When police officers vow to serve and protect their communities, they know they aren’t signing up for an easy task. But no matter how much training or how many years of experience, there are some days for which officers can’t possibly feel prepared.
Officer Brandon Fleming of the South Hill Police Department in Virginia recently had one of these days, until a “little angel” swept in out of nowhere and changed everything.
Brandon– a dad of 4– posted on Instagram saying he’d just responded to a “heartbreaking call” when he met 4-year-old Nariah.
Nariah and her mother had no idea that Brandon was having a rough day, but the little girl called him over for a birthday hug that absolutely melted the cop’s heavy heart. Check out Brandon’s story below:
While finishing up assisting with a heartbreaking call the other day I found myself sadly walking to my car alone in my thoughts.
Out of nowhere, I hear the sweetest little voice greeting me, ” Hi Mr Officer!!! and I turn to find this lovely young lady walking with her mom.
I was taken aback by her joyful nature and I attempt to greet her with as much jubilation as she did with me. I asked how she was and she informed me that she was great that day and that it was her birthday. I inquired into her age (she told me she was 4 years old ) and told her that she was very well spoken for someone so young.
Then my day, my week, my choice of profession was made.
She asked out of nowhere “Can I have a hug for my birthday??” I ran as fast as I could to her as she did to me and grabbed her and received the most genuine of hugs ever. She asked if I had a sticker badge she could have and, while I searched my car for what I thought I had, I was unable to locate one.
Immediately I asked her mother for her address and was pleasantly surprised when little Miss Neriah told me her own address and spelled out her name for me to write down. I asked about her favorite things & I told her that I would find her later that day & bring her a birthday present since I couldn’t find her a police badge.
After a couple of days of knocking on her door (no one was home during these times), I finally tracked down the little angel that turned my day around and brought her some presents for her birthday.
This right here people is why I do the job I do. For MY community. For EVERYONE’S children. For the betterment of US all.
If someone so small can show such a great deal of love and compassion to me, a complete stranger, then why can’t we all do the same for one another?
We sometimes forget how great and innocent a youthful mind can be and how wonderful and beautiful their perception of this world truly is.
Thank you Neriah….
For lifting the veil of clouds and showing me the true nature of things,
For giving me hope that all is not lost in this world,
For allowing me to be loved and cared for by my community,
For showing your bright spirit to me, and for making me just happy.
Nariah’s mom posted on Facebook about the happy meeting as well, calling Brandon “one of a kind” and sharing a sweet video of Brandon making good on his promise to the “birthday princess.”
Facebook
He thanked Nariah with several surprises…
…including a giant coloring book with illustrations of Disney’s Moana.
Facebook
It looks like Brandon and Nariah were both hugely blessed that day by one another!
Share this sweet story of kindness and compassion today!
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