December 31st is a day of celebration for many people around the world. It's a festive time to get together with family and friends; to say goodbye to the old year, and hello to the new one.
For one young boy, it also has added significance: it's his birthday.
What Happened When No One Showed Up For 9-Year-Old's Birthday Party
As every one knows, birthday parties are a huge deal for kids. And soon-to-be nine-year-old Jaydenn was no exception.
His mother, Rosario Lopez, knew how much the day meant to him so she started planning his party early. She sent out invitations to family and friends in early December.
The big day finally arrived, but sadly, no one arrived with it. Not one single person showed up for the party. Not one.
Jaydenn was devastated. "I guess I'm going to have to get used to this," he told his mom.
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Rosario's mama's heart was broken.
Not knowing where else to turn, she shared the heartbreaking news on her Facebook community page alongside a photo of Jaydenn, ALONE, surrounded by decorations and his birthday cake.
She captioned it "Sorry to post here but as a mom I have to run the extra mile and I’m hoping this group can help me out by Wishing my son Jaydenn a Happy Birthday. We invited family but no one showed up and it breaks my heart. I get that it’s New Years Eve and most have something going on but doesn’t hurt to call/text to show this boy some love."
Strangers Step In To Fill The Heart-Breaking Void Left By Family and Friends
Rosario was hoping her post would garner a few "Happy Birthday" comments that she could show to Jaydenn to try to cheer him up. What she got was so much more. And it's going to renew your faith in humanity.
Commenters came out in droves to support Jaydenn. Among the more than 700 birthday wishes there were also invites to get together, including one person inviting Jaydenn to share in their own child's birthday celebration.
However, not only did strangers show up online, but they also showed up in more tangible ways as well.
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Rosario told the Utah television station KUTV that a number of community members reached out, asking for their address to mail or drop off gifts, including clothes, action figures, and a toy truck. Others sentthe family food through DoorDash.
The outpouring of love was overwhelming. The fact that strangers braved cold and snowy weather to show up bearing gifts for a broken-hearted boy made it doubly so.
"To be honest, I cried. I wasn't expecting that at all. There are good people out there," Rosario said. "I just can't say how grateful I am; truly we are so grateful from the bottom of our hearts."
No Child Should Ever Have to Celebrate His Birthday Alone
Thanks to the kindness of strangers what started out as a tragedy turned into an unforgettable celebration for one little boy.
The community's outpouring of love and support for Jaydenn is a welcome reminder that kindness isn't dead. That even on the toughest days, there are people out there who care and are willing to go the extra mile to make a difference.
A community rallied together when one of its own needed it. And by doing so, gave one little boy the greatest gift you can give a child: the knowledge that he is special and loved.
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