Gina Heslop
In South Carolina, a mom of four named Salena Webb loves Halloween and puts a lot of effort into decorating her yard for the spooky season.
Every year, she creates elaborate displays filled with Halloween decorations like tombstones, skeletons, spiderwebs, ghosts, and even a casket. This year, she turned her yard into a haunted graveyard scene, complete with skeletons carrying a casket. It was a labor of love that took a lot of time and creativity.
One day, her neighbor approached her with a special request. He explained that his elderly father, who had recently been diagnosed with lung cancer, found the casket and tombstones unsettling.
Since the father often sat in the garage, which faced Salena’s yard, the decorations became a constant reminder of mortality, and it made him uncomfortable. The neighbor politely asked if she could remove the casket, as it was a painful reminder during an already challenging time for their family.
Salena understood the neighbor’s concerns immediately. She didn’t want to cause more stress for them, especially during such a difficult time.
Without hesitation, she decided to make some changes to her display. She took down the casket and gave the skeletons badminton rackets to make the scene less eerie. Salena also moved the spookier decorations to her backyard, out of view from the neighbor’s father.
In her TikTok video, Salena explained the situation, saying that, at first, she felt sad about changing her decorations. But she quickly realized that removing the casket could help make her neighbors feel better.
She shared a heartfelt message, “Kindness is free, and being compassionate really matters.” She asked her followers if they would have done the same, sparking a lot of responses. While some people said they might not have agreed to change their decorations, most of the comments praised her kindness.
One person commented, “Now this is what being a good neighbor is all about. Kindness doesn’t cost anything. Thank you!” Another said, “This was beautifully handled. The world needs more people like you! God bless you!” Her neighbor also showed his gratitude. After removing the casket, Salena even brought him a card and some balloons to show her support.
Salena’s story quickly went viral on TikTok, with many people touched by her thoughtful response.
Through a simple act of kindness, she turned Halloween into a season of compassion, showing that being considerate and empathetic can truly make a difference in someone’s life.
