We tend to forget the old people these days, maybe that’s why so many seniors are alone and living alone.
However, one does not lose one’s feelings or beliefs just because one reaches retirement age or exceeds 65 years of age.
Plus, just because they’re older doesn’t mean they don’t still need extra affection and friendship. This istrue.
That’s why we felt obligated to share this story we found online. About Norah, who is four years old. Her calling a stranger in the grocery store an “old man” made a deep impression on them both.
This is Tara Wood. He has seven children. At the age of four, she experienced something truly unique with her child Norah. Afterwardfterwards moved to tell the story, and once she did, it quickly gained popularity.
“My daughter Norah predicted an amazing event the day before her fourth birthday.
She warned me to watch out for an elderly person crossing the parking lot at a glacial pace as I picked her up from daycare.
She went on to say that she has a soft spot for older people, saying, “I like old people best because they have soft skin like me and they walk slowly, like me slowly.” I will adore them all until the end before they die because they all die soon!
I liked where her heart was, even if the ending was a bit weird and grim.
Once we got home, I used this quote as my Facebook status update because I was so moved by her empathy and compassion. I didn’t know about her true sincerity.”
“She asked us if we could stop at the grocery store and buy celebratory cookies for her and her six siblings to eat after dinner the next day, which was her birthday when we got home from school.
“How can you refuse the birthday girl?”
“I put Norah and her younger sister in one of those huge, heavy supermarket trolleys that look like cars and drove towards the bakery. When we got the scones I made a detour to the ‘Sale’ shelf because I was interested. Busyypicking up and discarding the mostly empty dressing bottles and cans from Secure, Norah stood in the cart, waving merrily and calling, “Hey, old man!”
The man had wrinkles on his forehead and a stony face. He was old. But before I could beg the earth to swallow me whole or “shut up” for calling him “old man,” he stopped and turned to her.
If my unfiltered child was bothering him, he didn’t show it. “Hello Miss!” he said, his stance softening.
And what is your current age?
After a brief exchange of words he wished her a happy birthday and they parted ways.’
“A few minutes later she turned to me and asked, ‘Can I take a birthday picture with the old man?’ It was the cutest thing and I assured her that we would though I wasn’t sure if she would oblige.
I followed the man after we found him a few blocks away. Please excuse me, sir. Nora would like to know if you would be willing to take a photo with her for her birthday.
His expression quickly changed from confused to shocked to happy.
“A few minutes later she turned to me and asked, ‘Can I take a birthday picture with the old man?’ It was the cutest thing and I assured her that we would hough I wasn’t sure if she would oblige.
I followed the man after we found him a few blocks away. Please excuse me, sir. This is Norah and she was wondering if you could take her birthday photo.
His expression quickly changed from confused to shocked to happy.
Steadying himself with the shopping cart, he stepped back and placed his free hand on his chest. “A picture? With me?” he asked.
Indeed, on my birthday! Pleaded Norah.
So he acted. They were posing together when I took out my iPhone. She placed her tender hand on his tender hand. She held his hand and studied his thin veins and worn knuckles as he stared at her silently with sparkling eyes. After kissing her top, she placed his hand on her face. He grinned. When I asked him his name, he replied, “Dan.”
They didn’t seem to mind that we were disturbing other customers. There was magic in the grocery store that day, something we all felt. It’s clear that Norah and Mr. Dan were talking like old friends when they didn’t notice anything at all.’
“After a few minutes, I thanked Mr. Dan for taking the time to spend a little bit of his day with us. He broke down in tears and said, ‘No, thank YOU.’
This was the best day I’ve had in a long time. You made me so happy Miss Norah.
They hugged again and we walked away.
Norah followed him until he was out of sight.
I’d be lying to you if I told you I wasn’t a tearful mess after their interaction.
I was intrigued by this encounter and thought maybe some readers on my Facebook page would like to hear about it.
I uploaded a story and a photo of the two of them.’
“Later that night I received a private message from a local reader who recognized Mr. Dan.
His wife Mary died in March and he has been lonely since his beloved left. She wanted to let me know that she was sure his heart had been touched by my little girl. That he needs it and will probably never forget it.
I asked for his phone number and called him a few days later.”
“We visited Mr. Dan’s warm and immaculate residence – memories of Maria still proudly displayed everywhere you look. He had a haircut, and a shave, and wore trousers and dress shoes. He looked ten years younger. He pulled out a children’s table for Norah, empty paper, and crayons. He asked her to sketch some pictures for him to show on the fridge.
We ended up spending almost three hours with Mr. Dan that day. He was polite and tolerant of my talkative, energetic daughter. He let her finish his chicken nuggets after she wiped the ketchup off her face.”
After lunch,, he took out his pocketknife and chopped the lone red rose growing on his front porch as we escorted him to his front door. It took him 10 minutes to remove each thorn from the stalk before giving it to his new acquaintance.
He keeps that rose dry as a bone in a Ziploc bag under the pillow.
Every day, Norah asks about Mr. Dan. She cares about him. She asks if he has cheese on his sandwich, if is he cold, or if is he lonely. She desires his well-being. He longs to feel loved.
Mr. Dan is also thinking of Norah. On another recent visit, he said he hadn’t slept through the night since his wife’s death. He informed me that he had slept through the night since he met my girl. “He answered, Norah healed me.
Tears streamed down my cheeks and I was speechless.”
“These two individuals are seventy-eight years old. It seems that their souls and emotions somehow know each other from the ancient past.
We agreed that Norah and I would see Mr. Dan once a week, even if it was just for a quick fifteen-minute visit, a quick hug, and a cheese Danish (his favorite!).
He was invited to join us for Thanksgiving. He is now a member of our family. He’s become part of my family of nine whether he likes it or not, and as Norah noted, “We’re all going to love him.”
Talking to strangers can sometimes lead to beautiful new beginnings. Try it.”
This touching and inspiring story serves as a great reminder to pay attention to others and start a conversation. Please distribute it to your loved ones. You never know what can happen when chatting with a stranger!
This heartwarming story beautifully illustrates the profound impact that simple acts of kindness and connection can have on people’s lives, especially among the elderly. Norah’s innocent yet sincere interaction with Mr. Dan not only brightened his day but also filled the void he had been experiencing since losing his wife.
Their unlikely friendship, formed at the grocery store, is an example of how true compassion can transcend age differences and foster meaningful relationships.
Because we often overlook the needs of older people in our society, this story serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of acknowledging their existence and providing companionship and love. Norah’s empathy and curiosity opened the door to a renewed sense of joy for Mr. Dan, illustrating that even small gestures can create a lasting bond and make a big difference in someone’s life.
Additionally, the continued connection between Norah and Mr. Dan emphasizes the importance of community and the human experience. By committing to regular visits, they not only enriched each other’s lives but also expanded their family. This moving story encourages us all to reach out, engage in conversations with those around us, and be open to friendships that can blossom unexpectedly.
Ultimately, this is a call to action for each of us to embrace the opportunity to connect with others regardless of age and foster a culture of kindness that recognizes the worth of each individual. So let’s not forget to share our time and warmth with those who may feel isolated, because it is in these interactions that we can make a difference.