Mom was deeply emotional after her 3-year-old son lost his foot in a lawn mower accident, but he reassured her that everything would be okay.

After a lawnmower accident resulted in the amputation of his left foot, Keirsten Marsico’s little son Joey consoled her by telling her that everything will be alright.

“I was crying naturally when he came out of surgery that night, and he just held my head and said, ‘Mommy, what’s wrong?’” Marsico told PEOPLE his story. “I told him, buddy, I’m really sad.”

Joey Marsico

Joey, who was only a few weeks away from turning four, was watching his grandfather Mark DeLuca mow the lawn outside their Whitehall, New York, home on Thursday, May 9, when he made a snap decision that put him in danger.

Keirsten talked about her “active little boy,” the youngest of her two children, saying that “he really loves tractors and enjoys helping with the lawn.” “He approached my dad, who was riding the lawnmower, from behind. My dad threw the mower in reverse before my mom could get to him, and everything happened all at once,” she remembered. “The events that led to what happened were a series of events.”

“It’s been tough on all of us, especially my parents who feel absolutely awful,” Keirsten continues. Specifically, my dad is distraught.

The family believes that Mark DeLuca’s quick use of a tourniquet probably saved Joey’s life. After being transported to Boston Children’s Hospital, Joey had many foot procedures before it was decided to amputate.

Despite the difficulties in his recuperation, Joey’s maturity and upbeat attitude have astounded his family and friends, as well as his caregivers and physicians.

Joey Marsico

“What a strong little guy,” Keirsten says. At times, conversing with him is like to conversing with a teenager. He has excellent adjustment.

Joey’s father, Joseph, remarks, “He’s always been that way—very understanding, perceptive of people’s emotions, and adept at coping with situations.” Joseph is reflecting on his son’s exceptional maturity. In addition, he speaks a lot and has a vocabulary that is above average for his age.

The Marsicos, along with their autistic 6-year-old daughter Gianna, settled into a new routine during Joey’s almost month-long hospital stay.

“We tried to maintain a sense of normalcy for my daughter because she attends school,” Keirsten says. “My spouse and I decided that one of us should stay at home with her because she needs routine.”

Joseph stayed stubbornly by Joey’s side, while Keirsten stayed at home. “He’s still by Joey’s side,” Keirsten underlines.

Keirsten reflects on a touching incident by saying, “The other day, as I was leaving Joey, I was crying, and he consoled me again.” I told him it was okay and that I didn’t have to be sad as he wiped away my tears. “I know, but I don’t like leaving you,” I said to him.

The Marsicos take comfort in the knowledge that Joey’s accident was a terrible exception and in their Catholic faith.

“My worst fear is that people will hear this story and think, ‘Why weren’t they watching him?’ or ‘How could they let this happen?’” admits Keirsten, expressing her deepest concern. As his mother, I’ve struggled with it.

She does, however, take solace in her faith, thinking that Joey’s experiences have a greater meaning. “I have to constantly tell myself that everything is happening for a reason. Even if we can’t see it now, God has a plan for him, Keirsten says.

She says, “I would tell someone else it’s an accident if they were in our shoes.” “Accidents happen, and focusing on ‘why’ won’t help—it will only make you feel bad about yourself.”

Keirsten highlights how resilient their family has been in the face of hardship. “We must change and get over what is going on. Our priorities are helping Joey and continuing to be a solid family unit.

After being away from home for almost a month following the accident, Joey was released from the hospital on June 5. Earlier last week, he had his fourth birthday celebration.

His parents are hopeful that he will heal and that he will soon get a prosthetic fitted. They are in awe of Joey’s capacity to communicate his emotions and offer consolation to others during this trying time.

Warmly, Joseph says, “He’s always been such a special little boy.”

I Saw a Little Girl Crying Alone in the Park and Decided to Help Her, Unaware That Our Meeting Would Change My Life — Story of the Day

I saw a little girl crying alone in the park and couldn’t walk away. She was lost, scared, and needed help. I had no idea that one small act of kindness would lead me into a world of wealth, suspicion, and unexpected bonds. What started as a simple rescue soon changed my life forever.

I trudged along the park path, my feet dragging against the gravel. The rejection still rang in my ears, the interviewer’s forced smile, the polite but final “We’ll be in touch.”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

I knew what that meant. I had no savings left, no backup plan. Rent was due in three days, and I had nothing. A lump formed in my throat.

Breathe, Claire, just breathe.

