Stranger Asks Car Dealership Employee To Fix His Truck - What He Finds In The Trunk Surprises Him
One Utah widower was on the job at a car dealership when a show of love and support rolled into the service department.
Cassidy Shear went through the unimaginable, but the kindness of friends, family, and strangers kept him afloat.
Shear's wife, McKenzie, had just given birth to the couple's fifth child, a beautiful son named Ridge. The young mother was suffering from numerous health issues, including a blood disorder. Just one day after baby Ridge was born, a blood clot ended up taking her life before she even had the chance to hold her newborn.
Suddenly a widower with five children to care for, Shear quickly returned to work to provide for his family, secure insurance benefits, and ensure he’s able to hold on to the family home they had recently purchased.
Everybody stepped up
While Shear works full-time at a car dealership, his mom and McKenzie's mom take turns caring for baby Ridge.
“He has not complained once about all of the responsibility that has been put on his shoulders,” Staci Christensen, McKenzie’s mother, said to FOX 13.
He has me. He has Dixie. He has all of Kenzie’s friends. Everybody’s just stepped up to the plate and willing to help Cassidy in any way that we can.
Staci Christensen to FOX 13
Special surprise
One day, a “customer” pulled up to the dealership during Shear’s shift and said there was something wrong with his truck. The so-called customer- actually a member of the Fox 13 Dream Team- popped open the trunk to reveal a stash of diapers, formula, and other baby supplies.
Shear's family and friends gathered around and there was one last gift in store for the dad.
Pregnant and overcome with emotion, Krystellina Brown, another member of the Dream Team, presented the father with a red box.
“Enjoy our gift of mortgage payments for the rest of 2019- compliments of the dream team,” the emotional father read from a note inside the box.
I don't know what to say. Thank you so much.
Cassidy Shear to FOX 13
Support through grief
People who have had to say goodbye to their loved ones often suffer secondary losses when friends or family members drift away instead of supporting them in their grief. From providing babysitting to baby wipes, the people in Shear's life provide an example of how to support someone through the grieving process.
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Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.
Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.
In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.
They Mock His Daughters To Their Face
When strangers approach Austin von Letkemann and his four daughters, they don't always realize that their comments are being overheard. They seem oblivious to the fact that his girls understand every word. Von Letkemann describes how people will approach him and, without thinking, make remarks like "I'm sorry" or even joke about his lack of sons. What they don't realize is that these comments, intended to be light-hearted or humorous, can be deeply hurtful to his daughters. These strangers are not just disrespecting von Letkemann's choices as a father; they're also sending a message to his daughters that their presence is something to be pitied. It’s a message that von Letkemann won't stand for, and he's speaking out to defend his girls from these insensitive remarksSaying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist
Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.
Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.
By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.
Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:
"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents
Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.
In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.
Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.