Children love unique things that amaze them, so it was with Charles, a two-year-old boy who loved trucks. Whether it was a fire truck, ambulance, construction vehicle, or garbage truck, the baby would also show excitement that matched nothing else. Four wheels, and you could see the love!
Whenever any truck entered the streets or was nearby, he rushed outside to see and sit patiently, observing with so much curiosity. Not just this, he would even wave at the workers and drivers whenever he got to. In return for the waves and thank yous, he made many new friends who owned trucks.
One of his new friends, a driver named Lonnie, was super kind as he stopped by to pick up items every time he saw Charles excited over seeing the truck. He used to smile, wave at the baby, and stop, especially for him, even if he had no job. Charles loved Lonnie equally since the day he had memorized his name, and there was nothing except ‘Lonnie’ on his tongue.
In those days, the pandemic had taken over the world, and everyone opted for a certain distance, but one fine day, Lonnie told Charles that they would let Charles ride the truck when things got better.
Only his words were enough to make the baby’s day beautiful. The sad part was that Charles and his family were moving somewhere else in the next two weeks, so that might not have been possible. The baby would have experienced the best moment of his life if he had gotten a chance to.
The truck mostly came weekly and on the same day, so the next week, Charles and his mom awaited Lonnie’s arrival. After a little while, it was finally coming! He could hear the sound of the engine and a loud honk. This time, Lonnie was not just here for the recycling job but brought along so many presents for Charles. A little neon safety vest that could fit the baby so well, a hat similar to his, two toy trucks, water bottles, and even coloring books. Without meeting, the bond was so special. Although Charles did love all the gifts, and he couldn’t help but giggle and smile all day long, at the same time, the way he was in love with the toy trucks was way too much.
To stay in touch, Lonnie also gave his phone number.
He wanted to see how the baby’s love for trucks grew. However, what upset the mom was that Lonnie did so much for her baby, but she couldn’t take a photo of Charles with him so the core memory could be kept safe for the rest of his life.
The next day, while Mama and Charles were playing in the yard, a man approached them whom they had never seen before. He told them he was Lonnie’s supervisor and asked if they would be home at 11 tomorrow, as Lonnie had a special surprise planned for Charles.
Of course, the answer was a big yes!
Not an extra minute after 11 the next day, five big trucks honking drove down the streets while the drivers smiled and waved at Charles. Lonnie was sitting in one of them and approached Charles, to whom he got a huge, warm hug from the boy. How beautiful it is to put in effort to make someone happy. It wasn’t just Charles and his mom; the neighbors were overwhelmed with joy and had teary eyes this time.
Although it was just a simple act of kindness by Lonnie, it meant the world to Charles.
When his mother shared the story on social media, it got hundreds of thousands of views, and even a sermon regarding kindness was given in the church because of a superhero, Lonnie.
Before they left the area, Charles’s father called him to thank him for making his son so happy. Even after they shifted, the boy always talked about Lonnie. He also put on the gear Lonnie gifted him and, with a proud smile, said, ‘I look like Lonnie.’
Little acts of kindness positively shape the world, and the imprints are left forever!
