One small boy with a wise old heart

Today my little boy made friends with an elderly neighbor

And elderly man who barely looked at us or even said hello in passing

A neighbor, living just across the hall

We went outside to play ball this morning to burn off some energy before heading out for the day

I threw the ball down the sidewalk

My little boy picked it up, and instead of throwing it back to me

He threw it to the man

The man standing in the shade, in the corner of the sidewalk, up against the building

The man who didn't acknowledge us as we walked by

The man who I could tell had trouble leaning down to get the ball

So I leaned down and  got the ball, gave it to him, and he threw it to LC

Who giggled, and ran after it with glee

And threw it right back at him

We introduced ourselves

LC then became interested in the parking lot, which I was not so interested in and tried to lure him back to the sidewalk.

I threw the ball down the sidewalk

He had no interest, but the man slowly shuffled over from his corner against the building and knelt down, picked up the ball, and handed it to me (who had gone to pick up LC)

LC gave him a big smile as he reached for the ball 

LC reached out his arms to be held by his new friend

I warned him that he was heavy and gently put him into his arms

He held him out in front of him as LC looked at him

He gave him back to me and we went inside to gather our bags to head out for the day

As we passed him as we were leaving LC again reached his arms out for the man, this time the man took him without hesitation

And my dear sweet boy wrapped his little toddler arms around his new friend's neck in the biggest, tightest, sweetest hug I've ever seen. Squeezing and showing him all the love his little body could give

I think that he made the man's day

We have a neighbor

We are now friends

Maybe it's just me, but I don't know many kids who connect with people the way LC does

There is something magical about him that I feel so blessed to witness and to be a part of

I am thankful every day for our sweet boy and all that he gives to the world

Making his little world bigger and bigger every single day

He made this man's world grow by leaps and bounds today and ya know what, I bet he knew it too :)