Mom was ‘embarrassed’ when 4-year-old ran up to elderly stranger — but his reaction left her speechless
Children have a magical understanding that sometimes surpasses what we adults can ponder. Their sensitivity to love, honesty and care is what gives them the power to be empathetic in an incredible manner. A mom named Elisha Trask (@elisha.trask) shared the story of her 4-year-old daughter, Brooklyn, who randomly began calling out to an elderly man and ran towards him. She was embarrassed when the girl climbed up and sat beside him. Before she could explain or apologize, the man revealed something that left the mom speechless.
The mom recalled how, at the age of four, her daughter was in her “tutu stage.” She was completely carefree at the park, spinning, skipping, making friends with anyone who would listen.” While twirling and enjoying, she suddenly spotted the elderly man and stopped. The 4-year-old then began pointing at him and yelling, “Papa! Look, Mama, it’s Papa!” "Before I could say a word, she ran straight to an older man sitting by himself on a bench. Climbed right up beside him as if she belonged there," the mom explained. The first guess was that maybe Brooklyn’s grandpa was really at the park. However, it seemed uncertain as he was supposed to be at work at that time.
When Trask observed intently, she realized she didn’t know the man. “I hurried over, a little embarrassed, ready to explain. But the man’s eyes filled before I could even get a word out,” she recalled. What the elderly man said left her shocked. “My granddaughter used to call me Papa. She passed away last year,” the man explained. Caught off guard by the heartbreaking truth, Trask had no idea what to say. While she tried to down this heavy reality, her daughter was busy being herself, playing and enjoying. Interrupting the shattering silence, the elderly man continued, “It feels like she sent me a little hello today.”
Even though it’s been a while since the encounter, Trask couldn’t help but fondly recall the memory. “It didn’t feel random. It felt like heaven. Like God slipped something sacred into our ordinary afternoon…and Brooklyn was the only one still tender enough to catch it,” she wrote in her caption. The mom further explained how the purity children have to be raw and honest is what helps them be so powerfully sensitive. The very fact that they’re not afraid to say what they feel is what results in magical instances like this one.
To the mom, it might have initially been an awkward experience but to the elderly stranger, it was peace, comfort and an unexpected relief. Many people were given a sweet reality check to be more considerate, more gentle in their everyday happenings. @thedentsinmyarmor said, “We can learn so much from our kids. Thank you for sharing this tender experience.” @mychildrensheroes added, “What a blessing she was to that man that day! He felt God’s love and that he answers prayers and that his granddaughter is near! How special!” @nafixlove wrote, “This story is so heartwarming.” @tawny.paino added, “God shows up when we need him most.”
You can follow Elisha Trask (@elisha.trask) on Instagram for more content on parenting and inspiration.
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