Gina Michelle says her "heart literally burst" when she learned about 94-year-old Wally, the sweet man who stands outside his daughter's middle school every morning [1] to greet the students, encourage them to have a good day and be kind, and best of all: fist-bump them. Even more heartwarming is the fact that her daughter Audrey says Wally is the best part of her day.
"This is literally one the coolest things I have ever seen. Y'all know I am all about encouragement! This takes it up a notch!" Gina wrote in a Facebook post, explaining that she took Audrey to the drop-off location [2] in front of school when her daughter mentioned wanting to be dropped off at the corner so she could "talk to the cute, little old man."
"'Who's the cute little old man?' I asked. 'He stands at the steps where you drop me off and encourages all the students as they walk in. He talks about kindness and gives us advice and fist bumps! It's the best part of the day!'" Gina wrote. "So when I drove by I saw him and my heart literally burst. This is exactly the kind of love and support our middle schoolers need. This man stands out side the school every day and gives the gift of encouragement to every student that comes near him. . . I strive to be like this guy as much as possible, we all should. My day has officially been made!"
"In a world full of hurt and discouragement, be a Wally."
Gina also shared a photo of the man, mid fist bump with one of the middle schoolers. After her post started to gain attention, the mom shared on her blog's Facebook page, Living Out Loud With Gina [4], that Wally made her heart "full and happy," and told followers, "In a world full of hurt and discouragement, be a Wally."