When he got to Levi and presented him with the new pajamas, Farrish recalls, “I said, ‘You were hurting this morning, you were crying, so I got you these pajamas.'” He goes on to describe Levi’s reaction to his new nighttime duds: “He was so excited — you should’ve seen how his face lit up.” He also added that the first grader hugged his new pajamas excitedly to his chest.
When Engelhard Elementary School got wind of Farrish’s compassionate gift to Levi, they did a news release with an adorable photo of Levi enjoying pajama day in his new jammies. The release included a quote from Levi himself, who said “I can tell Mr. Larry is nice and his heart is filled with joy. When he got me the pajamas, I did a happy cry.”
Stop it! I’m about to do a happy cry, too! Isn’t that the most precious thing you’ve ever heard? I know Larry’s small action on this day with stay with Levi his whole life long. Larry truly showed him a great example of loving your neighbor looks like in everyday life.
After a Facebook post by the school about Larry’s act of kindness, many parents in the school district expressed that they were not at all surprised to hear that Larry Farrish, Jr. had stepped up to help.
“Mr. Larry is the absolute best. We were blessed with him as our bus driver for 4 years. Top notch human,” one commenter wrote.
“Larry is the absolute best and kiddos know they are in great, caring, capable hands with him!!” another chimed in.
For his part, Larry says that he loves driving a bus and that it’s his calling. His previous jobs as a corrections officer and a truck driver weren’t quite the right fit, but now he knows he’s where he’s supposed to be.
“I’ve been driving buses for seven years. It’s my passion because I get to build bonds with the children,” he says. “I truly love every minute of it.”
If only everyone was this compassionate to those they interact with daily, the world would truly be a better place. One small act of kindness can radically change a person’s future, and I have no doubt that Levi will remember Larry’s actions when he himself encounters a child in need one day.
