Kicker: Never too late to say thanks

NICK EICHER, HOST: Hannah Smith was 13 when she came under the care of a foster mother. That was more than 40 years ago. So Smith sought to thank her foster mom known as “Mama Essie Gilchrist.” Two weeks ago, Smith posted a tribute on social media.

HANNAH SMITH: I was pretty wild. I had a boyfriend. I ran up her bills. At the time I wasn’t aware of what she did. But she showed me like what stability was, which I’d never had.

That post went viral. Mama Essie could hardly believe it:

GILCHRIST: And then I looked and it's 2 million. I like to think about that! 1.9 million people helped to find little old me! (laughs)

And find her they did! Now in her 70s, Mama Essie said “God is good,” and the two plan to meet up real soon.

MARY REICHARD, HOST: So good.

EICHER: It’s The World and Everything in It.

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