Tara Wood’s daughter Norah was about to celebrate her fourth birthday. One day, on the way home from nursery school, Norah started talking about a senior citizen on the opposite sidewalk, announcing: «I like old peoples the best ‘cos they walk slow like I walk slow and they has soft skin like I has soft skin. They all gonna die soon so I’m gonna love ‘em all up before they is died.» Needless to say, that surprised her mom!
The next day, on the way back to school again, Norah and her mother stopped at the supermarket to buy a birthday cake. Tara was searching the aisles when she heard her daughter say, «Hi old person! It’s my birfday today!»
Shocked and mortified by her daughter’s use of «old person,» Tara was about to apologize. But then she saw the big smile illuminating the old man’s face. He replied, «Well hello little lady! And how old are you today?» The elderly gentleman and the little girl began a conversation. Norah finally asked if she could take a picture with him for her birthday. Though a little surprised at first, the old man heartily agreed. Watching this all unfold, Tara was stunned!
Norah took her new friend’s hand — his name was Dan, he told her — and gave him a kiss on the cheek. Dan was in heaven!
Tara thanked him but he answered, «No, thank YOU. This has been the best day I’ve had in a long time. You’ve made me so happy, Miss Norah.»
Tara wrote about the event and posted the photos on Facebook. In the process, she received a message from someone who recognized Dan. The mutual acquaintance told her that Dan had lost his wife a few months ago and that this meeting with Norah had probably brought him a world of good. He gave her the old man’s phone number, in case she wanted to get in touch with him at some point.
And that’s how Tara and Norah ended up visiting Dan at his home a few days later. He had gotten a haircut and shaved, so he even looked 10 years younger. He had coloring books for Norah to play with and, all in all, they spent more than three hours together.
As they were leaving, Dan cut the stem of a rose that was growing in front of his door and offered the flower to Norah. She was so touched by the beautiful gift!
Over the next few days Norah asked for more news about Dan. During a second visit, Dan admitted to Tara that since his wife’s death, he hadn’t been able to sleep properly. But since the day he met Norah, he had slept well every night. «Norah has healed me,” he said. Tara was deeply moved — she could hardly hold back her tears.
Nowadays, Dan and Norah meet up at least once a week. Dan was invited to spend Christmas with them too. “He is part of our family now,» explained Tara.
There may be 78 years separating these two friends, but their connection is strong. It all began with a wonderful encounter that brought a lot of joy to this elderly man suffering from loneliness. But it also gave little Norah a valuable new friend for her birthday!
