Man Spots Neighbor Who Lost Her Husband and Drops Everything to Give Her a Hug
March 05, 2024

When a man noticed his neighbor walking alone and realized she’d lost her husband, he dropped everything and rushed to give her a much-needed hug.
Neighbors have unique relationships. While we may not know each other's names, we see each other and speak regularly; we know one another’s routines. And, even though we may have only shared small talk, there is often genuine affection in those casual connections.
RELATED: Heartbroken Widow Goes To Work For Walmart After Husband Dies And Finds Joy
That was the case for Aldon O’Neill Ward, who shared his touching story with Love What Matters.
Getting To Know The Neighbors
Aldon observed an elderly couple walking in his neighborhood for years. He wrote, “Since 2011, I’ve seen an older couple walking the neighborhood every morning and evening. They had matching windbreaker outfits, large white new balance sneakers, and a stick in hand.”
He described how the two waved, blew kisses at his dogs, and commented on what a beautiful day it was—even when they walked in the rain. Though they’d never exchanged names, he knew where they lived, and they knew where he and his boys lived.
Aldon recalled a story from 2015. He was returning home from the beach with his red Doberman. The top and doors were off of his Jeep, and he’d landed on Maroon 5’s cover of “The Way You Look Tonight.” As Aldon turned onto his street, he noticed the couple walking. They wore “huge” smiles and their “matching windbreaker outfits.” He reached to turn down the blasting radio’s volume, but the man motioned for him to turn the tune up.
The man exclaimed to Aldon, “Sure is wonderful to hear stuff like that being played by a young’n!” Then, he gave his wife a twirl and they danced. Over the years, as Aldon exercised, tended to his yard, or washed his Jeep, he’d play all sorts of music. If the couple happened by, they’d wave, smile, and dance no matter what Aldon happened to be listening—country, heavy metal, or rap! The couple danced.
Neighbor Lost Her Husband
Then, one day, Aldon was watering his yard. He saw the woman walk by alone and waved to her. She waved back, and Aldon jokingly called out, “Where’s the better half?’ She slowed and began to shake her head. She looked up at Aldon and, in a trembling voice, told him that she didn’t “have him anymore.”
RELATED: A Tearful John Schneider From Dukes Of Hazzard Sums Up Widowhood After His Wife’s Death
Aldon’s heart sank, and he rushed down to the street. As he approached, he questioned her, “Ma’am?” She turned toward Aldon, tears streaming down her face. It became clear that the woman had lost her husband.
The two didn’t say another word. They hugged, and he comforted her as he would his mother or grandmother. The lady sobbed into Aldon’s chest for a moment and said, “I’m just trying to do the things we used to, so I still feel like he’s around…I needed that hug more than you know. Thank you for all the music.”
It would have been convenient for Aldon to continue his work without questioning or taking time to go to his neighbor. But, he chose otherwise. He offered his kindness when she needed it most. Even though they might never have exchanged names, they’d formed a sweet friendship over the years. He’d played his music nice and loud, and they’d consistently provided the young man with an example of what true love looks like!
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Security Camera Catches FedEx Driver’s Act Of Kindness For Widow
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” Matthew 5:4
WATCH: Man Drops Everything To Hug Neighbor Who Lost Her Husband
LISTEN: She Gave up Being a Victoria’s Secret For Jesus | Brother's Speech Brings Forth a Shocking Confession
h/t: Love What Matters
Featured Image Credit: Facebook/Sassy
Hally is a freelance writer, blogger, and mental health advocate. A former school counselor, Hally works for a nonprofit that distributes tax dollars to mental health and prevention education providers that serve her county's kids and families. She's a contributor to a devotional and two essay collectives, and she shares resources and wisdom regarding parenting teens, mental health, faith, adoption, and more at http://www.hallyjwells.com where she strives to "Dig Deep and Reach High." She and her husband have three adult children and one rascally beagle pup. Hally loves travel, her book club sisters, personality tests, and a great glass of iced tea.
Today's Devotional
A Prayer to Long for Heaven - Your Daily Prayer - July 18
Do you look forward to heaven? If I am being honest, my heart can be so focused on the now and building my “earthly kingdom” that I often miss the joy of focusing my thoughts and heart on eternal joys.
Today's Devotional
A Prayer to Long for Heaven - Your Daily Prayer - July 18
Do you look forward to heaven? If I am being honest, my heart can be so focused on the now and building my “earthly kingdom” that I often miss the joy of focusing my thoughts and heart on eternal joys.
