Carer Brings 94-Year-Old To Tears When She Hands Him Pillow With Wife's Picture On It

May 01, 2020 by apost team

Ever since his wife Ada’s passing around nine months ago, 94-year-old Garstang, England resident Ken Benbow hasn’t slept without a picture of his wife close to him. In an act of thoughtful kindness, Benbow’s carer Kia Tobin gifted the war veteran a pillow with his beloved wife’s portrait printed on it this April, moving him to tears in an emotional video that has spread across the internet.

Benbow is a 94-year-old former Royal Army serviceman who lives at Thistleton Lodge nursing home, according to Daily Mail. Tobin, who works for the NHS as a carer at the nursing home, came up with the perfect gift after she noticed that Benbow was attached to his wife’s photo, which he reportedly has hugged everyday since her passing. Before her passing, the paper reports that the couple had been married for over seven decades.

According to the Daily Mail, the Thistleton Lodge nursing home video taped and shared the heartwarming exchange on April 18. “We know our residents are missing their loved ones at this time but let's not forget those who sadly aren't here with us any more,” the nursing home wrote. “Today, one of our lovely staff Kia Mariah Tobin gave Ken a pillow with his beloved wife on who we also cared for. Safe to say we all shed a tear with Ken today.”

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The emotional video quickly led to an appearance on Good Morning Britain. After Tobin hands a Benbow the surprise gift in the brief clip, he almost immediately begins to cry as he hugs the pillow close to him and kisses his wife’s face.

According to Good Morning Britain’s host, Piers Morgan, the video accumulated over 4 million views in one day. Thanks to the media attention in the days and weeks following the video’s widespread success, Benbow’s amazing life as a Royal Navy Serviceman also came to light. Daily Mail reports, for example, that Benbow was inspired to join the armed forces when he was just 14 years old after he was struck by the sight of wounded troops at Oswestry station. That led to his enlistment three years later and tours of duty not only in the Pacific theater, but also in the European theater as part of the historic D-Day invasion.

His military career began, however, on the HMS Raleigh —and later on — on the HMS Crane, an anti-aircraft and anti-submarine ship, according to Daily Mail. Among his first tasks as a soldier was helping to defend U.S. ships that were transporting supplies to Britain across the Atlantic.

It was only after his exciting life in the navy, which he left in 1946, that he married Ada, his late, dear wife of 71 years. And now thanks to Tobin’s help, Benbow will have a physical reminder of the love of his life that he can hold close for the years to come.

What do you think of Kia Tobin's gift? Have you heard of similar stories in your community? Let us know and pass this heartwarming video on to family members and friends who might benefit from a little good news.