“This story began a few years ago while driving a small bus route. I pick up a couple of young men in their late teens and early twenties. I notice one of the boys is interested in one of the older ladies on my bus. I heard the guy tell this lady that she resembles his grandma, who recently moved interstate, and then confess that he misses her horribly. He presses the button to signal his stop, but then offers this lady his phone number to assist her with any odd chores she may want…

Jump ahead to last week, and I recognize the elderly lady as she enters my bus. My curiosity drives me to reveal that I was the driver on duty when she met the young man a few years ago, and I ask about their development since then. She grins at me and tells me that day altered her life since this young man has been a bright spot in her life for the past few years.

He mows her small lawn once a week without fail, and while his business occasionally takes him interstate, a backup friend will do it for her instead. She receives at least two calls every week to check on her well-being, as well as a couple of social visits that include a few essential items. He has recently been working interstate and has been unable to see her owing to border closures, but he has called almost every night to check on her health.

In his absence, he has asked friends and family to conduct “social distancing” visits to her, ensuring she gets not only essentials but also responsible human contact. The young man’s entire family has befriended her, and she met the young man’s grandma for the first time last Christmas. I believe this type of pandemic should spread…well done, young man.”