The sequence on the pew was Cindy, me, Ethan, and then Mary at the end next to the isle. Mary was there sitting by herself when we arrived at the Christmas Eve service and squeezed by her to take a seat in the balcony. The service included an opportunity to greet people nearby and it was then that we learned Mary’s name. She told Ethan he looked familiar, but none of us have been able to recall a previous point of connection.

My observation (or speculation) is that Mary gave Ethan a gift—the gift of acceptance given by a stranger.