When Vaughn volunteered at a nursing home to boost her university applications, she never expected to find a sense of belonging. Years passed, and at 25, she was still there, comforted by its creaky floors and warm atmosphere.
One afternoon, while making her rounds, Mrs. Coleman, a 90-year-old resident, unexpectedly grabbed her arm. “I know you!” she exclaimed. Vaughn was taken aback. “You used to live next door to me,” Mrs. Coleman continued. “You sang to me on my birthdays.”
Vaughn’s mind raced, flickering with half-formed memories. How could she have forgotten? They shared laughter and warmth, but time had obscured those precious moments.
“I’m sorry I forgot,” Vaughn whispered, tears brimming in her eyes. Mrs. Coleman smiled. “You saved me in ways you’ll never know.”
Feeling a newfound connection, Vaughn left that day with a sense of purpose. The next morning, she was jolted awake by a bank notification: $700,000 had been deposited into her account.
Confused, she rushed to the nursing home, only to learn that Mrs. Coleman had slipped into a coma. A nurse handed her a note from Mrs. Coleman: “Use this for your dreams, sweet girl. You deserve it.”
Overwhelmed, Vaughn decided against applying to university. Instead, she donated $50,000 to improve the nursing home and help orphans. Vaughn enrolled in nursing school, realizing that her true calling was to care for others, just as Mrs. Coleman had cared for her. This was her dream all along.