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Grieving mother honors daughter's memory by paying for birthday cakes

Posted at 10:15 PM, Nov 02, 2018
and last updated 2018-11-02 23:14:08-04

What would have been a day of overwhelming sadness for a mother who lost her daughter to suicide turned into a day of joy for two separate families. 

On October 11th, Jennifer Golcsh went to the Kroger on M-59 and Michigan Avenue in Howell to pick up cupcakes for her daughters 10th birthday. 

When she went to pay, the cashier told her the cupcakes had already been paid for and handed her a card. 

Sharon and Charles Shaw received a similar card when they went to pick up a cake for their daughters 52nd birthday at the same Kroger on October 12th and found out it had already been paid for. 

“By the time I was halfway through the card I went oh my gosh I can’t believe this,” said Sharon Shaw. 

The card given to the Shaw’s read: 

Today would have been my daughters 22nd birthday sadly I lost her to suicide last May,  but I want to honor her by sharing her love with others today, and paying for your birthday cake. I hope you have a wonderful birthday with those who are special to you. 

“She was actively getting up, I’m sure putting on a brave face and just going through the day to do something special for other people,” said Golcsh. 

Both families say they have tried to find out of the identity of the woman, but have no way of finding her to thank her for the kind gesture. 

“Every time my daughters birthday rolls around we are going to think of her daughter too we are going to wish her a happy birthday even though we don’t know who she is,” said Sharon Shaw. 

“It’s something you’ll remember probably forever,” said Charles Shaw. 

If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255