Most of the time, it’s the smallest things that truly matter.
Especially when we age, we tend to focus on the good things we can experience with the time left.
It’s all about cherishing loved ones and remembering them in different ways.
In a care home, a WWII veteran was brought to tears when he received one of the most pleasant surprises he’d ever experienced.
Kia Mariah Tobin from the Thistleton Lodge noticed a photo beside Ken Benbow.
Benbow always takes his wife’s photo with him whenever he goes to sleep.
He must be dearly missing his wife, Ada, so much so that he wants the photo to be the last thing he sees before he sleeps and the first thing when he wakes up.
Benbow and his wife were married for 71 years before she passed away last August 2019.
They met right after the war.
He served in the Royal Navy and fought through the Atlantic and Pacific theaters, including D-Day in 1944.
The veteran, now in his 90s, is staying with the care home.
That’s when he struck a friendship with one of the staff, Kia Tobin.
Tobin only began working with the care home during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hearing the veteran’s story, she ordered a pillow for Benbow.
But it was not just any pillow, it was a way to remember his wife Ada.
The care home captured the heartwarming moment on camera.
Tobin presented the gift to Benbow, which made him gasp in surprise and excitement.
He quickly hugged the pillow close to his heart and then began sobbing.
He would never have believed that someone would give him a gift so special.
It was a pillow with his wife’s photo printed on it.
Another curious care home fellow asked Benbow what he received.
Benbow excitedly showed his friend the pillow.
Benbow kept hugging the pillow and exclaiming, “Oh, dear!”
Tobin explained to him why she gave him this kind of present.
Pillows won’t tear or crumple up as photos do.
They don’t have hard surfaces and sharp edges, so Benbow can always hug the pillow close whenever he wants to.
Through tears and a heart full of gratitude, Benbow repaid the sweetest gesture with a warm and tight hug.
The care home shared the video on its Facebook page.
The video was also shared by a local news outlet which made the duo the latest feel-good news sensation overnight.
The clip has thousands of comments and millions of views from all over the world.
“We know our residents are missing their loved ones at this time, but let’s not forget those who sadly aren’t here with us anymore,” they said in their post.
People also showed their admiration for Tobin.
“Kudos to this caregiver for going the extra mile. I am blessed to say I have worked with many caregivers who have expressed this same type of kindness,” said one commenter.
“I have worked a long time in long-term care. You will be surprised how many staff members do this sort of stuff,” another shared, proudly saying that this is not a unique case.
“They are like our family too.”
Watch how this caregiver made a WW2 veteran cry with a special gift.
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