Mom In Tears Over Present Friendly Sanitation Worker Gifted Her Special Needs Daughter

Feb 02, 2022 by apost team

You never know what kids will be able to make into a joyful experience. For Emma Grace Johnson, a 5-year-old from Vestavia Hills, Alabama, the highlight of her week is trash day. Emma loves big trucks, so seeing the garbage truck is especially fun for her. Emma has special needs, and her bright personality makes the day for everyone around her. One person, in particular, is sanitation worker Elbert Berry. 

Emma and Berry struck up a friendship after Emma waved to Berry through the window of the large truck. Since then, they greet each other every week, and Berry will even stop to give Emma a hug. According to the girl's mom, Laura Johnson, Emma needed some cheering up after her grandfather passed away in September 2020. So this friendship with Berry couldn't have come at a better time for Emma. 

The girl has proven herself to be a very caring friend. On Berry's birthday, she made him a birthday card that included a photo of them, and she hand-wrote a message. Berry was incredibly touched by this and wanted to thank Emma, so he went out and got her a gift as well. Berry had a necklace made with the photo of the two of them together, and on the back, he had a personal message engraved.

The friendship between Berry and Emma shows that it only takes a little kindness to make someone feel special. Laura hopes that more people will be like Berry and celebrate when someone does the right thing. Read on to learn more about this touching story.

At just age 5, Emma has had a busy life. She was born a "micro-preemie" in Hungary and spent the first four months of her life in the hospital. She was then released to an orphanage, where she lived until the Johnson's adopted her when she was 3-years-old.

The young girl absolutely loves her family. After he had a medical procedure, Emma's grandfather moved into the family's home to recuperate. The two became extremely close. In September of 2020, Emma's "granddaddy" passed away. "Emma Grace was devastated," her mother said. "Her best friend was gone."

In 2021, Emma became friends with Berry, and her spirits were raised. She decided to show her appreciation for the sanitation worker on his birthday. "The baby made me a birthday card, a handmade birthday card," Berry shared. "It said, 'I love you,' and she stuck the picture inside."

To thank Emma, Berry had a necklace made with the picture, and on the back, the words, 'You are the Best Part of My Day!' were engraved. 

Emma's mom recalled the moment the girl first saw the gift. "When he gave her the necklace his face just lit up. He was so proud to give it to her and make her smile," Laura said. "And it made me think that he was the kind of person who should be celebrated, but probably more important than that, he is the kind of person we should all try to be more like."

We agree with Laura that more people should be like Berry and spread love and kindness to others in their communities. 

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Do you think the friendship between these two is sweet? Do you know any kids that also look forward to trash day? Let us know, and feel free to send this along to your friends and family.