A scorching fresh pizza arriving at your doorstep is always exhilarating, but one youngster found it so exciting that he spontaneously embraced the deliverer for bringing his meal. This simple action became an unexpected act of compassion that surprised his mother completely.
Lindsey Sheely, a cosmetics entrepreneur residing in West Warwick, Rhode Island, purchased dinner for her household from Wicked Good Pizza last Saturday evening. Her security device recorded the brief yet incredibly touching encounter that occurred afterward.
"Last Saturday, when our pizza (and ranch) arrived, Cohen dashed out to embrace the delivery person and attempted to give him a kiss as well!" Sheely revealed in a social media update sharing the experience. "We considered it adorable and amusing, then realized our doorbell might have captured the moment on video, which it had! I trust it provides you with laughter and touches your heart as it did for us."
Sheely considered her son's action so heartwarming that she shared the security footage on her Instagram profile. Ryan Catterson, the pizza courier, discovered the video through an acquaintance.
"Someone showed Ryan the video from my Instagram, so he contacted me, and I located him on Facebook so he could distribute the video," Sheely explained. Later, while examining his Facebook page, Sheely discovered the devastating news that Catterson had recently suffered the loss of his 16-year-old daughter.
After learning about Catterson's situation, Sheely described her son's unplanned hug as "a small divine blessing."
Two-year-old Cohen Sheely delivered some unexpected happiness to a stranger when his family ordered pizza on Saturday.
"There exists no logical explanation why Cohen hugged the delivery person! I believe God utilizes children's pure affection to deliver hope and brightness where He knows it's necessary," Sheely told TODAY. To her knowledge, Catterson had never delivered to their residence before, so Sheely doesn't think her son approached him from recognition.
"We receive numerous deliveries and he never embraces other delivery staff, let alone rush outside to do so," she noted. "He has embraced and kissed people we know, but not unfamiliar individuals like this."
Since Saturday, Sheely reported that she and Catterson have remained in contact, and he informed her that Cohen's sweet gesture truly created a lasting impression.
"He wanted to inform me how much he needed that hug that night," she said. "We feel extremely thankful to know our little boy's embrace had such significance for Ryan and his family."
Dad celebrates teen who took his autistic son to prom
Occasionally, we encounter everyday individuals performing remarkable acts that strengthen our belief in human goodness.
This touching story appeared on Facebook several years ago, but continues to warm my heart whenever I view it – so I'm sharing it again.
The tale involves a father describing the moment when a young lady unexpectedly entered his workplace and requested permission to ask his son with autism a question.
Youngsters with developmental challenges typically desire similar experiences to their peers. Securing a companion for a school formal ranks highly for any 17-year-old, and rejection can significantly damage their self-esteem.
Attending solo – while insignificant in life's broader perspective – can feel like social devastation to adolescents; failing to find a partner may seriously threaten their confidence.
Many adolescents are particularly vulnerable and lack the necessary understanding of social situations – especially children with developmental conditions like autism.
Mike Larson, the father in this account, documented his experience when his autistic son, Jon, prepared for his high school formal. He subsequently shared the complete narrative on Facebook, where millions have now reacted and redistributed it. Read his words below!
"This shows my son Jon with his formal date Maddi," Mike wrote beneath his uploaded photograph. "He's in eleventh grade and has autism. Approximately four weeks ago, Maddi, a twelfth-grader, visited my workplace (I teach at their educational institution) and inquired if Jon's mother and I would permit her to escort him to the formal."
Mike added, "Maddi had become acquainted with Jon through a campus organization promoting relationships between students with special requirements and typical students. 'He's in eleventh grade,' she explained, 'so it's his formal too. I simply believe he deserves the opportunity to attend.' I informed her we would be privileged to have him accompany her."
Beyond inviting Jon to her senior formal, Maddi wanted to ensure he enjoyed an exceptional evening. She researched and discovered Jon's preferred color (orange) to select an appropriate dress. She also arranged a reservation for their group (they attended with another pair) at an eatery serving his favorite meal – chicken tenders, potato fries, and chocolate-flavored milk.
Prior to inviting Jon to the dance, Maddi sought his father's approval.
"It was an absolutely stunning moment for me," Mike Larson told Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Mike's Motivation for Sharing
According to Mike, three key purposes drove him to post the formal photograph on social media.
The widely-shared formal picture was initially uploaded in 2013, after which Mike Larson continued providing updates about what happened to the pair following the event.
In 2019, he marked the achievement of the post reaching 1 million shares and noted how his message had circulated globally. He also offered an update on everyone's current situation: "Many have inquired about Jon's wellbeing. He is healthy and content, still residing with his family."
Mike additionally revealed that Maddi has since married and occasionally feels "self-conscious" about all the attention – she didn't view her actions as extraordinary. Mike finished the update by stating, "Appreciation to all who have sent them good wishes."
When Jon received his autism diagnosis more than 16 years ago, his father imagined various potential futures. One possibility was that his son would never attend a formal dance because of his condition. However, thanks to Maddi, Jon not only attended the formal but enjoyed a magnificent evening!
