This Man Thought His Wife Dying Was The Worst Thing That Could Possibly Happen But A Worse Shock Was Still To Come.

#1

The 90 year old Johnnie Hodges was decent and upstanding for his entire life. He spent his whole life with his highschool sweetheart, Flora and they were true to one another - despite the tragedies that life threw at them.

Wold War II separated the happy couple and Johnnie entered the war as a soldier. In the marines he proved his courage and with luck he returned safely to his Flora, who had been waiting for him. Together they moved to Buffalo, New York, just as much in love as they were the day they met.

#2

Life seemed wonderful - Johnnie worked as a bus driver, earned a good income and could afford a house. The American Dream became a reality for the Hodges: they spent 60 happy years together, bore children, became proud grandparents and their love grew more and more every day.

#3

But at some point Johnnie noticed that Flora was becoming increasingly more forgetful. She simply couldn't remember things, and became confused and unsure. A visit to the doctor confirmed the worst: Flora had Alzheimers and would soon no longer remember her old life. The diagnosis turned their lives on it's head. But instead of putting Flora into a nursing home, Johnnie did the often impossible thing and lovingly took care of his wife at home so that she could die the way she had lived: surrounded by love and in the arms of her husband.

After nearly 67 years of marriage, the hardest moment came for the war hero as he had to say goodbye to the love of his life. He mourns for her deeply but knows that Flora is always with him and he relishes in the memories that surround him in their house. Then, just one year after her funeral came the next shock: the bank wrote to him and stated that he owed $70000 and had to leave the house! Looking after his wife had used his entire savings and now he had to give up the only place which still tied him to his love. When he refused to give up his home, and the beautiful memories so easily, the police arrived at his door.

#4

The old man, who would have died for his country, can hardly believe that the same government was now using police force to drive him out of his house. He refuses again and, even at 90 years old, he is imposing enough that the police don't dare try take him by force. But he is just one man, and in the end he was carried out of the house and taken to a psychiatric hospital. The real estate agency immediately began clearing out his house, and one year after Flora passed away it seems as though he has lost everything. His children didn't know what had happened to their father, because he is too proud to ask for their help and kept his financial problems a secret.

Throughout the entire process he remains focused, doesn't speak. The police are visibly affected, but it seems as though no one will help the 90 year old man. What happened then however, is a real wonder:

#5

Photos of the house liquidation spread through the internet and evoked a huge wave of sympathy. A fundraising page was set up and within a very short time over $100000 was raised. People from all over the world donated. One little girl even donated the money that she had earned from her lemonade stand. From the money raised in just 4 months, there was even a little left over to do some repairs. Johnnie Hodges is amazed and can barely believe his luck when he is finally allowed back in his house. Today he is still living in the place that means so much to him and he thanks god that his fellowmen are so generous.

Even though Johnnie still misses his Flora, he feels her with him in every second and knows that she is waiting for him. For now, the sparkle remains in his eyes when he thinks of her and it's a good feeling to be surrounded by such great fellowmen.

#6

Johnnie Hodges looks back on his life and can now begin his twilight years in peace. When asked about what this house means to him, he answers: "I worked a lifetime for this house, and now I would like to stay here until I leave this world." And thanks to the kindhearted helpfulness of his neighbours and strangers, he may do exactly that.

If the story of Johnny and the generosity of strangers has touched you, or if you think that heroes need more support from society, then share this story with all your friends.