When I was 25, my mom Cathy, known as the Cookie Lady in our town, was fired from Beller’s Bakery. She had given two leftover muffins and some bread to a homeless veteran, but her new manager, Derek, accused her of theft. She came home heartbroken, trying to hide her tears but still told me, “I have more good in me than he has power.” That moment stayed with me for years.
I later started a food-tech company that partners with bakeries to donate surplus food to shelters—no loopholes or excuses. During a hiring process, I was surprised to see Derek’s name among the applicants. He didn’t recognize me and confidently spoke about firing an “older woman” for giving away baked goods.
I told him the truth: that woman was my mother. His confidence vanished instantly. I let him know there was no job for him, but suggested he might be better suited helping a shelter handle day-old muffins. He left without a word, and for the first time in a decade, I felt relief.
I shared the story with my mom, who smiled and said I hadn’t done it just for her, but for the child who witnessed his mom’s pain. Today, she leads our community outreach team, sharing bread and kindness. Sometimes, karma doesn’t just happen—it works through us.