Many people across the nation were touched by the heartwarming story of Roman Butzlaff, a 4-year-old boy in Concord, North Carolina, who befriended several of his elderly neighbors and became their adopted grandson. When the CBS Evening News aired its July 10 "On the Road" feature on Roman, I was amazed at his genuine desire to connect with individuals decades older. I'm sure others found this odd at first, as Roman was spending his mornings saying "hey" to everyone walking by his home instead of being immersed in a video game. Many children his age would have ignored the passersby, but he found them fascinating. Roman's mother, Anna Butzlaff, explained that her son "wakes up every day excited to say 'hi' to somebody ... that's the first thing he wants to do." The CBS story also reported that Roman had become extremely lonely due to his parents breaking up and his grandparents not living nearby. Yet something sparked in him to reach out to strangers, people who would eventually become his extended family. Roman began asking his "senior citizen friends" to attend his baseball, soccer and basketball games. He gleefully raced his bike against his neighbor, who was driving a four-wheeled scooter. He helped wash a neighbor's car and enjoyed being pushed in a backyard swing. All were invited to his recent birthday party and preschool open house.

Roman is obviously having a ball with his elderly friends, and the unique part of his story is that he may draw more attention to loneliness for children his age, as well as the loneliness epidemic affecting seniors. A lot of current research on loneliness among youth focuses on boys between the ages of 11 and 17. Many boys younger than this cohort do not go outside to play as much as Roman does, and the internet and video games consume teens' attention. In addition, psychiatrists have identified the creation of imaginary friends and social regression as indicators of dangerous behaviors for younger kids. It is remarkable that instead of retreating into a personal shell after his parents separated, Roman decided to show himself friendly, or, as we older folks would say, "put himself out there." He is quite the social butterfly with his gentle smile and adorable knee-high hugs.

Roman brought together close to a dozen senior neighbors who did not know each other and probably would have remained cordially distant. Now they have a larger circle of friends to socialize with, which is very important in this stage of life. Roughly one in three seniors experiences the despair of loneliness, according to a National Poll on Healthy Aging study published in 2024 by the Journal of the American Medical Association. In another JAMA article titled "Social Isolation and Loneliness in Older Adults," published the same year, researchers explain that many elderly are lonely due to "lack of connections to family, friends, or community." They also point out that "social connectedness can increase longevity and improve emotional and physical health." It is clear that Roman's senior friends are blessed to be living vibrant lives. Most appear to be enjoying retirement, and Roman's presence will continue to brighten their days.

Roman truly embodies how the gift of a precious child from God can bring people closer. His meek and loving spirit reminds me why Christ said that we must receive the Kingdom of God as little children, and I've always believed that God uses children in special ways to shift our focus back to what matters most in life. Children intently study us and are sensitive to things that we, as adults, have often become unresponsive to because we are so entwined with the busyness of our schedules. When a child like Roman notices us, we immediately feel a release and a sense of joy and hope about the decency that remains in the world. This is what Roman's senior friends treasure most about him, as one beautifully stated, "If the world was like this child, what an awesome, awesome place it would be."

Dr. Jessica A. Johnson is a lecturer in the English department at Ohio State University's Lima campus. Email her at [email protected]. Follow her on X: @JjSmojc. To find out more about Jessica Johnson and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

Photo credit: Christian Bowen at Unsplash