A kind heart makes an individual even more attractive. A soul filled with compassion and respect for others is invincible even when confronted by hardships. But sometimes your kindness takes you to the places you never expect. Bill Ray, a beggar helped a woman in getting her ring back not knowing his selfless act was going to turn his life upside down. Sometimes, some actions have the most unexpected reactions.
Where Did It Go?

Sarah felt as if her world had come crashing down when she realized that her engagement ring was missing. Her ring was missing from the moment she gave a small gift to a homeless man. She found herself at her wit’s end.
Sarah’s Huge Mistake

Losing your engagement ring is a big blow to anyone. Not only are they close to your heart but also come expensive. The owner of Darling Yoga Studio, Sarah Darling loved her engagement ring made of diamond and losing it was nothing short of a trauma for her. She would never take it off. And now the ring was gone.
Wounded Finger

For once, the woman took it off her hand as she had injured her finger the day before. She put the ring in her bag for safekeeping until the time her finger heals. She thought her bag would be the safest place for the ring. She felt guilty after taking it off but she had to for its own safety. She couldn’t have been more wrong.
Helping Others

While heading to work, she passed by a homeless person. The woman thought of giving something to the man. She reached for the loose change in her bag and gave it to the beggar. Thereafter, Sarah kept on walking without giving it a second thought.
Late Realization

At that time, Sarah could not realize that her ring was missing. It was after some time she learned that her ring was not there in her purse. Sarah recalled, “It was horrible. It was such a feeling of loss. It meant so much to me beyond just the financial value.”
No Idea

Sarah tried to recall where could have she lost her ring. She suspected that she might have lost her ring while giving some change to the homeless man. She remembered that was the only time she had opened her bag in the entire day. She decided to meet the guy again.
Retracing Her Steps

May be Sarah had scooped the ring along with the change from her bag and dropped it in the homeless man’s cup. She had not looked at the change when she was giving them away. Well, the notion took her breath away. So was her ring gone for good?
Back To Spot

Unlikely Resolution

The man wasn’t there. She wondered if she was ever going to see him again. Sarah had no hope now. She returned home, dejected and distressed. She told her husband about it with tears in her eyes. Her husband, Bill, consoled her and told her to look for the same guy at the same place. So, she went there again with the hope of finding him.
Asking Him

Fortunately, the guy was there. He was standing at the same spot with the same cup. Sarah had never felt so relieved on seeing someone. She paced towards him and said, “I don’t know if you remember me, but I think I gave you something that’s very precious to me.” The homeless man’s reply brought tears to her eyes. He asked, “Was it a ring?” “Yeah, I have it, I kept it for you.”
Overwhelmed With Relief

Sarah was happy and surprised both. She had not expected him to keep the ring. In fact, she thought he would have sold it off for some money. Most individuals would do that. However, this man was clearly different.
No Words

Meeting Billy

The name of the panhandler was Billy Ray Harris. He was a 55-year-old homeless man. The guy had been living as homeless for many years. A particular road corner in Kansas city was his residence. The man would sleep there at night and would spend days with a cup in his hand and asking passers-by for change.
For 16 Years

The man found himself on road to fend for himself about sixteen years ago. The man has had struggled a lot to survive each day. Anyone in his situation would try to make most of each and every chance coming his way. Naturally, he thought of selling the ring when he found it in his cup. The man contacted local jewelers to know the worth of the ring.
Making The Right Decision

Well, the amount he was told got him by surprise. The jeweler offered $4000 in exchange for the ring. However, Billy did not sell it off because he doubted it was worth a lot more than the local jeweler had told him. The jeweler tried hard to negotiate with him but the man decided not to sell it. He had his reasons.
Kindhearted

Though the man wanted money badly, he could not sell the expensive ring. He doubted that someone had accidentally dropped the ring in his cup. What if the person comes back tomorrow? What will he tell him/her? Even though the ring would have provided him with enough money, his conscience did not allow him to do that. Billy Ray just could not sell the ring. His kindness was what set him apart from the people.
Restoring Faith

As he had doubted a lady did come to him asking about the ring a few days later. That was the moment he felt proud of himself for not trading the ring for some money. Billy gave the ring back to her. It was a good moment. He said, “I just couldn’t do it. I’m not saying I’m an angel, but I’m not a devil either.”
Good People

Billy told the woman, “I could tell exactly how much it meant to you as soon as I held it up.” Sarah said,
“It just makes you realize there are good people out there.”
Wanting To Give Back

