A Heart Bigger Than Her Years

My little cousin Harmony turned 9 last week. Like most kids her age, she could’ve asked for anything—new toys, a fancy cake, a big party with glitter and games. But when her parents asked her what she wanted, her answer stopped them in their tracks.

“I just want the whole family to come together… and bring gifts. Not for me, but so I can give them to the homeless.”

Imagine that. At 9 years old, Harmony’s greatest wish wasn’t for herself, but for strangers who had so much less.

So last weekend, our entire family gathered, arms full of wrapped packages, bags of warm socks, snacks, and envelopes of money. Together we drove to a local shelter, where Harmony, beaming with joy, handed out gifts one by one.

She didn’t just pass things out and rush off. She took time with every person, looking them in the eyes, offering hugs, asking their names. At one point, she found herself standing in front of an older man who seemed especially broken by life. Without hesitation, she reached out her small hand, took his weathered one, and began to pray over him.

The man bent forward, overcome, tears streaming down his face. I watched, holding my breath, as this tiny girl with braids and sparkly shoes comforted him in a way no adult ever could.

It was a moment so powerful it rooted me right to the spot.

I snapped a photo because I didn’t want to ever forget. A little girl’s big heart, a man’s silent pain finally breaking, and the way love flowed between them—raw, unfiltered, real.

Because everything about our city, Chicago, is real. The love is real, the hate is real, the killing is real, the poverty is real. But so too is compassion. So too is hope.

This is a real picture of my real, amazing little cousin—praying over a real man who couldn’t hold back his tears. I just thought I’d share it with you all. Because watching Harmony, I was reminded that it doesn’t take years to grow a mighty heart.

Sometimes the purest acts of kindness come from the smallest hands. 💛