Stefun Darts was an ambitious second-grader when he made the promise to pay off his grandparents mortgage so they would no longer have to work to live. Nearly a decade and a half later, Stefun is making good on his promise.
Armed with a smile and a check for $15,000, Stefun presented his grandparents with the money at a party held in their honor. The check did not come without great sacrifice on Stefuns part.
Working several jobs to save the money required for such a gift wasn't his only sacrifice. It took great determination, self-control and the ability to turn down invitations to go out with his friends.
It took Stefun six years from the time he started working to fulfill the promise, but to Stefun, it was worth it.
Very little money was spent on his own needs so that he could take care of the needs of those he loved and who had selflessly cared for him as a child.
In a letter he wrote to his grandparents on Facebook, Stefun said this:
"GG | GP I promised God in the second grade I would pay off you guys house and help you retire. A promise I would never break. The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen, nor touched... but are felt by the heart.
"Even with this, I could never repay you for what you've done for me. I sacrificed my teenage and early adulthood of not having fun for this moment. I couldn't stand you going to work at night, some nights I didn't even sleep knowing it shouldn't be like this. Never have I wrote a check wanting this to be the first one. To all my friends that stood by me over these last 6 years I appreciate you.
"Some things was never said and I'm glad you guys had enough sense to understand I had something greater to complete. GP| GG Take this check and pay your house off, and retire from work. Y'all owe no man but God. Even copped y'all some tickets to The Bahamas. I'll sacrifice everything for my la familia. P.S - Avaricious. The secret is within. Love, Stefun
For Stefun, and for the rest of us, the secret to anything in life truly does come from within. It is our willingness to sacrifice for others that allows us to experience the best things in life, things we may otherwise take for granted. The grateful tears of his grandparents are a gentle reminder that Stefuns life is filled to the brim with those beautiful things he spoke of in his letter, a truth he knew even in the second grade.
Not only did Stefun sacrifice for his grandparents, but he also helps to run a non-profit organization, Caring Heart Youth, a foundation he established to help poor children and teens obtain much needed supplies and support.
Stefuns story is a wonderful reminder to all of us that we are the ones who bring beauty to life by our actions. We can all experience those best and beautiful things as we sacrifice our own wants for the needs of others. It is also a gentle reminder that time is relative when we have promises to keep.
Armed with a smile and a check for $15,000, Stefun presented his grandparents with the money at a party held in their honor. The check did not come without great sacrifice on Stefuns part.
Working several jobs to save the money required for such a gift wasn't his only sacrifice. It took great determination, self-control and the ability to turn down invitations to go out with his friends.
It took Stefun six years from the time he started working to fulfill the promise, but to Stefun, it was worth it.
Very little money was spent on his own needs so that he could take care of the needs of those he loved and who had selflessly cared for him as a child.
In a letter he wrote to his grandparents on Facebook, Stefun said this:
"GG | GP I promised God in the second grade I would pay off you guys house and help you retire. A promise I would never break. The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen, nor touched... but are felt by the heart.
"Even with this, I could never repay you for what you've done for me. I sacrificed my teenage and early adulthood of not having fun for this moment. I couldn't stand you going to work at night, some nights I didn't even sleep knowing it shouldn't be like this. Never have I wrote a check wanting this to be the first one. To all my friends that stood by me over these last 6 years I appreciate you.
"Some things was never said and I'm glad you guys had enough sense to understand I had something greater to complete. GP| GG Take this check and pay your house off, and retire from work. Y'all owe no man but God. Even copped y'all some tickets to The Bahamas. I'll sacrifice everything for my la familia. P.S - Avaricious. The secret is within. Love, Stefun
For Stefun, and for the rest of us, the secret to anything in life truly does come from within. It is our willingness to sacrifice for others that allows us to experience the best things in life, things we may otherwise take for granted. The grateful tears of his grandparents are a gentle reminder that Stefuns life is filled to the brim with those beautiful things he spoke of in his letter, a truth he knew even in the second grade.
Not only did Stefun sacrifice for his grandparents, but he also helps to run a non-profit organization, Caring Heart Youth, a foundation he established to help poor children and teens obtain much needed supplies and support.
Stefuns story is a wonderful reminder to all of us that we are the ones who bring beauty to life by our actions. We can all experience those best and beautiful things as we sacrifice our own wants for the needs of others. It is also a gentle reminder that time is relative when we have promises to keep.