Sometimes, life has a way of testing us all at once. “When it rains, it pours,” they say, and for our family, this past week felt like one of those storms. Without going into all the messy details, suffice it to say that it has been challenging. But even in the midst of difficult times, small acts of kindness can feel like sunlight breaking through the clouds. Yesterday, my heart was lifted in a way I’ll never forget, all because of one thoughtful officer and my 5-year-old son, Ian.
We live in Derby, NY, but Ian often spends time with my parents in Dunkirk. That town has always held a special place in my heart; it’s where I grew up, where family and community feel like second nature. Yesterday morning, my mother called me with news that left me completely floored. She told me that Officer Bobby Fred had paid for Ian’s haircut at Tommy Brown’s Barber Shop. That may sound small, but it was far from it. It was a reminder that goodness still exists, even when you feel surrounded by hardship.
Ian has sensory issues, which can make simple outings stressful, yet he has an undeniable fascination with police officers and firefighters. So, when Officer Fred walked into the shop, Ian’s curiosity took over. Twenty questions or more poured out of him in rapid succession. And instead of brushing him off or rushing along, Officer Fred took the time to answer each one. He showed Ian his badge, explained his uniform, and patiently engaged with his endless stream of curiosity. Ian’s eyes sparkled with excitement, and for a moment, the weight of our week lifted from my shoulders.
The moment became even more poignant when my mother went to pay for the haircut. The barber gently told her, “Officer Fred already took care of it.” I couldn’t help it. I cried. I cried because in a world that can feel heavy and overwhelming, a simple act of generosity reminded me that compassion still exists. That a stranger in uniform took a moment to connect with my son in a way that brought him joy and comfort.
This small gesture, this seemingly minor act, was a powerful reminder that kindness matters. It ripples outward, touching hearts in ways we may never fully know. For my family, it was a moment of hope, a reason to believe in the good that surrounds us, even in our darkest weeks.
Thank you, Officer Fred. You may not realize it, but your patience, generosity, and warmth made a lasting impact on Ian and on all of us. It’s moments like these that restore faith in community, in humanity, and in the small, shining sparks of goodness that keep us moving forward. Ian starts school on Tuesday in the Lakeshore District, and I can’t think of a better way for him to step into this new chapter: with a fresh haircut, a heart full of excitement, and the memory of an officer who reminded him and all of us that kindness matters.
Credit: Libby Korytko MacDougall via Dunkirk Police Department
