A woman doesn’t want her father to walk her down the aisle because she is embarrassed by his wheelchair. However, when she sees him on TV a few days before the wedding, she regrets her decision and changes her mind.
When Lisa Terrell’s mother died when she was just two years old, her father, Edward, took up her care. Caroline Terrell had died in a terrible hurricane that hit their town years ago, demolishing their home and leaving Edward in a wheelchair due to a severe injury.
Nonetheless, nothing could stop Edward from raising Lisa with love and giving her the finest of everything. He was a well-known journalist and began working remotely following his injury to provide for them.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Unsplash
However, most people in Lisa’s life were unaware she had a father until he paid her a surprise visit at her school one day.
Lisa had always told her friends that her father was too busy to spend time with her, which is why he never attended school functions or parent meetings. However, the reality was that the invitations never made it to Edward since Lisa was embarrassed by him and didn’t want her friends to see him.
She adored him as a youngster, but as she grew up, the image of her father in a wheelchair mortified her and wrecked her relationship with him.
She was confused as she looked at the television and noticed her father sitting alongside the host.
Still, Edward never reneged on his duties. He was always there for his daughter and saved enough money to send her to a top university.
On the other hand, Lisa did not want him by his side. In fact, when she met her boyfriend, Harrison, at university, and they decided to marry after graduation, she didn’t want Edward to be there for the wedding.
As a result, she freaked out when Harrison asked her to invite Edward to dinner at his parents’ place. His parents were wealthy and of the upper crust. What would they think if they saw an elderly man in their home in a wheelchair? Lisa was ashamed by the very thought of it.
However, based on Harrison’s enthusiasm in inviting Edward to dinner, Lisa realized she didn’t have an out this time. So she had to fake a grin and say she’d ask Edward if he was free.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Unsplash
When Lisa told Edward about the invitation to dinner, he was more than just free. He was overjoyed for Lisa for finding someone who adored her.
On the night of the dinner, he dressed nicely in a suit and Harrison’s family received him warmly. The young man’s parents were impressed that Edward had reared a daughter on his own. Besides, Edward had a wonderful sense of humor, and everyone had a great time at the dinner. Everyone except Lisa, whose cheeks were flushed crimson with shame the entire time since the man in a wheelchair was her father…
A few weeks before the wedding, Lisa made up her mind. She confronted Edward one night over dinner and notified him that he would not be on the wedding guest list.
“Dad, I wanted to talk to you about the wedding,” she began, glancing at her plate and moving her fork around the spaghetti.
“Yes? What exactly is it, honey?” Edward inquired. “Is there something bugging you about the wedding, the expenses? If that’s the case, I have some bonds that we could use. After all, I did keep it for you…”
“No, dad! It’s just that,” Lisa paused for a moment, “Harrison and I intend to hold the wedding here in New York, but the problem is that we’re having it at one of the city’s largest hotels, and… I just thought it would be best if you didn’t attend the event. You know, there would be way too many guests!”
Edward’s smile vanished as he stared at Lisa, speechless. “I – I don’t understand…What’s the problem?”
Lisa sighed and fixed her gaze on him. “Look, Dad, it’s just that… The guests will be exclusive, and they’re all businessmen and high-class people. Imagine a man in a wheelchair walking his daughter down the aisle in front of them… I don’t know…It’s just weird.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Unsplash
“A man in a wheelchair is weird?” Edward’s eyes welled up. He couldn’t believe Lisa was indirectly cutting him off the wedding guest list. But he grasped the cue and forced a grin, hiding his tears from her.
“Is that it? Oh, you’re right! After all, this old age is catching up with me,” he said, faking a laugh. “I may not be able to handle such a large gathering. It’s ok – it’s ok!”
“Thanks for understanding, dad,” Lisa said bluntly and went away to her room. Before dissing Edward, she didn’t think twice about all the years of love and care he’d given her, but eventually, she regretted it.
A few days later, she was watching a show titled “American Heroes” on TV when the emcee announced Edward’s name. She was confused as she looked at the television and noticed her father sitting alongside the host.
Soon after, the camera focused on a screen that displayed images of Edward in a wheelchair and the hurricane that had hit their town years before. He turned out to be one of the brave journalists who had managed to save his family and help his neighbors throughout the disaster.
Edward had a solemn expression as he narrated the whole story of how he’d managed to help people, especially his family.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Unsplash
“I will never forget that day. It was terrible… we lost practically everything,” he explained. “My wife died in the accident, and my daughter was just two years old at the time. As the debris surrounding us fell, I noticed my daughter standing right there…underneath that spot where it was falling.
“I went to save her and took her into my arms, but as I ran, a large section of the ceiling cracked and crashed on my back, causing a spine injury that prevented me from walking again.”
Lisa’s jaw sank to the floor, and her tears welled up when she heard that. “Dad saved me?” she was shocked.