"This represents something I never anticipated would occur for our family, and not only did it happen, but it unfolded in such a wonderful manner," Mike Larson expressed. "And to witness it subsequently enriching other people's lives exceeds anything I could have ever wished for. It will remain one of the most cherished memories in our lives."
Driver Notices Little Boy Crying in School Bus, Jumps in to Help after Seeing
His Freezing Hands
A school bus driver notices a young boy crying in the rear seat of his vehicle and spends his last dollar to help him, unaware that his kindness will soon come back to him.
The freezing weather and cold gusts caused Derek to shiver as he opened the bus door, and a group of adorable children dressed warmly entered the bus.
"Come in quickly, kids! The cold is terrible! Brrr..." he shivered, making the children giggle.
"Oh, no, no, sweetheart. I was joking! Be quick, I need to drive carefully today."
### Kindness often leads to more kindness, and sometimes, it leads to love.
That was Derek. A chubby, kind man who always had a big cheerful smile when he drove the school bus. The kids’ laughter and silly antics made his day, and he enjoyed his job despite the small wages, which often caused arguments with his wife.
"It doesn’t pay enough! Do you see that? We can't pay the mortgage if you keep doing this in this inflation," she would yell.
"Sweetheart," he would reply politely. "You know how much I love my work. I’ll work hard, and everything will get better, I promise!"
But when Derek was alone after dropping off the children, he often felt sad, worrying about his problems and thinking of solutions. He was a kind man, but good deeds don’t always pay bills. Right?
Because of the thick ice on the road that day, Derek drove slowly and carefully. He didn’t want to get stuck in the middle of the icy road.
When they reached school, he told the children to be careful getting off. "Be careful not to slip and hurt yourselves on the ice, everyone! Watch out, Milly!"
As the young kids left the bus, Derek decided to stop at a nearby cafe for a hot coffee, thinking it would help him warm up.
But just as he stepped off, he heard soft crying and paused. Looking back inside, he saw a boy still seated at the last row.
"Hey, kid," he called softly. "Aren't you going to class today?"
Derek felt a pang of sadness. "It’s okay, buddy," he said. "I know a guy at a clothing store who makes great gloves! I'll get you a pair after school—sure. Now, you better head to class before you're late."
The boy wiped away his tears, thanked Derek, and hurried off to class. He had no idea that Derek was lying about knowing someone at the store.
Instead of coffee, Derek went to a shop nearby and used his last dollar to buy gloves and a scarf for the boy. He was expecting his paycheck soon and didn’t think it would be a problem.
Before the boy left the bus, Derek handed him the gloves and scarf.
"These will keep you warm," he said. "Don’t bother your parents about them."
Tears welled up in Derek’s eyes as the boy hugged him goodbye. Unknown to him, this act of kindness would come back sooner than he expected.
A few days later, Derek was unexpectedly called to the principal’s office.
"Did you call me for a meeting, Mr. Butler?" he asked, knocking on the door.
Mr. Butler smiled. "Come in, Derek. Sit down, we need to talk."
His heart raced. He thought he was in trouble, but as Mr. Butler spoke, tears of happiness came to his eyes.
"You didn’t need to do this, sir. Thank you so much!"
"You earned it, Derek!" said Mr. Butler. "We decided to do this after learning about your help for Aiden and his family. His father is a firefighter who was badly injured, so they’re struggling. Your help meant a lot. And about that box..."
Derek had left a box on the school grounds two days earlier. It was filled with gloves and scarves, with a sign that read: "If you feel cold, pick something to keep warm. Thank you — Derek, the bus driver."
That night, after helping Aiden, Derek couldn’t sleep well, thinking about other children who might be in the same situation. So, he bought more scarves and gloves with his paycheck, filled a new box, and left it on the school grounds.
The principal and many parents appreciated his kindness. Derek was praised publicly, and his salary was increased. But that wasn’t the end of it.
The school started a fund to support children from less wealthy families. A simple pair of gloves, a scarf, and a kind heart helped create a special program.
Acts of kindness often lead to more acts of kindness, and sometimes, love. Derek cared for his young passengers and helped a boy in need. His kindness returned to him in unexpected ways.
Help others when you can, and you will never regret it. Derek bought scarves and gloves with his own money, even skipping his coffee. His sacrifice earned him respect and affection.
Share this story with your friends. It might lift their spirits and motivate them.
If you liked this story, you may enjoy another one about a truck driver who stopped to help an unconscious woman in the road, unknown to him that she would do something to change his life and his wife’s.
This story is inspired by real-life events shared by our readers and written by a professional. Any names or places are purely fictional. All images are for illustrative purposes only. Share your own story with us; maybe it will help someone in need.
Driver Notices Little Boy Crying in School Bus, Jumps in to Help after Seeing
His Freezing Hands
A school bus driver notices a young boy crying in the back seat of his vehicle and spends his last dollar to assist him, unaware that his kindness will soon come back to him.
The cold weather and strong winds made Derek tremble as he opened the bus door, and a group of adorable children dressed warmly boarded the bus.
