We sometimes think children don’t notice the sacrifices their parents make.
Admittedly, the job can be a bit thankless, as raising tiny humans to become responsible adults means at times doing the right thing even when it’s hard.
So, in a story that is going viral, a father’s sacrifice from more than 30 years ago has come full circle, in a much-needed reminder, that yes, our kids do notice the things we do for them. And it matters.
Lindsey Moore posted a TikTok video recently, that begins with the caption, “I got my dad for secret Santa. I’ve been waiting 30 years for this.”
@lindseyswagmomIm not crying, you’re crying♬ original sound – Lindsey Moore
The footage unfolds as Lindsey presents her father, Ted Lawver, with a greeting card containing a heartfelt message recounting a pivotal moment in her life.
Lindsey recalls a vivid childhood memory when, at the age of 7 or 8, her father left her and her brother in the car, while he entered a store to sell his most prized possession – the rookie card of NFL legend Dan Marino.
In her note, she expresses the valuable lesson she learned about the greater good and the determination to secure a better future for her family.
“I was maybe 7 or 8 and you left me and Nick to go into a comic book store. Money was tight, so you were selling your most prized possession. In the moment, I felt your sacrifice and it taught me that I would do whatever was necessary to ensure my future family never needed for anything. It was a lesson that stuck with me since that moment,” Lindsey continued. “It taught me the value of the greater good.”
In that moment,” she wrote, “as you got back in the car with extra cash for whatever bills due, groceries needed, my 7-year-old mind was determined to buy it back.”
“I knew I would work hard to repay you. I will never be able to fully repay that debt. Seven-year-old me would be so elated to see that I finally fulfilled that promise I made to myself. Thank you for everything. I love you, Linny,” Lindsey wrote, signing off with her childhood nickname.
The emotional ending of the video comes as Ted Lawver unwraps a small gift bag to reveal a yellow padded envelope. With tears, he opens the envelope to find the long-lost Dan Marino rookie card, still sealed in its original packaging.
The Dan Marino football card Lindsey Moore returned to her father. Photo courtesy of Moore
The TikTok clip has resonated with viewers worldwide, garnering an impressive 1.2 million likes and nearly 3,000 comments. Many viewers shared their own stories of parental sacrifices, emphasizing the enduring impact such acts can have on a child’s perspective.
“Kids always listen and notice things even when you think they didn’t” one viewer said “My dad did the same thing! Every year he sold his comics to pay for Christmas (and birthday) gifts. I never knew till I was an adult,” another added.
This serves as a reminder that the love we show our children, the kindness we teach them, isn’t always something we’re aware of. Parents often just do and sacrifice, hoping that in some small way, it will matter in the long-run. And as Lindsey showed her father, it does matter.
Watch below for a look at this heartwarming gesture.
Sources: People | Good Morning America
