kathie-mckernan

Grieving Couple Touched by Strangers Act of Kindness

While there is nothing worse than losing a child, kindness and support can make the nightmare a tad more bearable.

For Kathie McKernan of Massillon, OH, and her husband, Michael Foehrenbach, the selfless act of two strangers was encouragement on the worst day of her life.

Kathie McKernan and her husband, Michael Foehrenbach
Kathie McKernan and her husband, Michael Foehrenbach

On New Year’s Eve, Kathie received word that her 29-year-old son, Robert McKernan, had been killed by his wife . . . a shock that no mother ever wants to face. The New Year began with tears and loss for Kathie and her husband, Michael Foehrenbach, who began making funeral arrangements for their son on New Year’s Day.

When they finished the painful process of deciding how to bury a child who was taken far too soon, Kathie and Michael were understandably distraught and exhausted.

Robert McKernan
Robert McKernan

When the grieving couple stopped at a restaurant to regroup after completing their son’s arrangements, they had no idea that they’d leave crying happy tears instead of sad ones.

After noticing the visibly upset pair, another couple in the local eatery bought Kathie and Michael drinks . . . but that wasn’t all. When the anonymous couple left the restaurant, they asked a hostess to deliver a note to the mourning parents.

kathie-mckernan
Kathie McKernan

Inside was a $100 bill and a sweet sentiment scrawled on a napkin:

kindness letter

His wife echoed the sentiment, tearfully dubbing them angels.

The gift-giving couple had never been seen in the restaurant before and didn’t stay to receive any recognition for their gesture. They simply wanted to help another couple who were obviously going through a tough time.

They came and went from their lives to only bring a smile on Kathie and Michael’s faces during their tragic time – an undoubtedly angelic gesture.

While the heartbreak of a lost son is indescribable, the selflessness of others is enough to brighten even the darkest of days.


Source: Fox8


 

5 comments

  1. I WISH WITH ALL MY HEART THAT I COULD REACH OUT TO HER. I LIVED IN OHIO WHEN I WAS 22 FOR ABOUT 10 YEARS AND DURING THAT TIME I GOT INTO TROUBLE OVER DRUGS. I RECEIVED 3 YEARS FOR DRUGS AND 4 YEARS FOR ESCAPE (not reporting to my probation officer) WHICH SHOULD HAVE BEEN ABSCONDING BUT I WAS CHARGED WITH ESCAPE AND SENTENCED TO 4 YEARS IN PRISON.
    OHIO IS THE ABSOLUTE WORST STATE IN TERMS OF JUSTICE. A GIRL I WAS IN PRISON WITH GOT A YEAR LESS FOR TAKING A LIFE WHILE DRIVING DRUNK.
    JUSTICE WAS NOT SERVED IN THIS CASE. HOW DO YOU TAKE A LIFE AND BE FOUND GUILTY OF MANSLAUGHTER AND ONLY SERVE 3 & 1/2 YEARS IN PRISON? YET AN ADDICT WITHOUT A STABLE PLACE TO LIVE GETS MORE TIME IN PRISON. I DON’T GET IT! YES I BROKE THE LAW BY NOT REPORTING TO MY P.O. AND I DESERVED TO GO TO JAIL. SO DID COLEEN. BUT 3 & 1/2 YEARS FOR TAKING A LIVING BREATHING SOUL? WHERE’S THE JUSTICE? EVEN A BIT OF JUSTICE? BECAUSE THIS SENTENCE IS LAUGHING AT ROBS FAMILY.
    IM SO SO SORRY AND I PRAY THIS FAMILY FINDS PEACE. THIS IS TERRIBLE AND I WISH WE COULD DO SOMETHING.

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