Anyone who has ever cared for a parent who is suffering from Alzheimer’s disease knows how difficult and heartbreaking this can be. Julie Bick of North Bend, Ohio is one woman who knows all about this from firsthand experience.

Julie’s father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s right after her mother died last year. Since then, Julie and her two children have moved in with her father to take care of him.

One of the hardest parts about taking care of her father is taking things away from him. Julie has had to confiscate the keys to his truck, and she can’t allow him to do the household and yard work that the always loved doing.

“After some research, I found out that Alzheimer’s patients like routines and if you break them, they can get pretty upset and emotional,” Julie said.

There was one routine of her father’s that he loves so much that Julie does not want to interfere with it.

Harold, the local garbage man, has always enjoyed talking to Julie’s father, and he knows how much their conversations mean to the older man. Julie’s dad looks forward to talking to Howard when he comes to their house every Monday.

“If we miss Harold when he comes, he will always go the extra mile to walk our cans back to our garage,” Julie said. “I’ve heard other neighbours say that Harold will even knock on your door if the pickup day is around a holiday and you have forgotten to take your garbage out.”

Julie was feeling depressed on a Monday morning recently, so she went to their porch to cry so that her father would not see.

She was still on the porch when she heard the garbage truck approaching, and then she heard her dad walking around the garage looking for a chair.

“I asked what he was doing and offered my help,” Julie recalled. “He said he needed a chair to sit down, as he is very unstable on his feet. I asked, ‘Where would you like the chair?’ as I was carrying it out of the garage. He requested I take it to the end of the driveway so he can visit with Harold.”

What her father said next touched Julie’s heart.

“As we were walking to the end of the driveway, my father stops me and says, ‘Harold is my friend. He is religious and I would like a moment with Harold so we can pray for you.’ I gave him his space and walked back to the porch with my eyes loading up with tears. I remember thinking to myself as I was walking back to the porch that no matter what disease my father has, it will never take away his love for me,” Julie recounted.

When Julie got back to the house, she saw Harold and her father talking, and she immediately snapped a photo.

“A moment like that, you just don’t see every day,” Julie said. “This simple act of kindness has touched me so much. Harold has touched my heart and I knew I had to share this with friends and family on Facebook. I did, and many asked me to please make the post public so they can share it. I have and this single post has reached thousands. There is so much good in this world, and it starts with simple acts of kindness. Harold, thank you for your kindness and prayers. I will never forget this moment.”

This serves as a reminder of just how powerful a small act of kindness can be! SHARE this story so your friends and family can see this as well!