“It was hard for me,” Edward continued. “But you know, you can’t really avoid your fate. So I gathered courage, knowing I just couldn’t give up in life, especially because I know I had a daughter who was now reliant on her father.”
Lisa was utterly embarrassed about herself at this point. She cried after Edward’s interview, cursing herself for being a terrible daughter, and decided to make it up to him.
So on her wedding day, she did walk down the aisle with Edward, but before the wedding ceremony began, she needed to tell the guests something VERY important…
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Unsplash
As she took the microphone near the altar, she approached Edward, who was sitting among the guests, fell on her knees, and hugged him. “I know this is one of the most important days of my life, and I’ve been waiting for it for so long!” she cried, holding his hands in hers. “But none of this would have been possible if my father had not been by my side.”
“Ever since mom passed away, I never saw dad saying even once how hard it was for him to raise me alone. He did have hard days, but he never showed me the slightest hint of it. But what did I do? I was about to remove him from the wedding list because I was embarrassed about him being in a wheelchair. Yes, that’s right!”
“If only I had known that dad is in a wheelchair because he injured his back while saving me, I’d have never ever done that. I have been horrible to the man who loves me the most!”
“So I’d like to apologize to him in front of everyone today. I apologize for being the worst daughter to you, dad,” she said, facing him. “You can hate me for the rest of my life. I am sorry.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Unsplash
Edward wasn’t expecting Lisa to own her mistake publicly. He was surprised but at the same time overcome with emotions at seeing his daughter realize her error, so he forgave her.
“Oh, come here,” he cried, embracing her. “Everyone makes mistakes,” he said. “But if you recognize them and work to fix them, you should be forgiven.”
Everyone was moved to tears and applauded the heartwarming reunion.
What can we learn from this story?
- Love and respect your parents because they go above and beyond for you. Liza realized this when she heard her father’s story on TV and apologized to him for being rude.
- Everyone makes mistakes, and if they realize it, they should be forgiven. Edward forgave her daughter when he saw she felt guilty for what she’d done.
I Offered a Homeless Man a Job out of Desperation — the Next Morning, I Was Shocked by What He Had Done to My Office
Facing the collapse of his career and his family’s business, Jason made a desperate decision: he hired a homeless man to pose as a consultant for one crucial meeting. Little did he know, that unlikely move would turn out to be the key to saving everything he had worked for.
I was out of time. The words my father had said to me last night played over and over in my head like a broken record: “Fix this or you’re out.” Simple. Cold. Final.
A serious man | Source: Pexels
Our company wasn’t just any company. It was the family business. My grandfather started it, my dad built it up, and now I was supposed to keep it going. “Supposed to,” being the key phrase.
I could still picture his face, hard as stone. He was the boss, not just of the company, but of the family. And when he made a decision, it was done. No arguments. No excuses.
A sad man | Source: Pexels
I glanced at my watch. Twenty-four hours. That’s all I had left to fill the specialist position or I was done. Gone. Finished.
The problem was, no one wanted the job. It wasn’t easy. I needed a real genius, someone who knew the ins and outs of the system we were developing.
A young man deep in thought | Source: Pexels
The contract was bigger than anything our company had ever handled. If we messed it up, the whole business could go under. And right now, it looked like that was exactly what was going to happen.
I had spent six months searching for the right person. Every interview was a disaster. Too inexperienced, not skilled enough, or just plain wrong for the job. And now, the clock was ticking.
A man holding a job interview | Source: Pexels
I left the office and walked down the street, my head pounding. I needed to think, to come up with some sort of solution, anything that could save me. But all I could feel was the pressure. The weight of the clock ticking down on my shoulders. The fear of disappointing my father.
I found myself wandering into a small coffee shop. The place was warm, the smell of freshly brewed coffee filling the air. But even the comfort of the shop did nothing to calm the storm in my mind. I was out of ideas. I was out of time.
A small coffee shop | Source: Pexels
As I left the shop, I noticed a man sitting on the curb. He was bundled up in a ragged coat, his hair messy, his eyes dull. He was homeless, no doubt. He sat there, staring down at the sidewalk like it held all the answers to life’s biggest questions.
I don’t know why I stopped. Maybe it was the desperation. Maybe it was the sheer insanity of the situation. But I stood there, looking at this man, and a crazy thought popped into my head.
A homeless man | Source: Pexels
What if?
Without thinking, I walked over to him. “Hey,” I said.
He looked up, squinting at me like I was speaking a foreign language. “Yeah?”
“I know this sounds nuts, but…how’d you like a job? Just for a day.”
He blinked, his face expressionless. “What’s the catch?”
A cardboard sign | Source: Pexels
“No catch. I need someone to sit in on a meeting. Pretend you’re a consultant. I’ll pay you. No strings attached.”
For a long second, he just stared at me. Then, to my surprise, he smirked. “You serious?”
