Woman noticed elderly couple exercising in the hallways—then came up with a kind gesture to make their day
A person can get joy from doing something good for others. Also, more often than not, it is the little gestures that work like a charm. So when a woman noticed her elderly neighbors walking around in a hallway for their daily exercise, she knew she had to do something special for them. It all began when the woman, Erica Richardson, observed the couple, Sally and Jack, walking past her door through her ring camera, even though she lived at the end of the hallway and had zero foot traffic, per her TikTok page @ericcaaa_. The video received over 30.5 million views.
"The cutest older couple walks the halls every day for exercise. I live at the very end of the hall, so I get like zero traffic by my door, but I see them daily," Erica explained. Sally and Jack could be seen doing the rounds of the hallway through the ring camera footage in their athleisure wear. She kept noticing them every day for exercise, so she decided to make a little snack counter for the couple. "So of course, I had to make them the cutest grab and go." She laid out granola bars, drinks and water, so the couple could grab a little treat on their walk back. Erica also made them a poster that encouraged them to keep going and help themselves with the laid out snacks. "You got this, Sally and Jack," the poster read.
On the first day, Jack noticed the snack bar, but started walking away. Sally stopped him and walked up for a closer look. She grabbed a snack and showed a thumbs up to the camera. Jack followed her lead and the couple walked past with a smile on their faces. The next day, Jack waved to the camera before grabbing his snack, while Sally gave the camera a flying kiss. They went away with their treats, holding hands. The caption read, "This has become the highlight of my day." Erica talked to PEOPLE about Sally and Jack's exercise regimen. "We live in Florida, so if it is not 10,000 degrees out, it is raining. The sidewalks are also tripping hazards at times, and the interior hallway offers not only air conditioning, but a flat place to walk to keep them safe."
The couple didn't live on Erica's floor, but they walked by all eight stories to get their required steps in a day. Erica had noticed that the couple looked tired and low on energy every day and that prompted the gesture. "Now they walk up with a smile and a pep in their step." Sally and Jack had also invited Erica for charcuterie and wine when she first moved in and had been very sweet to her. People appreciated the woman's kindness for the couple in the comments section of the video.
@houseoftice wrote, "You know they went home and called and told everyone they know about this." @deepderpishdap commented, "Stuff like this reminds me that not all humans are terrible and it makes me cry a little. Thank you for the reminder in these trying times." @rebalynn7676 remarked, "Maybe some days they don't feel like getting up. But then they think of you down at the end of the hall and do it anyway." In another video, Erica shared an update on her neighbors coming in for their snack on day three.
@ericcaaa_ Sally & Jack day 3 🥹🤍 Of course I went to the store last night & set out some new snacks for them :) #sallyandjack ♬ original sound - Erica
You can follow Erica Richardson (@ericcaaa_) on TikTok for more lifestyle content.
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