Then, through the quiet rustling of leaves, I heard it—a soft, hiccuping sob. I stopped, scanning the area.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

My eyes landed on a small figure perched on a thick tree branch, her legs dangling.

A little girl, no older than six, clung to the trunk, her cheeks streaked with tears.

I stepped closer, keeping my voice soft. “Hey there, are you okay?”

The little girl sniffled and shook her head. “No. I’m stuck. I can’t get down.”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

She clung to the rough bark, her small hands gripping the tree. I glanced around. No one else was nearby.

“Don’t worry. I’ll help you,” I said.

I reached for the lowest branch, hoisting myself up. The bark scratched my palms, but I climbed higher. The girl watched me, her eyes wide.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“Hold onto me,” I told her.

She wrapped her arms around my neck. I carefully lifted her, holding her close as I climbed down. My feet hit the ground. I set her down gently and wiped a tear from her cheek.

“There. You’re safe now,” I said.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

She sniffled, wiping her nose on her sleeve. “Thank you.”

“What’s your name?” I asked. “Where’s your mom?”

“Zoe,” she said. “I don’t have a mom.”

I hesitated. “I’m Claire. Where’s your dad?”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“He’s at work,” she said.

“Who were you here with?” I asked.

“My nanny,” Zoe said. “But I don’t know where she is.”

I frowned. “Do you want to look for her?”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“No. I just want to go home,” Zoe said.

I sighed. Leaving a lost child alone wasn’t an option. “Alright, let’s go,” I said.

Zoe grabbed my hand and started walking. “My dad is going to be really mad at Mila. He worries about me all the time.”

“Mila is…?” I asked.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“My nanny. She teaches me French and German,” Zoe said.

“Do you like that?”

She scrunched her nose. “No. She only cares about her fiancé. She flirts with him all the time.”

I laughed. “Who told you that?”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“Marta. She’s our housekeeper. Mila is her daughter.”

That told me one thing—her dad had money.

“Do you have a husband?” Zoe asked.

“Not yet,” I said.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“We’re here!” she shouted.

I looked up and nearly gasped. A massive mansion stood before us.

Zoe ran to the gate and started climbing. “Boost me up!”

I hesitated but lifted her. She landed on the other side, unlocked the gate, and pulled me toward the house.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

The moment we stepped inside, voices echoed through the grand hall.

“How could you lose my daughter?!” a man’s deep voice boomed.

“I—I don’t know,” a woman stammered. “She just disappeared.”

“You were supposed to stay at the park and wait for me! Not leave her alone and come back here!” The man’s voice grew sharper.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“I panicked,” the woman said. Her tone was weak, almost pleading.

“You’re fired the moment Zoe is found. Pray nothing happened to her, or I’ll take you to court,” the man threatened.

“Simon, don’t be so harsh,” an older woman interjected. “Mila made a mistake.”

Zoe’s grip on my hand tightened. She took a deep breath, then let go and ran toward the voice. I followed and stopped at the doorway.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“Daddy!” Zoe cried.

A tall man with sharp features knelt down and pulled her into his arms. His face softened as he hugged her tightly. His expensive suit wrinkled as he held her close.

The younger woman, standing a few steps away, looked pale. She had the same eyes as the older woman beside her. Mila and Marta, I realized.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Simon’s relief was brief. His sharp gaze turned to me. His whole body tensed. “Who are you? What were you doing with my daughter?” His voice was hard, demanding.

I raised my hands slightly. “I just brought her home. I was leaving.” I turned toward the door.

“Wait,” Simon called just as I stepped outside. I stopped, my hand hovering over the gate, then slowly turned back to face him.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“Zoe told me what happened. You helped her down from a tree, then walked her home. I’m sorry for how I reacted. I was scared.”

“It’s fine. I understand,” I said.

“Thank you for bringing her back. How can I repay you? Do you need money?”

I hesitated. “No, I don’t need money… but do you have a job opening?”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Simon studied me. “Well, there’s a vacant nanny position now. Zoe seems to like you.”

“Really? I’d be grateful.”

“Come inside. Let’s discuss it,” Simon said.

And that’s how I became Zoe’s nanny. She was a wonderful child—bright, curious, and full of energy.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Every day, she greeted me with a smile and a new story to tell. We played, read books, and made up silly songs.

She asked endless questions about the world, and I answered as best as I could.

