A boy goes to the flea market to buy old music tapes, but he takes pity on an elderly man selling an old suitcase, and that act of kindness changes his life.
Martin Farmer’s life wasn’t easy and it contained few pleasures. He was seventeen years old, but he was already carrying a heavy load of responsibility. His mother was ill, and his father had passed away two years before, leaving him as the man of the house.
Shortly after that, a motorbike accident had left Martin with severe injuries to his left leg, which ended his brilliant football career, and he had been counting on football to pay his way through college…
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Money was short so Martin worked after school every day and all day Saturdays to make ends meet and help pay for his mom’s medication. Once in a while he took $5 out of his savings and went to the local flea market to look for old music tapes from the 80s and the 90s.
Those monthly trips to the flea market were his only pleasure — his only hobby. That Sunday, Martin was recovering from a particularly hard week. He had worked hard, but his mother’s medical bills had come in the mail.
His week’s paycheck wasn’t enough to keep the wolves at bay forever, Martin knew that. He and his mother had a heated argument on Saturday night. He wanted to quit school and work full time, but his mother disagreed.
This morning he got up early, made her breakfast, and then headed out for the flea market. At least for a couple of hours, he’d stop thinking about his problems.
It was a beautiful morning so the fair was full of people browsing through the trash and treasures of other people’s lives, and Martin headed for one particular vendor he knew well.
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He was standing by the man’s table, going through a treasure trove of old tapes when an old man arrived and set up a pile of old bags and suitcases next door. The man immediately started advertising his wares:
“Suitcases, bags, and briefcases!” he cried in his old cracked voice, “Five dollars apiece, best bargain of your life!”
A woman passing by stopped, looked, and sniffed. “Old junk is what you’ve got! There’s so much mildew on that suitcase it will probably fall apart!”
“Go on, lady!” the old man wheeled. “Help an old man out! I’m clearing out my old treasures and I can sure use the money! Things are tight…”
Another man walked past and nudged a briefcase with his foot. “Old man, I wouldn’t even give a dollar for this piece of trash! You’re not going to sell anything!”
Miracles are found where and when we least expect them.
The old man shook his head. “You’re wrong. The right person will come along because this here is a suitcase full of hope,” he said. “Cause it looks like a suitcase to you, but I promise you, it’s a dream come true!”
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Martin smiled. He turned to the man and said, “I could use a lot of hope right about now! How much for the dream come true?”
“Young man,” the old man said smiling happily. “This here marvel is 100% genuine leather, made in the 1930s, and it can be yours for only $5!”
Smiling, Martin fished in his pocket for his single $5 note and handed it to the man. “Here you go,” he said.
The man was smiling hugely, and he grabbed Martin’s hand. “You’re a kind boy,” he said. “And you deserve what you’re getting!”
Martin laughed, picked up the old suitcase which was a lot heavier than he’d imagined, and waved a regretful goodbye to the music man. “Next time!” he promised and headed home for lunch.
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When he arrived home, his mother complained about the suitcase right away. “Martin! Did you have to buy junk? We have enough of that! Put it in the garage or it will fill the house with dust!”
Martin obediently carried the suitcase into the garage. He was about to place it on top of an old table when he once again noticed how heavy it was. He opened the suitcase and was surprised to see that it was filled with packages wrapped in newspaper.
Curious, he ripped the newspaper and found a wad of $20 bills! Quickly Martin unwrapped the other packages. It was all money! Thousands of dollars, hundreds of thousands of dollars!
Martin screamed for his mother and she came running. She was speechless at the sight of the piles of money. She didn’t complain about the dust…
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That night, Martin and his mom counted and recounted the money. There was $300,000! “There’s enough for the medical bills, and the medication…” said Martin.
“Oh, and for college,” said Martin’s mom. “And maybe then we pay off the mortgage…”
“But mom,” Martin said softly. “It’s not our money. The man sold me this suitcase for five dollars and he looked very poor. I’m sure he didn’t know about the money.”
Mrs. Farmer carefully put all the money back in the old suitcase. “In that case, you have to find him, Martin,” she said. “And give it all back to him.
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Over the next three weeks, Martin haunted the street markets and flea markets looking for the old man, but he was nowhere to be found. Then one day he saw him at a bus stop, carrying another old suitcase.
“Wait!” Martin cried. “Listen, do you remember me? You sold me an old suitcase? I have to give it back to you!”
“Give it back?” asked the old man. “I don’t want it back!”
“Please, you don’t understand,” Martin said. “The suitcase was full of money, your money!”
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The old man started laughing. “I know THAT!” he said. “Do you remember what I told you? The suitcase was full of hope and dreams come true. That’s what it’s for. Use it well.”
The old man turned and started to walk away, but Martin ran after him. “But I thought you were poor!”
The man smiled. “No, son. I’m a man who spent his entire life making money and now I find I have more than anyone should have. So I give it to those who are kind enough to help those in need. And that’s you!”
Martin went home and told his mother the old man’s story. They decided to use the money to help her get well and to pay for his college, and from that day on, they included the Suitcase Man in their prayers.
What can we learn from this story?
- Miracles are found where and when we least expect them. Martin and his mother were at the end of their rope when they found the money in the suitcase.
