It’s hard to believe that six years have passed since that day. Now that I’m 18, I look back and realize just how significant one small act of kindness can be. My grandma is still alive and doing well, and it’s all thanks to something I did when I was just a kid.

Back then, I was 12, running a quick errand for her at the grocery store. While waiting in line, I saw a woman in front of me struggling at the checkout.

“Oh no, I must’ve lost my wallet,” she said, frantically searching through her bag. “I’m so sorry, I’ll have to come back for these later.”

She was about to leave when I spoke up.

“Wait, ma’am,” I said without thinking. “You don’t have many items. I can pay for them.”

“Oh, no, I couldn’t ask you to do that,” she replied, clearly surprised by a 12-year-old offering to help.

“I insist,” I said. “My grandmother always says that when we do good things,…

She hesitated but finally agreed.

“I’m really grateful,” she said. “I’m Mary. And you are?”

“I’m Mark,” I replied.

“Thank you again, Mark,” she smiled. “Could I have your phone number so I can pay you back once I find my wallet?”

I wrote my number on the receipt and handed it to her. “Don’t worry about it. There’s no rush. I live close by.”

She thanked me once more before leaving the store.

At the time, I didn’t think much of it. My focus was on my grandma, who was in the hospital needing expensive surgery we couldn’t afford. I had set up a GoFundMe, but it wasn’t going well.

A few days later, I heard a knock on the door. Mary showed up with her daughter, Anastacia, to return the money.

“Thank you again, Mark,” Mary said. “How’s your grandma? Is she around?”

I explained our situation, and they were shocked to hear that I was raising money for her surgery on my own. Then, something incredible happened. They offered to help.

Anastacia shared our GoFundMe with everyone she knew and even posted the story on Reddit, explaining how I had helped her mom.

At first, I didn’t think much would come of it, but soon the story started gaining attention.

Before I knew it, donations were rolling in, and the story went viral.

In the end, we raised $230,000—enough to cover my grandma’s surgery. I was in disbelief.

All it took was me spending $20 to help Mary, and somehow, that simple act of kindness helped save my grandma’s life.

Thanks to Mary and Anastacia, my grandma received the care she needed, and I’ll never forget how one small good deed turned everything around.