*Featured image contains photo by olia danilevich and Oleksandr P
Anyone who has ever experienced food insecurity knows that it never really leaves you. Those hunger pangs, even when they're long gone, linger, a phantom reminder of darker days.
When Haley was in third grade, she knew those pangs well. Her family was struggling and there was never enough to eat. One of her classmates noticed and would pack an extra lunch for her.
Her name was Gracie May.
Although the two classmates lost touch after fourth grade, Haley never forgot her. Years later, Haley had a daughter...she named her "Gracelyn Marie" in honor of that little girl.
How a Young Girl Made a Lasting Impression
In a TikTok video that is shattering hearts everywhere, Haley (@bby_hxxii) shares an emotional 7-second clip she simply captions "Angels are real."
Set to the haunting lyrics, "I think of you all the time," from Alex Olsen's song, Someday I'll Get It, the video zooms in on Haley as she blows a kiss.
“To that sweet girl in 3rd grade that would bring in an extra lunch box with food just for me, thank you so much. I named my daughter after you," Haley writes in the text overlay.
Welp. It may be simple but boy, does it pack a punch. One commenter summed it up in 8 words:
"'I named my daughter after you' I'm sobbing."
The video has struck a nerve. In just a few days it's gone viral with over 2.8 million views, 630,000 likes, and more than 4800 comments.
Its message has resonated with people all over the globe, a poignant reminder of the profound impact of kindness.
Reaction to the Viral TikTok
Thousands of people took to the comment section, touched by Gracie's actions and the way Haley chose to honor her.
"Love how you honored her," wrote one commenter.
"Her mama was looking out for you," said another.
"I hope she sees this. kindness always comes back," said a third.
But in addition to all of the love, it also started a tsunami of goodness. People began sharing their own stories, hundreds of them. And if these doesn't restore your faith in humanity, nothing will.
Here are just a few:
"I had the same bday as one of my classmates and every year her mom did a big party in the classroom for her and my name would always be on the cake too." — Britney
"When I was in 7th grade, a popular girl (never talked to her) heard that my mom couldn't afford Christmas for me that year. Her & her mom went Christmas shopping for me and brought me gifts to school. I will never forget that. I think of it often and hope she's well." — Ambria
"My son noticed a quiet kid in his class w holes in his shoes/clothes. He came to school the next day w clothes he didn’t want. - the boy wears his new outfits daily & my son says he tells jokes now." — Alli
"I remember a teacher that would call me to class before going home to give me 4 cans of raviolis for me and my 3 siblings. I never told her but she knew." — neener-neen
"The boy that danced with me at the primary school dance when no else would ~ who passed away a few years later from cancer. Always in my heart." — Clarel892
"My mom named me after the first friend she made when she moved to America." — L
"I used to hate my smile until one girl told me she loved my side dimples. every time I smile I think of her to this day because she made me appreciate it instead of hating it." — Ana Njeri
One Small Act of Kindness Can Change Someone’s World
After grade four, Haley moved from Texas to Arizona. It's been 13 years since she's seen Gracie but not a day goes by that she doesn't think about her. THAT is the power of kindness.
To Gracie, it was probably just lunch. To Haley, it was the world. And she never forgot it. And now, neither will her daughter.
"To live rent free in someone's head for an act of kindness is something we should all strive for."
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