Toddler hugs pizza guy out of the blue – mom later learns he had just lost his daughter

We often underestimate the remarkable intuition of children. While they may lack the knowledge and experience of adults, their ability to sense and respond to emotions can be truly astonishing. This was evident when a 2-year-old boy offered an unexpected hug to a pizza delivery driver, unaware of the grief he was carrying. As reported by ABC 6, the man, who had recently lost his teenage daughter, was deeply moved by the simple yet profound gesture.

Ryan Catterson, the delivery driver, had just endured the devastating loss of his 16-year-old daughter—a pain that few can imagine and even fewer can bear. Despite his grief, Ryan returned to work, trying to move forward amidst the overwhelming emotions. While delivering a pizza to a family in West Warwick, Rhode Island, he experienced a moment of unexpected comfort. After dropping off the order and stepping off the front porch, the family’s young son ran after him. Without hesitation, the boy wrapped his arms tightly around Ryan in a spontaneous hug. Touched, Ryan bent down and hugged him back, visibly moved by the child’s pure and unprompted kindness.

The boy's mother, Lindsey Sheely, ran out after her son, initially intending to stop him from bothering their guest. However, witnessing the heartfelt interaction, she realized just how meaningful the moment was for Ryan. Sometimes, the simplest gestures—like a hug from a child—can carry an impact far greater than words ever could.

It was only after she happened to chat with Ryan did she realize the hug was better than any tip she could have given him. Luckily, the adorable moment was caught on video through their doorbell security camera. Lindsey decided to share the sweet interaction on social media. Eventually, the video made its way to Ryan, who shared with her how much the exchange, as well as the clip, meant to him. "After losing my daughter this past week, it touched me because it was like she was there. It really just meant a lot to me. It's going to be tough not going to be able to hug her again," he said. "A lot of people are commenting that may have been her looking out for me. Those words mean something. Maybe she's there."

Ryan's daughter used to live with his former wife Danielle McCord in California. According to her, the little boy's actions are a lesson in empathy. She explained, "It's so easy to miss people and their internal pain. Even with our daughter, we didn't know her pain. I can't help but be grateful that someone saw his pain and could be there for him." Reportedly, Ryan and Danielle's daughter struggled with mental health issues growing up. For Ryan, the moment he shared with the toddler lasted only a few seconds, but he said he would treasure it forever, just like he does the memory of his daughter. Ryan and Danielle have initiated a GoFundMe for those interested in contributing toward funeral expenses. If you'd like to help them out, click here. As the bereaved parents try to cope with their loss, it's heartwarming to know there are kind souls out there—even if they're only 2 years old!—who can nurture and heal our hearts.

This article originally appeared 4 years ago.