Helen, a widow long retired from teaching, lives alone in a charming house brimming with books and small treasures from her years with her husband, Charlie Parker, a military hero and aviator, who was her one true love. Helen spends her time quietly reminiscing about days gone by and tending to her lush garden. When she falls ill, she is reunited with a former student, Todd Cope, a nurse on the staff at the local hospital where she is a patient. Todd and his wife, Denise, a high school teacher and part-time caterer, have two young children. The couple works tirelessly to make ends meet and care for the kids. As a result, they find themselves left with very little time for each other. However, Todd is drawn to Helen and when he discovers that she has no immediate relatives to look after her, he finds time to attend to her as if she were part of his family. Through her warmth and wisdom, Helen teaches her former student and his family the most important lessons of their lives.