When I looked at her, I saw a younger version of myself—hopeful, eager, but a little lost. At times, it felt like she was the daughter I never had.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Simon and I rarely spoke. In the mornings, he would nod before leaving for work.

In the evenings, he would check on Zoe and retreat to his office. Even so, I could see how much he loved her.

His face softened when she hugged him. His voice was gentle when he tucked her in at night.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Marta, however, made her disapproval clear. She barely spoke to me, but her cold stares said enough—she believed I had taken Mila’s job.

One evening, Simon texted, asking me to stay late. After tucking Zoe into bed, I went downstairs and found him in the kitchen, his shoulders slumped.

His tie was loosened, his hair slightly messy. His hands gripped a coffee mug.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“Zoe’s asleep,” I said, stepping into the kitchen.

Simon looked up, his eyes tired. It seemed like he had forgotten I was still there. “Thanks,” he muttered. “Sorry you had to stay late. I’ll pay you extra.”

“It’s fine,” I said. “I love spending time with her. If I didn’t need a job, I’d do it for free.”

Simon gave a small smile. “She likes you too. She asked me if you could be her mom.”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

I blinked. “Oh… that’s surprising.” I studied him for a moment. “Can I ask what happened to her mother?”

Simon’s face darkened. “She passed away during childbirth.” His voice was quiet. “Zoe is all I have left.”

“I’m so sorry,” I said. I didn’t know what else to say.

Simon nodded, looking down at his coffee mug. Then, after a pause, he looked back at me. “I like you too,” he said.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

I froze. “Oh… I—”

“As a person,” he clarified. “You bring light into this house.”

I exhaled. “Thank you. That means a lot.”

We talked for a while. Mostly about Zoe, her favorite books, the silly jokes she told at dinner.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

But the next morning, that feeling was gone. When I arrived at work, Simon stood by the gate. His expression was cold.

My stomach tightened. “What’s wrong?”

“You’re fired,” he said.

I stared. “What? Why?”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

He folded his arms. “I know you stole the jewelry. If you needed money, you could have asked.”

“I didn’t take anything! I swear!” My voice shook.

“Claire, please. It wasn’t just jewelry—it was my wife’s.”

“I have never stolen anything in my life!” Tears burned my eyes.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“Return it in two days, and I won’t press charges. If not, I’ll call the police.”

“But I didn’t take anything!” I cried.

Simon turned away, shutting the gate behind him.

I stood frozen, my chest tight, my hands trembling. Tears blurred my vision as I gasped for breath.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

My whole world had just crumbled. Simon thought I was a thief. He didn’t believe me. He had shut the gate without a second thought.

I wiped my face with the sleeve of my jacket and glanced up. Zoe stood at the window, her small hands pressed against the glass.

Her eyes were red and swollen, tears streaming down her cheeks. My heart ached.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

I forced a weak smile and waved. She lifted her hand slowly, then pressed her fingers to the glass. I turned and walked away, my legs heavy.

At home, I tore through my tiny apartment, checking drawers, cabinets, and bags. Nothing.

No hidden jewelry. No proof of my innocence. Exhausted, I curled up in my chair and cried myself to sleep.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

A sharp knock startled me awake. I rubbed my swollen eyes and shuffled to the door.

When I opened it, I froze. Zoe and Simon stood outside. He held a large bouquet of flowers.

Zoe nudged Simon’s side. “Say it,” she whispered, looking up at him expectantly.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Simon let out a slow breath, his grip tightening on the bouquet. “I’m sorry for yesterday,” he said. His voice was quieter than I’d ever heard it. “I shouldn’t have accused you without proof.”

My throat tightened. “I swear, I didn’t take anything,” I said. My voice shook, but I held his gaze.

He nodded. “I know. Marta framed you,” he admitted. “Zoe didn’t believe it, so she searched Marta’s things and found the jewelry. Marta wanted you gone so Mila could have her job back.”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

I let out a breath. “I see. That must have been hard for you to deal with.”

Simon shook his head. “No, I should have listened to you. I should have trusted you.” He held out the bouquet. “I’m sorry for yelling. For everything.”

I hesitated, then took the flowers. “Thank you.”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Zoe tugged on Simon’s sleeve. “Tell her she’s my nanny again,” she insisted.

Simon met my eyes. “If you still want the job,” he said.

“Of course, I do,” I said without hesitation.

Before I could react, Simon pulled me into a hug. Warmth spread through me. Then Zoe joined in, her small arms wrapping around both of us. I smiled, holding them close.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

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