Get the tissues ready because this story will leave even the most cynical person in tears.
Sesame Street has been bringing joy to children since first premiering in 1969. And the internet was reminded of how big of an impact the show has on kids after puppeteer Carroll Spinney held a Reddit AMA on Thursday.
Spinney, the man behind characters like Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch for the past 46 years, answered questions from fans that included: what is the hardest part of the job (tired arms), and what was his weirdest appearance as Big Bird, (when the costume's eye popped out while filming in Georgia).
But it was this heartbreaking story he told during the AMA that will definitely leave you in tears.
One Redditor asked Spinney what was the most meaningful interaction he had with a child. He went on the tell a very sad, but real story about a little boy who was battling cancer.
The parents of 5-year-old Joey wrote to Spinney, asking if he would call their son since the only thing that would cheer him up was watching Big Bird on TV. So Spinney got on the phone as Big Bird and chatted with the young fan for about ten minutes.
"I'm glad you're my friend Big Bird," Joey said during the call. "I'd better let you go now," Spinney responded.
"Thank you for calling me Big Bird. You're my friend. You make me happy," the boy's final words to his beloved character was.
What happens next will touch your heart. Spinney revealed that Joey's parents were sitting next to him during the call because he had been doing poorly that day and they didn't know how long he had left.
Big Bird's call made this young cancer patient smile, something he hadn't done in months. Joey's father wrote to Spinney after saying that his son was thrilled to have called Big Bird his friend. And then he closed his eyes and passed away.
"And I could see that what I say to children can be very important," Spinney said in the AMA.
The father said that seeing his son smile one more time before passing away was a gift.
It's amazing to hear what an impact Sesame Street characters have on the lives of not only children, but their parents as well.
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Photo: Sesame Street | Facebook