- Acts of kindness are always rewarded. Martin spent his precious $5 to help a man he thought was poorer than he was and received a gift that made his dreams come true.
Share this story with your friends. It might brighten their day and inspire them.
If you enjoyed this story, you might like this one about a young waitress who gave an old homeless man free meals after she recognizes his old broken-down western boots.
This account is inspired by our reader’s story and written by a professional writer. Any resemblance to actual names or locations is purely coincidental. All images are for illustration purposes only. Share your story with us; maybe it will change someone’s life.
Her Childhood Was Filled with Struggles, Now She’s a Famous TV Star — You Won’t Believe Her Journey
This TV star once waited in grocery lines, feeling embarrassed as she used food stamps to feed her siblings while her mother battled addiction. Today, she is a well-known TV chef. Let’s explore her incredible journey from hardship to success.
Before she became a famous TV chef, her childhood was filled with challenges. As the oldest of five children, she had to take care of her younger siblings when her mother struggled with addiction.
At a young age, she learned to handle tough situations. Going to school during the day and managing her home at night, she was forced to grow up fast. The pressure was immense, but she always found ways to provide for her family, even when it meant using food stamps to buy groceries.
Despite the difficulties, she developed a love for cooking. She started preparing meals for her siblings, finding joy in feeding her family and making simple dishes taste special. Cooking became an escape from her difficult reality and eventually turned into her passion.
Determined to change her life, she worked hard in school and later attended culinary school. Her dedication to learning and perfecting her craft opened doors to opportunities she never thought possible.
Through perseverance and talent, she landed her first job in a restaurant. Slowly, she gained recognition in the culinary world, which eventually led to a spot on a cooking show. Her warm personality and creative dishes made her a fan favorite, and she soon became a household name.
Despite her early struggles, this TV chef’s life took a positive turn, and she became a well-known figure on television. Let’s look at her journey from being on welfare to becoming successful and giving back to those in need.
A Challenging Childhood
This famous TV personality grew up in a troubled home as her mother dealt with addiction and mental health issues. “She just wouldn’t come out of the bedroom or get out of bed,” the chef once shared in an interview.
With her stepfather absent and her mother unwell, the future star, then a young girl, had to take care of her younger siblings.
We were on welfare and food stamps, and I remember going to the mailbox for that check,” she recalled. Living in a small town in Sumner, Washington, survival was difficult, and every day was a struggle.
At just two years old, she and her sister briefly lived with their grandmother, Lorraine Waldroop. But when her mother had more children, she returned to a chaotic home.
When her mother’s relationship ended, the chef, at 11 years old, had to take full responsibility for her siblings, feeding them with food stamps and managing the household.
One painful memory was standing in line at the grocery store, holding food stamps, when a wealthy girl from school saw her. “It was mortifying,” she admitted.
Despite these hardships, she found joy in cooking. She learned to cook for her family, a skill sparked by her grandmother.
Though she loved cooking, her home life left scars. Asked later if she stayed in touch with her mother, the chef said, “I haven’t had anything to do with her since I was 15.”
A Rise to Fame and Personal Battles
Lee became famous for creating simple, budget-friendly recipes that connected with everyday families. She had multiple TV series and became a household name.
One of her recent projects was “Blue Ribbon Baking Championship,” a Netflix series featuring bakers from state fairs competing for a $100,000 prize.
Though successful in her career, Lee faced personal challenges. In 2015, she was diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), a type of breast cancer.
She underwent a double mastectomy and reconstructive surgery. Reflecting on her battle, she said, “I want people to know we are all beautiful, at every step.”
Her diagnosis forced her to step away from her hit cooking show, which had run for 15 seasons. But her health crisis wasn’t the only challenge.
Lee’s long-term relationship with New York Governor Andrew Cuomo ended in 2019, making headlines. “He said something, and I knew it was over,” Lee recalled, without sharing details.
After the breakup, Lee moved to Los Angeles to heal, away from the public eye. Despite these setbacks, she returned with renewed energy.
Along with her Netflix show, she launched “Dinner Budget Showdown” on Roku, focusing again on affordable cooking. She also found happiness with actor and producer Ben Youcef, and they recently celebrated their third anniversary.
Lee credits Youcef with helping her learn to love and trust again. After her breakup with Cuomo, she now enjoys a more peaceful and private life.
Giving Back
While busy with her career, Lee dedicates much of her time to philanthropy. She is a strong advocate for breast cancer awareness and early detection, using her personal story to inspire others.
Her difficult childhood also drives her passion for fighting food insecurity. “I help when I can,” she said about balancing her work and personal life.
Lee explains that she divides her life carefully: “A third of my life is spent on business, a third on family and friends, and a third on philanthropy.”
As for aging, Lee, now 58, shared, “When you hit 50, you realize you’re more than halfway through. Your body changes, and you have to pay attention.”
She added that while being on TV can make people feel pressure to look a certain way, “Do whatever makes you feel hot!”
A Triumph Over Adversity
Today, Sandra Lee’s story is one of overcoming challenges. From her difficult childhood to becoming a beloved TV chef, she has turned her struggles into success.
Through her work on and off the screen, she continues to inspire millions, showing that no matter where you start, you can achieve greatness.
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