he worked with became more than just coworkers; they became friends and family to him. Dad lived paycheck to paycheck, but he always made sure we had what we needed: a safe home, food on the table, and a loving family. He taught them the values of compassion, gratitude, and generosity. If someone needed help, Dad was always the first to give it.
Dad is the kind of father who would play with them after work, even when his legs hurt. He would curl my hair on Sunday mornings before church, play ball with her brother for hours, or draw cards for friends and neighbors who were sick just to bring a little joy into their day. When she was young, Dad’s foot was once run over by a truck, but his first question wasn’t about his own pain. Instead, he asked if she was okay. That’s who he has always been: loving and selfless.
Last year, things changed. Dad was laid off from his job. He had worked there for so long, and losing that routine was hard on him. He missed the people, the purpose, and the sense of belonging that came with going to work every day. Because of his health and disabilities, finding new work wasn’t possible. We still had each other, and they still had faith, but everywhere she looked, she could see how much Dad missed having something to contribute.
For a while, she noticed Dad collecting his pocket change and putting it into a cup in his room. She didn’t think much of it. He has always been careful with money. But one evening when she came home from her part-time job, she walked into her bedroom and saw something that made her burst into tears. On her bed was a small pill bottle filled with quarters, dimes, nickels, and pennies. Next to it was a handwritten note. It read: “$11.19. Coffee money. Love, Dad.”
Suddenly, everything made sense. Dad had been saving little bits of change for weeks, and he hadn’t told me why. She realized he was saving money so she could buy coffee, something she enjoyed and something he knew made her day a little brighter. That simple act of love moved her in a way she will never forget. The amount wasn’t what mattered; it was the thought behind it. Even though Dad could barely afford it, and even though he wasn’t working anymore, he wanted to give her something special. At first, she didn’t think anything of Dad saving his change. But when she saw that bottle and note, she realized that Dad had done something beautiful and selfless.
He didn’t talk about his struggles or his hard days. He didn’t tell her that he missed going to work or that he sometimes felt like a burden. Instead, he showed his love in the simplest way he knew how by giving her coffee money from his savings, just because he cared. She shared a photo of the pill bottle and a note on Twitter, not thinking much would happen. To her surprise, people around the world were touched by Dad’s gesture. Their comments and messages reminded her that kindness matters, and that even the smallest actions can change someone’s day.
Many people also encouraged her to start a GoFundMe to help Dad, and she realized that this was another way to share Dad’s message of love with others. Dad never asks for help, and he never shows his struggles. But his kindness, his sense of humor, and his generous heart define who he is more than his disabilities ever could. She hopes his story reminds people that no matter how hard life gets, love and even small acts of love can make a world of difference.