Past Stories
- Neighborhood Offers Support For 8-Year-Old Girl Who Lost Her Family in the Texas Floods
- They Adopted a New Pup, Then Discovered a Family Connection to Their Dog That Died
- Curious Young Child Who Crawled Into a Claw Machine is Rescued Soon After
- At 103, She’s Her Bowling Team’s Oldest and Most Cheerful Player
- Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer Saves 165 People From Camp Mystic, 'I Was Just Doing My Job'
- He Lost His Whole Family to a Flood, Ten Years Later, He’s There for Others in Texas
- Two Texas Sisters Share About Surviving the Flood at Camp Mystic
- Brave 12-Year-Old Boy is Honored After Saving His Family From a House Fire
- A Daughter Finds Connection to the Father She Never Knew Who Died in Vietnam
- She’s Raising Two Sons with a Rare Condition—and Showing Others How They Thrive
- A Neighbor's Call Saves the Life of a Newborn Baby Whose Mom Had Passed Away
- After Months of Paralysis and a Ventilator, Mom Talks to Young Son and Tells Him 'I Love You'
- Shelter Dog Detects a Stranger's Medical Emergency and Becomes a Hero
- Grieving the Loss of Their Daughter, They Chose to Keep Fostering Hope
- Gloria and Bernice, Identical Twins Turn 100, Celebrate Decades of Memories
- Father of Three Dies After Being Struck By Lightning While On Golf Course
- Married 18 Years, Parents of 4 Are Both Diagnosed with Stage 4 Cancer
- He Lost His Wife. She Lost Her Husband. Together, They Found a New Beginning
- She Earned Her Degree, Then Gave Her Dad a Second Chance at Life
- They Were Told Their Pup Had Been Hit By a Car, 4 Years Later They Found Her Alive
- New York Soccer Coach Collapses On the Field, Parents Jump in to Save Him
- Community Gathers to Remember 12-Year-Old Girl Who Died in a Scooter Accident
- After Surviving Family Tragedies, Stroke, and Coma, Teen Walks in Her Graduation Ceremony
- Civilian Stops to Save Woman in a Burning Car, 'It Could Have Been My Mom'
- They Adopted a Baby Boy, Then Extended Extraordinary Grace to His Birth Mother
- Cancer Survivor Shocks Everyone With His 4th Lottery Win
- Brian Wilson, Co-Founder of the Beach Boys, Passes Away at 82
- Vietnam Vet Passes Away, His Mailman Rushes to Adopt His Dog
- 4-Year-Old Called a Hero After Teacher Collapses at Daycare, and She Knows Exactly What to Do
- After 100-Mile Journey, Including a Swim, Missing Golden Retriever Mix is Finally Back Home
- Life Delayed Her Dream, But Didn’t Deny it. At 88, She Became a Graduate, and Witness to God’s Timing
- Gary Sinise Opens Up About His Son’s Death and the Gift of Grandfatherhood
- Young Girl is Saved by Good Samaritan After Falling 15 Feet Into a Waterfall
- Retired Alaska State Trooper Helps Rescue Husband Pinned by 700-lb Boulder
- 9 Year Old Boy Saves Mom and Newborn Sister By Calling 911, 'My Mom Could Have Died'
- Police Escort Paralyzed Teen to Prom Years After Childhood Shooting
- Young Boy in Wheelchair Walks at His Kindergarten Graduation, Surprising His Family
- Woman Credits Her Faith After Tire Flies Through SUV Windshield in Near-Death Crash
- 98-Year-Old Twins Cherish Life, Love, and Faith While Living Next Door to One Another
- Airman Served in WW2, Now He is Finally Coming Home 81 Years After He Died
- Teens Are Heroes After Saving Family From Fire On Their Prom Night
- She Survived 3 Weeks Lost in the Wild, Fighting Off Animals and Snowstorms
- Triplets Graduate From Texas Tech Together, All Earning Degrees in Media and Communication
- She Lost Her Son's Baby Book, But It Was Returned to Her at the Right Moment
- Man and His Dog Reunited After Being Hit by Drunk Driver
- Nurse With Caring Spirit Says Yes to Dying Mother's Wish For Her Son, and It's Beautiful
- She Never Told Her Friends She Was the School Mascot, Then Shares Her Secret at Graduation
- Mom Donates Kidney to Daughter, Now They’re Graduating Nursing School Together
- Grieving Son Finds Kindness When Trying to Print a Photo of His Mother Who Just Passed Away
- Nebraska Mom Raised Concerns About Husband's Mental Health Before Tragic Murder-Suicide
Top Artists
Top Music Videos

Brad Stine Has Issues Brad Stine’s Hysterical Take on Adam Naming the Animals is Pure Gold

Comedian Nazareth Comedian Nazareth Hilariously Explains How Most Things In Life Revolve Around Food and Eating

chris rupp Chris Rupp’s Soul-Stirring A Cappella Version of 'Beautiful Savior' Is a Must-Listen

Universal Music Group Dolly Parton, Blessing Offor Captivate In 'Somebody's Child' Official Video

Bill and Gloria Gaither Guy Penrod's Stirring Live Performance of 'Then Came The Morning'
Blog
At GodTube, you’ll find daily inspirational videos to lift your spirits and encourage you in your walk with God. Popular videos include worship music from your favorite Christian artists, cute videos with adorable kids and animals, hilarious videos from Christian comedians, user-uploaded videos, and clean viral videos to brighten your day.