Every evening at six o’clock, the soft chime of the mantel clock echoed through Barney and Mimi’s living room. At 70, Mimi was graceful despite her arthritis, always appearing when Barney called her name, ready for their well-worn routine. They’d lived on Silver Oak Street for nearly forty years, but the loss of their son, Adam, twenty years ago still weighed heavily on their hearts. The night before his death, they’d shared his favorite meal—roast chicken—and since then, the dining table had been untouched.

Instead, they began a tradition: visiting neighbors with small homemade gifts—candles, scarves, bread—and sharing meals. It started as a way to cope with their grief but soon became the heartbeat of their days.

One evening, after a dinner with Mrs. Chen, they tried to welcome their new neighbors with a knitted cap for their child. But Rebecca, overwhelmed by her new life, rejected their gesture. Mimi’s heart sank, but they left quietly, hurt but not defeated.

Days later, Rebecca’s daughter Emma ran into traffic. Barney, filling the bird feeder, rushed to save her, and Rebecca realized her mistake. She invited Barney and Mimi to dinner in gratitude.

That night, they brought a peace lily, and the dinner was filled with stories, laughter, and connection. Mimi shared the story of Adam, and Emma asked to keep the cap. From then on, Barney and Mimi became part of their family.

Years later, when Barney and Mimi passed, Rebecca continued their tradition. Every autumn, the family visited their graves with roast chicken and memories, believing that Barney and Mimi’s love lived on, as two crows gathered nearby.

**Lesson:** Grief can leave a permanent void, but kindness and connection can heal even the deepest wounds, leaving love that echoes through time.