I nodded. “Completely.”
He scratched his chin, his eyes narrowing. “And all I gotta do is sit in a meeting?”
A man looking away | Source: Pexels
“That’s it.”
He let out a short laugh. “Alright. What do I wear?”
The next morning, I walked into the office, expecting chaos. Maybe Michael wouldn’t show up. Maybe everything would fall apart. But as soon as I stepped inside, I froze.
A shocked young man | Source: Pexels
The office wasn’t the same. Music played softly in the background, and there was a table full of coffee and pastries. People were laughing, talking, smiling—something I hadn’t seen in months. The tension that had hung over the team was gone, replaced by an almost celebratory atmosphere.
And there, right in the middle of it all, was Michael.
A confident middle-aged man | Source: Freepik
He was cleaned up—hair trimmed, face freshly shaved, wearing a sharp suit that I had no idea where he got. He was talking with some of my staff like he’d known them for years, leaning in, listening, making them laugh. For a second, I had to remind myself who he really was. Just yesterday, he had been sitting on a sidewalk, bundled in a ragged coat.
I felt a pit in my stomach. This was going to blow up in my face. My dad was going to walk in any minute, and he’d see right through the act. Then, I’d be out—no more chances.
A scared young man | Source: Pexels
The meeting started, and I sat down, ready to coast through the day. Michael was supposed to nod and smile, not say a word. That was the plan.
But as soon as we began discussing the contract, Michael stood up.
“Alright, folks, let’s get serious,” he said, walking over to the whiteboard. He picked up a marker and started sketching out diagrams, arrows, and workflow strategies faster than I could process.
A smiling man | Source: Freepik
At first, I thought he was bluffing, just drawing random nonsense. But then I looked closer. Everything he was putting out there was exactly what we’d been struggling with for months. He broke down the system, piece by piece, offering solutions that no one else had even thought of.
The room was dead silent. My father, who had joined the meeting without a word, crossed his arms and watched Michael closely. I braced myself, expecting the worst.
A man giving a presentation | Source: Pexels
Michael finished, turning to the room with a grin. “Any questions?”
I glanced around. My team was wide-eyed. My father raised an eyebrow but said nothing. Finally, one of our top engineers spoke up.
“How did you… how did you figure that out? We’ve been stuck on that problem for weeks.”
A man talking during a meeting | Source: Pexels
Michael shrugged. “It’s just about looking at things differently. You’ve got good people, good systems. You just needed a little tweak.”
I sat there in stunned silence. How was this even possible? Who was this guy?
My father leaned forward, his eyes never leaving Michael. “Well, Jason,” he said, his voice calm. “It looks like you found your solution after all.”
A man in his office | Source: Pexels
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I had spent months trying to fix this, and now a homeless man—someone I’d picked up off the street out of sheer desperation—had just solved everything in one morning.
After the meeting, I pulled Michael aside, away from the others. “Okay, who are you, really?” I asked, my voice low but firm. “You’re not just some random guy off the street.”
Two men talking | Source: Freepik
Michael looked at me, his eyes suddenly tired. “No, I’m not,” he said, leaning against the wall. “I used to run a business. A good one. But things went bad. My ex-wife… she set me up, destroyed my reputation, took everything. Once you’re labeled a failure, people don’t care to hear your side of the story. I lost the company. Lost everything.”
I stared at him, speechless. He continued, “It wasn’t long before I had nowhere to go. No one wanted to hire me, and the few people who might’ve helped were long gone. I ended up on the streets. Been there for a while now.”
A thoughtful man | Source: Pexels
My mind was racing. How could someone like him, with all this knowledge and experience, end up living like that?
“Why didn’t you tell me?” I asked, still trying to wrap my head around it.
He chuckled softly. “Would you have believed me?”
A chuckling man | Source: Pexels
I didn’t know what to say. Part of me felt guilty for assuming the worst. But another part of me was in awe. This man, who had lost everything, was still brilliant. And in the end, he had saved me. Saved my job. Saved the company.
Just then, my father approached. He didn’t look angry, but there was something in his eyes I hadn’t seen before. “Michael,” he said, his tone thoughtful, “how would you like a permanent position with us? You’ve clearly got the skills we need.”
A smiling middle-aged man with his arms crossed | Source: Freepik
Michael looked at me, then back at my dad. A small smile tugged at his lips. “I think I’d like that,” he said quietly.
I didn’t know how to feel. Relief? Gratefulness? A part of me was even a little jealous. Here was a man who had walked in out of nowhere, and within a day, he’d earned my father’s respect—the thing I had been fighting for my whole life.
Two people shaking hands | Source: Unsplash
But as I stood there, watching Michael and my father shake hands, I realized something. This wasn’t just about me. Michael deserved this chance, maybe more than anyone else.
He had been knocked down, but he hadn’t given up. And maybe, just maybe, that’s what real leadership was about.
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