Becoming a widow or a widower is perhaps the hardest thing you will ever go through in life. And yet, unless somebody is young when they tragically lose their partner, we don’t often offer that person the support they so desperately need.

It’s common for the elderly to live alone for years on end after the passing of their wives or husbands, and many of them are incredibly lonely.

One elderly woman, 80-year old Eleanor Baker, had taken to eating alone at Brad’s Bar-B-Que in Oxford, Alabama after her husband’s passing. But she never could have imagined what would happen when three younger men followed her into the restaurant…

Baker currently lives on her own with her dog Rufus. She still sees her relatives, but as they live out of town, she doesn’t always have a companion to share enjoyment with on a daily basis.

That’s why she had taken to eating by herself at the barbecue restaurant. Of course, dining alone isn’t the most ideal option, but to her, it was better than nothing.

As Baker entered the restaurant, she had no idea that the three men who entered behind her had even noticed her. But they had, and they realized she was looking a little lonely.

Baker spoke to CBS News of the evening’s events, saying that she believed she had been sent to the restaurant that night for a reason. She said: “It was a God thing. I think God sent me there [as an example that] people care about other people and how important it is.”

She had only been sitting alone for a few minutes when the three men approached her. One of the men, Jamario Howard, decided that the elderly lady needed some company.

“He just came up and he said, ‘I saw you sitting over here alone,’ and he said, ‘do you mind having some company?’” Baker recalled.

And that was that. Baker gave them permission to sit, and the four proceeded to enjoy a meal together. They even had a photo taken to commemorate the moment.

So, what did it take for these three men to perform such an act of kindness on a stranger? The idea was mostly down to Howard, who had wanted to change the world for the better from a young age. He shared his belief that being kind and helpful can truly make the world a happier place.

The men never could have expected they’d enjoy the evening like they did. They confessed that by the end of the night, they realized they’d had a great time, and they already started to feel like Baker’s grandchildren.

Speaking to CBS News, Howard said: “I’m not rich. I’m not famous. And I’m not very smart either, so I can’t be president. But we can show the world it’s alright to be kind. And then, before long, maybe the world will be a much better place.”

We’re blown away by these three men and their selfless decision to keep an elderly lady company during her meal at a restaurant. While social distancing is keeping us all at home for the time being, Howard and his friends have inspired us to follow in their lead. Let us all approach anyone who looks lonely with the offer to brighten their day.

You can learn more about this heartwarming story by watching the video below.

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Source: Shareably, CBS News, YouTube/ CBS Evening News