In the early 1990s, 19-year-old Holly Deiaco-Smith boarded a plane at JFK to spend a year studying in Nancy, in northeast France. Her excitement soon turned to isolation. Though she could understand French somewhat, speaking it was difficult—her accent made her hard to understand, and daily interactions left her exhausted and discouraged.
Her hope rested on a care package from her mother, which Holly believed contained Skippy peanut butter she couldn’t find in France. She went to the post office to pick it up but struggled to explain herself. The attendant didn’t speak English and couldn’t make out Holly’s French. Frustrated and near tears, she was rescued by a French woman, Chantal Jouve.
Jouve stepped in, asked in English, “Can I help you?” spoke to the attendant, and within minutes the package was in Holly’s hands. Jouve then invited Holly to dinner the following Sunday. Those Sunday dinners became a regular ritual: a welcoming place where Holly could practice French without the anxiety and sadness she’d felt before. The family offered warmth and a sense of home.
Decades later, Holly and Jouve remain in touch, exchanging Christmas cards and visiting each other’s families. Holly says Jouve’s small act of kindness shaped her outlook—she now watches for people who need help and is quick to offer it. “I’m forever grateful that Madame Jouve did that for me,” Holly said.
My Unsung Hero is also a podcast — new episodes are released every Tuesday. To share the story of your unsung hero with the Hidden Brain team, record a voice memo on your phone and send it to [email protected].