‘A black and white dog came running toward us. The owner was an older gentleman. He’s always alone—no wedding ring.’: Woman reminds us that during difficult times ‘we all want to know we’re not walking alone’

“Every week since Corona began, we take a walk on the nature trails—a different location each time.

And every week, if my daughter sees a dog, she stops to ask its owner their name and gender. Some people find this endearing, others are annoyed.

Today we returned to a park we’d been to a few weeks ago, and as we were sitting by the pond, a black and white dog came running toward us and jumped in for a swim.

‘Hi, Molly!’ Campbell said.

She’s asked the names of hundreds of dogs by now, there’s no way to remember each one. Except my daughter has a superpower that makes anything possible: autism.

This was indeed Molly.

Molly’s owner is an older gentleman. I don’t know his story, but he’s always alone—no wedding ring, no one to talk or walk with. The smile that spread across his face when my daughter acknowledges his dog is one, I’ll carry with me forever.

‘What a nice welcome,’ he said. ‘Thank you for remembering us.’

In a time where people cross streets to avoid each other, and wear masks to conceal their smiles, my daughter still found a way to connect. Her curious questions allowed her to give that man the gift we’re all searching for: The ability to be seen.

We all want to know we’re not walking alone.

We all just want to be remembered.”

This story was submitted to Love What Matters by Stephanie Hanrahan. Follow Stephanie on Facebook here, Instagram here and visit her website here. Do you have a similar experience? We’d like to hear your important journey. Submit your own story here. Be sure to subscribe to our free email newsletter for our best stories, and YouTube for our best videos.

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