Ken Bembow is a British war veteran. He has been sleeping with a framed photograph of his late wife, Aida, every night. Aida passed away nine months ago.
Thistleton Lodge carer Kia Mariah Tobin thought it was dangerous since Ken could cut himself if the glass frame breaks. So she gave the veteran a sweet surprise.
Kia surprised the 94-year-old veteran over the weekend by giving him a pillow that had a photo of Aida. The sweet veteran was overcome with emotions when he saw it.
And it was obvious from the look on Ken’s face that he loved the pillow.
A staff member from the facility captured the moment, eventually posting the video on Facebook.
“We know our residents are missing their loved ones at this time but let’s not forget those who sadly aren’t here with us anymore,” they wrote.
“Today, one of our lovely staff Kia Mariah Tobin gave Ken a pillow with his beloved wife on who we also cared for. Safe to say we all shed a tear with Ken today. Lots of love, your Thistleton Lodge family.”
The viral videonow has 572K views and coutning since it was posted on Saturday. Many news outlets eventually heard of the sweet surprise adding their story on their program.
Three days later, the duo appeared on Good Morning Britain. They shared with the world how much the gift meant to Ken.
Ken couldn’t help himself, as he got emotional recalling the moment the 17-year-old caregiver surprised him with the pillow. It really was such a thoughtful gesture.
“It was so touching, it was lovely,” he told hosts Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid. “The most precious thing anyone could ever wish for.”
Ken fought in World War II. He shared that he and his wife Aida had been married for 71 years long before she passed away. He called her “the best little woman in the world.”
“She was the most loving, caring, beautiful wife anyone could wish to have. She never did a thing wrong in her life,” Ken said of his late wife.
Ken went on to say that they never really wanted to live in a care facility. But Thistleton Lodge turned out to be “the most wonderful place in the world” with “excellent” staff members.
Ken had no regrets. Especially with Kia, as she was definitely one of the best in the facility.
The elderly caregiver moved into the lodge two weeks ago. It’s there that she helps protect all its senior residents from contracting the coronavirus.
Kia said she just wanted to make Ken smile.
“It was amazing. It was just so rewarding, as well, because for something that doesn’t cost a lot… [and] for something so small, it made him so happy,” Kia said during the interview. “Everyone was so emotional about it.”
All her efforts were worth it. Ken went on to say that Kia made him the “happiest man in the world.”
Watch Kia and Ken’s very sweet moment below.
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