Woman Runs past Funeral Home with Her Dog, a Grieving Little Girl Invites Her In

One heartbroken little girl was sitting outside a funeral home, grieving the loss of her father. Unexpectedly, a woman passing by caught her attention–and what followed was a display of heartwarming kindness.

One of the greatest pains a child can experience is the loss of a parent. No youngster should have to grow up without the guidance of their mom and dad, but unfortunately, it is a reality for many people.

Family, friends, and even strangers can offer people comfort as they mourn the death of loved ones. The smallest gestures, like a hug or a friendly smile, don't require lots of effort, but they can make a significant difference.

THE LITTLE GIRL TOOK AFTER HER FATHER

A six-year-old from Arkansas was undoubtedly daddy's little girl. The adorable Raelynn Nast adored her father, Davey, and the duo spent lots of time together.

They also had many similarities in their behavior and attitude. Raelynn's mom, Lacey, shared:

"Raelynn has always been extremely sociable and personable. She took that after her dad. It seemed like anywhere he went, he would always find someone to talk to."

The mom added that the little girl respected her dad and recalled: "[Raelynn] was very proud of her dad. She always wanted to introduce her dad to everybody."

THE LOSS WAS DEVASTATING FOR THE FAMILY

When Davey passed away due to colon cancer in 2021, his daughter was understandably grief-stricken. The loss left her shattered, and Raelynn's mom indicated that the emotions flowing from her little girl were devastating.

Lacey expressed:

"It was a cry that was pure heartbreak"

A FATEFUL MEETING BETWEEN TWO STRANGERS

Raelynn readied herself to say a final goodbye to her dad at the McConnell Funeral Home, and she sat outside the chapel steps—just in time to have a fateful meeting with a kind stranger.

Emily Beineman jogged past the funeral home accompanied by her dog, and she was surprised when a soft voice called out to her. The jogger explained that Raelynn asked to pet the puppy, and she agreed on the condition of her parent's approval.

THEY WERE AT HIS FUNERAL

Beineman had no idea about the little girl's pain, but she showed her kindness nonetheless. Raelynn was excited to pet the Labrador named Blue and told the stranger where her parents were.

Lacey believed the meeting with Beineman was a message from her daughter's dad.

The little girl smiled shyly and told Beineman that her mom was inside and her father had passed away. She pointedly added that they were at his funeral.

SHE EXTENDED AN UNEXPECTED INVITATION

Beineman was caught off guard, and before she could respond, her dog went over to the little girl. She recalled that Blue gently sat down in front of Raelynn, where she lovingly put her arms around him and "wouldn't let go."

Then, Raelynn extended an unexpected invitation to Beineman—she asked the random stranger if she wanted to meet her father.

THEY HAD AN INSTANT CONNECTION

The jogger wasn't dressed for the occasion, but she could see just how much the gesture would mean to the little girl. Beineman accepted the invitation, and Raelynn's mom explained what unfolded next.

She shared that all of the guests were curious about Beineman and wondered where she came from. They were also surprised by the connection between Raelynn and the jogger.

THE WOMAN'S KINDNESS HELPED HER HEAL

Family and friends were perplexed by the instant friendship between Beineman and Raelynn. When asked how they bonded in such a short space of time, the little girl had a simple answer.

Raelynn noted:

"She helped me feel better by her kindness."

A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM HER DAD

The stranger's gesture might have been small, but it was significant to the little girl. Lacey believed the meeting with Beineman was a message from her daughter's dad.

She expressed that it was Davey's way of speaking to his daughter and showing her that he was looking down on them and helping them deal with his passing.

A DOG'S LOVE

Dogs are a great source of comfort, and hugging them can brighten any cloudy day. Beineman suspected that her dog, who she affectionately referred to as her "gentle giant," sensed Raelynn was hurting and showered her with kisses and love.

The jogger added that her dog had a calmness about him that was indescribable and always brought solace to people. She also thanked God for granting them the opportunity to meet Raelynn "on one of the hardest days of her life."

Kindness, no matter how brief or simple, goes a long way. Beineman took a moment out of her day to help a girl who was painfully grieving her father, and she set an example for us. Click here for another inspiring story about the power of kindness.