MY SON ASKED A JANITOR ONE QUESTION IN A MALL FOOD COURT —

At the mall food court, my 6-year-old son, Micah, noticed Frank, an older janitor who looked weary. Micah boldly invited Frank to sit with us, offering his cookie and asking if Frank missed his dad. Frank, overcome, hugged Micah, revealing his son James died two years ago. The food court stilled as Frank shared his grief, and Micah comforted him, saying we carry loved ones in our hearts. Frank joined us briefly, and Micah promised future visits. Two weeks later, Micah insisted we return. Frank, lighter now, had cut his hours to join us Thursdays,

starting a tradition of shared lunches and stories. A year later, at Micah’s 7th birthday, he called Frank “Grandpa Frank,” who brought a book of baseball stories. Frank, emotional, asked if I minded the title; I didn’t—he’d earned it. Micah’s kindness forged a family bond, healing Frank and enriching our lives in unexpected ways.