When Swedish exchange student Brigitte celebrated her birthday with a quirky song about aging and death, my wife Melissa—still grieving her elderly father—was furious. Misunderstanding the humor, she demanded Brigitte leave immediately.

But the next day, a brutal storm struck, and we needed help retrieving Melissa’s frail mother. Brigitte, despite being hurt, volunteered without hesitation. Her calm, caring presence as she aided Helen through the storm melted Melissa’s anger.

Later that night, with no power and only candlelight, Helen reminded Melissa that her late husband used to laugh about death. Tears turned to laughter, and Melissa apologized, asking Brigitte to stay.

In the end, a storm—and a Swedish birthday song—healed wounds we didn’t know were still open.