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4-Year-Old Befriends A Lonely Man And Helps Him Heal After Losing His Wife

October 29, 2016

A 4-year-old girl's kind words helped ease an elderly man's pain after he lost his wife.

Tara Wood and her daughter Norah were at the grocery store picking up cupcakes for Norah’s birthday when the little girl noticed a gentleman who drew her attention.

Tara documented the adorable interaction on Facebook.

Credit: Tara Wood

"We made a quick stop at the grocery store to pick up cupcakes for Norah's birthday.

She was sitting in one of those carts that look like a car or truck or whatever when an older gentleman walked by. We'd passed several other elderly customers but she seemed magnetically drawn to this man.

Her face lit up like the sun, she waved excitedly, and said 'Hi old person! It's my birfday today!'

He was furrow browed but his expression softened when he realized she was speaking to him.

'Well hello little lady! And how old are you today?' he asked. They chatted for a few seconds and it was super adorable.

We said 'goodbye' and carried on shopping.

A few minutes later she turned and asked 'Can I take a picture with the old man for my birfday?'

Uh, it was the cutest damn thing ever.

I knew he couldn't have gone very far so we back tracked until we found him.

'Excuse me, sir? She'd like to know if you'd take a photo with her for her birthday?' I asked."

Credit: Tara Wood

"Sometimes talking to strangers turns into the most beauty full thing in the world.

He looked confused and then stunned and then delighted.

'A photo? With me?' he asked.

'Yes suh! For my birfday!' Norah exclaimed.

And so they posed together and then they hugged each other like they were long lost friends.

We thanked 'Mr. Dan' for taking time to spend a few minutes of his day with us.

He teared up and said 'No, thank YOU. This has been the best day I've had in a long time. You've made me so happy, Ms. Norah.' "

Credit: Tara Wood

Soon after Tara published the Facebook post, she was contacted by a person who knew the man. The person told her his name was Dan Peterson and the grocery store was the first time they’d seen him smile since his wife died.

Several days later, the two were on their way to his house.

Credit: Tara Wood

"Just spent two and half hours visiting and having lunch with wonderful Mr. Dan. Pretty sure he, not the Dos Equis guy, is the interesting man in the world. Plus, he asked me if I've ever done any modeling so he's now my favorite human being, obvs."

Credit: Tara Wood

"Norah brought him a framed picture of the two of them in the grocery store, pictures she colored (he put them on his fridge!), and a bag full of pastries and Butterfingers...if he doesn't already have diabetes, he's about to."

Credit: Tara Wood

"Sweet Mr. Dan is going to be part of our family whether he likes it or not (he likes it)."

Credit: Tara Wood

"Do yourselves a favor, friends- take the time to talk to older people. I think that sometimes we look right through them- like they're not even there. But you know what? They matter. They're valuable. They want to be seen and heard. They want to know they've not been forgotten."

Credit: Tara Wood

"Let's take good care of them and love 'em all up."

Credit: Tara Wood

Since the first visit, Tara and Norah have been visiting Peterson regularly.

Credit: Tara Wood

Credit: Tara Wood

Credit: Tara Wood