We can say that a love of a child is pure.
A child’s innocence is always a reminder of what kindness and love are. They know no boundaries. No color, race, age, gender, or religion.
They make friends with almost anyone, even with animals. Some even cry when you step on a spider! For them, everyone deserves some love and care.
This is the kind of love that sparked the friendship of Etta and Stanley.
Stanley is a 95-year-old war veteran who is a resident of Avita of Wells, an assisted living facility for the elderly.
Most of the residents here suffer from dementia. And what we know about people with dementia is that they don’t have the best memories.
Despite Stanley barely recognizing every name and face, he recognized Etta quickly.
He remembers his one friend during visiting days.
The nurses even shared that Stanley wasn’t a morning person, but he always got up early like it was his routine when it came to Fridays (which are visiting days). He knew that it was the day he got to spend time with Etta.
The 3-yeard-old sparked this unlikely friendship long ago.
Her mother, Laurie Morse, usually brings Etta and her brother to Avita of Wells to make the elderly happy.
One day, Laurie noticed that during their Musical Generations Class, Etta picked up instruments and gave them all to Stanley. That’s when she knew there was just a special connection between the two.
For the little girl, Stanley is not just a friend; he is family.
One day they asked if Stanley’s children or family would visit him on his birthday. The staff said none of them contacted the home for a visit.
Etta was quick to say that they were his family and would come to celebrate Stanley’s birthday. Laurie was touched by Etta and couldn’t say no.
They visited Stanley on his birthday and brought him some cupcakes.
Their bond didn’t only happen during music class. Laurie sometimes brought Etta to Avita of Wells during the weekdays and helped out Stanley working on puzzles and other activities for his therapy. But for Etta, this is all fun and games that she got to spend with her friend.
This unlikely friendship has grown strong through the years.
During the pandemic, Etta would Facetime Stanley to cheer him up. In this video, she made funny faces, and Stanley just laughed in delight.
Etta visited him during this birthday, too.
On his 96th birthday, they visited Stanly twice – first, during the music class, and second, when they brought him his birthday cupcakes.
Etta told Stanley her theory that he won’t turn 96 unless he bites into her cupcakes. Stanley laughed at the thought of it and bit the cupcake she had brought him.
On his 97th birthday, they had to settle with Facetiming each other.
But despite that, Etta celebrated with Stanley with cupcakes. This showed that their bond, though somewhat unlikely, is something so beautiful and pure. We wish their friendship more years!
Please SHARE this with your friends and family.
