Some people manage to find a silver lining in any situation, even when that situation at hand is the daunting and seemingly neverending COVID-19 virus.

Ever since the outbreaks began, we’ve been hearing all about contagion, but one specific elderly man has a unique perspective on the concept, which he took to TikTok to share with the public.

While most people are panicking about the state of the world and roaming the streets with masks on their faces and fear in their chests, or hiding away inside their homes, one specific elderly man has chosen to recognize the bright side of the situation.

An account belonging to someone named Shannon McCluskie uploaded a short video on TikTok of an elder man reading an inspiring poem. In the video, the old man, who is presumably her grandfather, recites a poem about something that spreads virally— but he’s not talking about the infamous disease that is COVID-19.

The poem instead explains how joy, happiness, and smiles in particular, can be just as contagious as the flu. “A smile can be very contagious,” he says. “You can catch it like the flu. Someone smiled at me today, and I started to smile, too!”

The rest of the poem is a funny, heartwarming, and unique perspective to consider. It speaks to our hearts because right now, people are experiencing such great uncertainty and lack of security. COVID-19 has us all either cooped up in our homes or walking 6 feet apart with masks and gloves on.

Who would have thought that in 2020 we’d be avoiding people because we care about them? It’s simultaneously beautiful and difficult to deal with at times.

Shannon McCluskie has only uploaded this one video to TikTok, which has been viewed over 3.5 million times, meaning it was popular enough that we were able to identify the man in the video! His name is Frank Davis.

Frank Davis is a joyous 93-year-old man and former veteran in London who says that he’s known that song since he was a young schoolboy in Nova Scotia.

Although it is unclear who actually wrote the poem, as comedian, writer, and poet, Spike Milligan shared a similar rendition with the world in 2002.

We’re sure that regardless of the origin, Spike Milligan would have appreciated Davis’ rendition, Especially considering the circumstances! In a time where everyone is encouraged to avoid one another, wear masks to cover their mouths, and stay home, we must keep in mind what is leading us to such behavior in the first place.

Love. That’s right. Love and care for the people in our lives and the people in the world around us is what is driving us to continue following social distancing practices, even when we miss the joy of human connection.

Now, Frank could use a little bit of the love that he shared with the rest of the world, back. His wife, named Irene, passed away on Sunday, April 5th, the same day of their 74th wedding anniversary. Unfortunately, due to the circumstances, he won’t be able to have a big family filled funeral as he had hoped.

Frank and Irene had a long, happy, and beautiful marriage, and right before she passed away, he was even able to share one final poem, that he had written just for her.

All Frank really wants now, is for all of us to remember just how precious life is, and how much better a smile can make any moment. So keep spreading love, happiness, and smiles, just like Frank would want you to!

Watch the video to hear the entire poem.

Please SHARE this with your friends and family.

Watch on TikTok

Sources: Inspire More, TikTok, The London Free Press