"Enter quickly, kids! The weather’s freezing me! Grrr..." he shivered, making the children laugh.
A little girl sitting beside the door said, "You’re so silly, Derek! Ask your mommy to buy you a new scarf!"
"Oh, sweetheart, I wish my mom was alive. She’d give me a prettier scarf than yours! I’m so jealous!" he said with a pout, making her smile.
"Mommy gets me the nicest scarves!" she replied. "I will tell her to get one for you!"
Derek chuckled. "Oh no, no, sweetie. I was joking! Come on, let’s go. I need to drive carefully today."
Acts of kindness often lead to more kindness, and sometimes, it can even lead to love.
That’s how Derek was. A gentle, chubby man constantly wearing a big smile while driving the school bus. The kids’ laughter and silly jokes made his day, and he loved his job—even if his paycheck was small, which sometimes caused arguments with his wife.
"It’s hardly enough! Do you even realize? We can’t pay the mortgage if you keep doing this during inflation," she would yell.
"But, honey," he’d reply kindly, "I love what I do. I’ll work hard, and everything will turn out fine. I promise!"
He always had quiet moments after dropping off the children, feeling sad and pondering his worries. He was a kind man, but good deeds don’t pay the bills. Right?
That day, because of the thick ice on the road, Derek drove slowly and carefully to avoid getting stuck in the middle of the icy surface.
When they reached school, he warned the children to step down carefully. "Watch out for slipping on the ice, guys! Be careful, Milly!"
As the kids disembarked, Derek decided to stop at a cafe across from the school for a hot coffee. "Coffee’s just what I need for this cold weather," he thought happily.
Just as he was about to step off the bus, he heard a soft crying sound and stopped. He looked toward the last seat of the bus and saw a boy still sitting there.
"Hey, kid," Derek called out. "Aren’t you going to class today?"
The boy sniffled and shook his head.
"What's wrong, kid? Are you okay?" he asked as he moved closer.
Derek noticed the boy was hiding his hands behind him. "What are you hiding, buddy?" he asked. "Is something wrong? You can tell me. I’ll help."
"It’s just so cold outside," the boy finally said. "I’m really cold..."
He then showed Derek his hands, which made him feel worried. The boy’s hands looked frozen and had turned blue from the cold.
Derek quickly took off his gloves and helped the boy put them on. "Look, I know these are too big, but they’ll keep you warm. Did you lose your gloves?"
The boy shook his head. "Mommy and Daddy said they don’t have money right now. They promised to buy new ones next month. My old ones are torn."
Derek felt a surge of sympathy. "That’s okay, kid. I’ve got a friend at the clothing store who makes the best gloves. I’ll get you a pair after school. Now, you’d better hurry; you’re going to be late."
The boy wiped away tears, thanked Derek, and hurried to his class. He didn’t know Derek had lied about the store friend.
Instead of getting his coffee, Derek went to a nearby shop and spent his last dollar on a pair of gloves and a scarf for the boy. He was expecting his paycheck soon, so he thought it wouldn’t be a problem.
Before the boy left the bus, Derek handed him the gloves and scarf.
"These will keep you warm," he said. "Don’t worry your parents about it."
His eyes filled with tears as the boy hugged him goodbye before leaving the bus. Little did Derek know that his kindness would come back to him.
A few days later, Derek was unexpectedly called to meet the principal.
"Did you want to see me, Mr. Butler?" he asked, knocking on the office door.
Mr. Butler smiled. "Please come in, Derek. Let’s talk."
Derek’s stomach tightened. He thought he might be in trouble, but as Mr. Butler spoke, his eyes started to water with happiness.
"You didn’t have to do that, sir. Thank you so much!" Derek said excitedly.
"You earned it, Derek," replied Mr. Butler. "We wanted to recognize what you did for Aiden and his family. His father is a firefighter who was badly hurt, so they’re struggling right now. Helping a kid like that meant a lot. And about that box…"
Derek had placed a box inside the school grounds two days earlier, beside the main gate. It was filled with scarves and gloves, with a sign that read: "If you’re cold, take something for yourself. I’d appreciate it. — Derek, the school bus driver."
That night, Derek couldn’t sleep well. He kept thinking about other children who might be in the same tough situation as Aiden. So after getting his paycheck, he bought more scarves and gloves, put them in a box, and left it on the school property.
The principal and many parents appreciated his kindness, and Derek was praised in front of the whole school. His salary was also increased.
But that wasn’t the end of it. The school started a fund to help children from families with financial difficulties. A simple act of kindness by a bus driver had made a big difference.
What can we learn from this story?
Kindness often leads to more kindness, and sometimes, it even leads to love. Derek cared about the children on his bus and went beyond his duty to help a young boy. His kindness came back to him.
Help others if you can, and you will never regret it. Derek bought scarves and gloves for Aiden and others, giving up his coffee for them. That act of giving earned him love and respect.
Share this story. It may brighten someone’s day and inspire them to help others.
If you liked this story, you might enjoy one about a truck driver who helped an unconscious woman on the road, not knowing she would change his and his wife’s lives.
