It’s spooky season—a time for fun, scares, and a bit of darkness. During this time of year, we expect to see creepy decorations everywhere. While it’s not yet time for the cheerful holiday season, Halloween’s eeriness doesn’t mean we can’t show kindness. One Halloween enthusiast shared a heartwarming message in a TikTok video that quickly went viral, reminding us that compassion still has a place, even amidst ghosts and goblins.
Salena Webb, a mother of four from South Carolina, loves Halloween. Like many others, she celebrates by decorating her yard with Halloween items. Salena created an elaborate graveyard scene in her front yard, complete with ghosts, spiderwebs, pumpkins, a witch, tombstones, and skeletons carrying a casket. It took a lot of time to set up the display.
However, things changed when Salena’s neighbor approached her with a request. He explained that his elderly father, who had just been diagnosed with lung cancer, found some of the decorations unsettling. He pointed to the graveyard scene and asked, “Would you mind taking just the casket out?”
Salena felt sympathetic right away. Since her neighbor’s dad often spent time in his garage, which faced her yard, she understood why removing the casket was important. “I didn’t want to be a reminder of what could happen if he doesn’t beat cancer,” she told Insider. “I didn’t want to add stress to someone else’s life.”
Salena removed the casket and gave the skeletons badminton rackets instead. She moved the scarier decorations to her backyard. “I was a little sad at first,” Salena wrote in her TikTok caption, “But I realized that taking away the casket wouldn’t hurt me, but it might help my neighbor feel better as he deals with this news. Kindness is free, and compassion goes a long way.”
Many people praised Salena for her kindness. She posted the video and asked her followers what they would have done in her situation. While some said they wouldn’t have taken down their decorations, many praised Salena for her compassion.
“Now this is what being a good neighbor is all about. Kindness doesn’t cost anything. Thank you!” one user commented.
Another person wrote, “This was beautifully handled. The world needs more people like you! God bless you!”
Salena’s neighbor also appreciated her gesture. After she took down the casket, she brought him a card and some balloons. Even though there was a language barrier between them, she could tell he was thankful. He told her, “You’re good people.”
In this spooky season, Salena’s story reminds us that even in a world filled with eerie decorations, kindness and understanding are invaluable. 🎃💖