Joseph Benjamin had a few fantasies. At 72, the widower father of two understood what life had in store for him every day. He awoke with the light and rode to the bakery for fresh buns.

He’d ride back, have breakfast, perform some chores, and then wait for lunch. He pottered around his tiny workshop in the afternoons, fiddling with his creations till dinner, and then he was in bed by nightfall. Life had always been the same for him until he met April and Emma.

Joe began his day by riding his bike to the bakery, but on the way, he noticed a young woman in a gray tracksuit struggling with an old-fashioned, awkward stroller.

One of the stroller’s wheels had fallen off, and the mother appeared to be pushing it back into position while her baby cried in protest inside the uneven stroller.

“Excuse me,” Joe politely remarked. “Do you need help?”

Joe noticed tears in the woman’s eyes when she glanced up. “Yes,” she confirmed. “I think I do!” She then began weeping, much to Joe’s chagrin.

A random act of kindness may transform your life.

“Please don’t cry,” Joe urged as he uncomfortably patted the woman on the shoulder. “Everything will be as good as new in no time!”

“I’m so stupid!” cried the lady. “I should have never brought this old stroller out, but… It was mine when I was a baby, you see.”

“That’s very nice!” Joe stated. “I saved all of my children’s old toys, and my grandchildren adore them!”

“Yes!” answered the woman with a smile. I also have all of my old children’s books and toys! But I didn’t think the stroller was that out of place. It was in the attic of my parents’ old house that I became sentimental.”

“Let’s see what we can do,” Joe said. He knelt alongside the pram and pulled his little tool kit from the bike’s panniers. “Aha! It isn’t broken!” It popped out because one of the lug nuts was loose.”

Joe fiddled with the wheel for a few moments before saying, “You’d better take the baby out; the wheel might give you a jolt when it pops back into place.”

The mother scooped up the infant and watched as Joe firmly pulled the wheel back into place. “There,” Joe said. “Fixed and ready to roll!”

As she embraced her baby, the mom smiled pleasantly. “Thank you,” she sobbed. “You look like a knight in shining armor!” You keep my first day back in Cheyenne from turning into a horrible nightmare!”

“Where were you living?” Joe inquired.

“I went to college in California,” the lady explained.

“You’re fortunate; I’ve never been to California or anywhere else!” I’ve never been to the beach.” Joe made a remark.

“California is lovely,” replied the woman. “But I want my daughter to grow up in my old home.”

“I wish my kids felt the same,” Joe lamented. “I can go years without seeing them or the grandchildren.” “What is the name of your little girl?”

“Emma,” the lady said. “And I’m April!”

“I’m Joe,” he introduced himself, shaking her hand. “Your parents are extremely lucky!”

April’s eyes welled up with tears once more. “They passed away about a year ago,” she said. “And I’m missing them so much!”

“Listen, April,” Joe instructed. “How about you and Emma go have coffee with an old man?”

Joe escorted April and Emma across the street to his favorite coffee shop. While Emma reclined in her stroller and played with her toes, the two adults talked.

“Hey, Joe,” April introduced herself. “Emma and I are going on a short trip tomorrow; why don’t you join us?”

Joe accepted the offer, so April made arrangements to pick him up at his place early the next morning. When a large, black sedan with a driver arrived, he was still standing on the porch.

It was April’s vehicle! Joe was taken aback. “Wow!” he exclaimed. “Wow, what a cool automobile!” “However, where are we going?”

April, who was dressed in a large hat, smiled. “It’s a pleasant surprise!” What a pleasant surprise that turned out to be! They were driven directly to the airport and onto the tarmac.

“Come on, Joe,” April encouraged. “Get the hell out!” So Joe did, and he got the scare of his life when he noticed a gorgeous, sleek private jet taxiing towards them.

“What’s going on?” Joe screamed, terrified.

“We’re going to the beach,” April said, her face beaming. “You’re going to see the ocean!” says the narrator.

Joe boarded the plane. He couldn’t believe his eyes! “Me, flying!” said he. “Seeing the sea!” I still can’t believe it!”

“I really wanted to surprise you,” April explained. “Because YOU were a delightful surprise.” Few people care to stop and assist a mother in distress, Joe. You’re a gentleman who deserves great things!”

April had inherited her parents’ private jet charter firm, and she always had a plane on call. Joe became a regular visitor to April’s vacations and getaways, as did Emma’s grandfather.

Life may be full of wonderful surprises. Joe believed he understood what life had in store for him, but he was mistaken. At the age of 72, he became a surrogate grandfather and frequent flyer!

A random act of kindness may transform your life. When Joe rushed to the young mother’s aid, he had no idea she was a millionaire who would fulfill his goal of meeting her.