Billy controlled his temptation for someone he did not even know. The man despite his unfavorable condition decided to save the ring for someone he did not even know. Sarah was indeed very lucky that she lost her ring to a man like Billy.
Eternally Grateful

As said earlier mere speaking thank you was not enough for Sarah to show how much she respected the man. The couple planned on doing something big in order to repay the old man. They wanted to help him the way he helped Sarah when she needed it the most. Sarah explained, “It was just such a feeling of loss when it was gone, so I am so eternally grateful for him.”
Raising Money
After a lot of wondering and pondering, the couple decided to plan a fundraiser for Billy. They kicked off the work by creating a GoFundMe page with the aim of collecting $1000. According to the couple, this is the least he deserved for his honesty. The couple who were deeply impressed by the old man thought of sharing their experience with the world. They took to the internet and posted their story. Well, the post received reactions from all over the world. What more, donations too kept coming in. Billy had won many hearts.
Above And Beyond Expectations

Overwhelming Public Response

Kind Words

Sharing Memories

Another contributor shared his personal experience, “Several years ago, my mother’s ring was stolen from my house. To this day, I recall the empty feeling in the pit of my stomach. Hopefully, your honest example will encourage others to pay it forward. Kudos to you, Billy Ray.”
A New Lease On Life

A Local Hero

Billy continued, “I still see some of the same people, but only now, instead of coming up and giving me change, they’re coming up, shaking my hand, and you know, saying ‘hey good job.’” His honesty not only made him a hero but also helped him get off the street.
No Longer Homeless

The money helped him a lot in starting a new life. Not many people get this chance. He considered himself lucky and decided to use cash wisely. Billy contacted an attorney who suggested him to put money into a trust. The man now had enough cash to buy himself a vehicle along with the house. He will be doing the reconstruction on his own. Well, this is not where his story ends.
The Best Gift Of All

Long Lost Brother

Reconnecting With Family

Billy Ray was over the moon when he saw his siblings again, “I’m glad that we all got in touch with each other. I was really worried about them and they were worried about me, and there were so many stories going around in Texas that I was dead or in Arkansas and nobody knew anything.” Billy Ray is in constant touch with his family now. Bill said, “We are actually talking about having a family reunion. I can’t wait I got happy feet.”
One Final Surprise

NBC News was following the story from the beginning and after uncovering so many good surprises in Billy’s life, the channel invited Srah, Billy Ray, and Billy on their show to share their experience. Well, the trio talked about heart-melting response and the assistance of the community. They started with the losing of the ring and how it changed Billy’s life. All this while Billy had no idea his family was in the backstage.
An Emotional Reunion

Uncle Billy Ray

Happy To Have His Family Back

Grateful For Everything

Lifelong Friends

Beautiful Bromance

Bill respects and appreciates what the old man did for them Bill said, “I knew immediately that he was someone that was on the same wavelength as me, and I was looking forward to being able to go chat with him once in a while.”
Reflecting On Their Story

Importance Of Ring

Passing Down The Message

Real Lessons

Darling stated, “I’ve talked to other mothers about this.” “It gives other moms a real tangible story of really teaching kind of the difference between what’s wrong and what’s right.”
Harris Feels Human Now

Past Is Gone

Harris said, “When I think of the past, I think, thank God that it’s over.” His past life was full of hardships and agony. Now he is extremely happy to have a family around. Now he can “feel human now.” Sarah and Bill paid back in the best way they could.
Possible?

New Vehicle

Own Man

This unique experience has inspired confidence in Billy Ray. He has started to think big. He is toying with the idea of starting his own company once being done with his home’s project. He shared, “I’m thinking about getting a pick-up, a paint gun, two ladders, and some other paint equipment and doing my own paint.”
Adjusting To His Life

The man is all set to start his new life. “I’m still in the right-here-right-now mode. You know, that’s one thing I have never been able to get out of. Good luck/bad luck. It’s like, I’m right here, right now. Whatever happens, happens,” said Billy.
Making Ends Meet

The journey from rag to riches was a difficult one for Billy Ray. He had spent sixteen years of his life begging for change. The man had lost all hopes of finding a job and even his family. Though his life had changed the memories of the past were still there. “At the very worst, I’m going to eat today, and I’m going to buy whatever I want to eat. And that was fine with me,” said he.
Tables Have Turned

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