These days, we often forget about older people, and many of them end up living alone and feeling lonely. But just because someone is old doesn’t mean they don’t have feelings or thoughts.
In fact, they might need friendship and love even more than before.
That’s why we wanted to share this story we found online. It’s about a four-year-old girl named Norah who said something special to a stranger in a grocery store. It changed both their lives forever.
This is Tara Wood. She’s a mom of seven. When her daughter Norah turned four, they had a special moment together. Tara felt so moved by it that she shared the story online, and it quickly became viral.
The day before my daughter Norah turned four, something amazing happened.
After picking her up from preschool, she pointed out an elderly person walking slowly across the parking lot. She said she liked older people the most because they walk slowly like her and have soft skin like she does. Then she said something a bit sad: “They all gonna die soon so I’m gonna love ’em all up before they is died.”
It was a bit strange and dark at the end, but I could see where her heart was.
I was amazed by her kindness and understanding. When we got home, I shared what she said on Facebook. Little did I know how much it would touch people.
“The following day — her birthday — again on the way home from school, she asked if we could stop at the grocery store to buy celebratory cupcakes for her and her six siblings to enjoy after dinner.
How do you say ‘No’ to a birthday girl?”
I put Norah and her little sister in one of those big grocery carts that look like a car and went to the bakery. After we got the cupcakes, I stopped at a shelf with discounted items. I was looking at things like Ranch dressing and Ensure when I heard Norah.
She was standing up in the cart, waving and saying, ‘Hi old person! It’s my birthday today!’
The man she was talking to was old and serious-looking. I was worried she might have offended him, but he didn’t seem bothered. He smiled and asked, ‘Well hello little lady! And how old are you today?’
They talked for a bit, he wished her a happy birthday, and then we went our separate ways.
A few minutes later, Norah asked me if she could take a picture with the old man for her birthday. It was so cute! I wasn’t sure if he would say yes, but I said we could ask.
We found the man a few aisles over, and I asked him if he would take a photo with Norah for her birthday. At first, he looked confused, then surprised, and then happy.
He steadied himself and asked, “A photo? With me?”
“Yes, sir, for my birthday!” Norah said.
So we took a picture. Norah held his hand gently, and he looked at her with twinkling eyes. She kissed his hand and then put it on her cheek. He smiled. His name was Dan.
We were in the way of other shoppers, but no one minded. It felt like something magical was happening. Norah and Mr. Dan talked like they had known each other for years.
After a few minutes, I thanked Mr. Dan for spending time with us. He got emotional and said, ‘No, thank YOU. This has been the best day I’ve had in a long time. You’ve made me so happy, Miss Norah.’
They hugged again, and we left. Norah watched him until he was out of sight.
I was really moved by their meeting. I thought people on my Facebook page might like to hear about it, so I shared the story and a photo of them together.
That night, I got a message from someone who knew Mr. Dan.
His wife, Mary, passed away a few months ago, and he had been feeling very lonely. She said that meeting Norah meant a lot to him and that it probably made a big difference in his life.
I asked for Mr. Dan’s phone number and called him a few days later.
We visited Mr. Dan’s neat and cozy house. Pictures of his late wife, Mary, were all around. He looked different – he had a haircut, shaved, and wore nice clothes. He looked younger. He set up a little table for Norah with paper and crayons. He asked her to draw pictures for him to put on his fridge. She happily agreed and started drawing.
We stayed with Mr. Dan for almost three hours. He was patient and kind to Norah, even when she talked a lot and moved around a bunch. He even helped her clean up ketchup from her cheek and let her finish his chicken nuggets.
After lunch, we walked Mr. Dan to his front door. He took out a pocket knife and cut a single red rose growing by his porch. He spent ten minutes carefully removing every thorn from the stem before giving it to Norah. She keeps that rose, which is now dried, in a Ziploc bag under her pillow.
Norah asks about Mr. Dan every day. She worries about him, wondering if he’s lonely, cold, or has enough to eat. She wants him to be okay and feel loved.
Mr. Dan thinks about Norah too. After a recent visit, he told me that he hadn’t slept well since his wife passed away. But after meeting Norah, he’s been sleeping better. He said, ‘Norah has healed me.’
His words left me speechless and my cheeks wet with tears.
These two people, Norah and Mr. Dan, are very different in age. But it’s like their hearts know each other.
Norah and I promised to visit Mr. Dan every week, even if it’s just for a short time. We’ve even invited him to spend Thanksgiving with us. He’s become part of our family.
Talking to strangers can sometimes lead to wonderful new friendships. It’s worth giving it a try.
This story is inspiring and heartwarming. It reminds us to notice people and talk to them. Share it with your loved ones. You never know what a conversation with a stranger can bring!
