Only memories are left when a son is taken from a father too soon.

The nine year-old-story of a North Carolina mechanic murdered at his own body shop has a remarkably happy twist to it.

According to USA TODAY, Chris Brynarsky had just finished a custom paint job on a bumper at his shop in Union County, North Carolina, when he was fatally shot in October 2006.

Another mechanic, Mark Cosentino, repaired the bumper that Brynarsky was standing over when he died — but before he finished, he inscribed a special message inside of it to remember his late friend:

The bumper reads:

In memory of Christopher Brynarsky 10/11/06 11:45am His Last + Final Project. INRI. May the LORD keep you in his love for eternity. CML Motorsports, Inc.

Cosentino told USA TODAY:

I just wanted to immortalize him. That was my way of doing it.

And now, nine years later, the bumper has resurfaced and made its way back to Cosentino and Brynarsky’s father, John:

John Brynarsky removed the bumper from a car in the shop he works in on – of all days – Good Friday:

For it to end up with his Dad getting it, is just mind boggling. I can’t believe it.

Chris’s brother Jonathan, who also works at the Charlotte shop, said that the whole situation was unreal:

Somehow it came to this shop, somehow we got it and it’s just unreal. You can’t even write something like that.

Cosentino feels blessed that he could play even a small role in bringing joy into the family’s life.

He said, “It’s a good feeling to know that I did do that and somebody else did see it, especially the right person. It’s a good day when something like this happens. We don’t get a lot of days like this anymore.”