Sometimes sharing joy really is the gift that keeps on giving.
For 23-year-old mailman Lavonte Harvey, joy was found every day along his delivery routes as he sang tunes while dropping off letters and packages. Clearly, he wasn’t the only one enjoying it. As Whitney Cumbo shared on Instagram, Harvey was her grandmother’s “daily dose of life,” especially after she had lost her husband of fifty years.
That’s why Cumbo knew she had to ask Harvey to sing a special song for her grandmother’s birthday. Harvey agreed, and a video of his sweet serenade took off online, garnering more than 14 million views.
It’s easy to see why it resonated with so many. Between Harvey’s angelic vocals, generous spirit, and genuine kindness, there’s so much to love here.
“He has such a beautiful voice …… you can tell he is such a kind soul,” one viewer wrote.
“Renewing my faith in humanity one song at a time. What a star!!” added another.
But going viral was only the beginning. After learning that Harvey endured a daily two-and-a-half-hour commute, Cumbo, a financial literacy teacher, set up a GoFundMe for him. It quickly raised enough money to purchase a new truck, cutting his commute to a much more feasible half hour.
“I’m able to walk my dog now in the morning, come home and feed him in time,” Harvey said, according to People. “I’m able to have more of a personal life. It’s not all just work-life based.”
Harvey would later open up about his own mental health, sharing that he struggles with depression, often in silence. For him, singing was a small way to “keep pushing in healthier ways” and, hopefully, uplift others in the process.
After being on the receiving end of such “genuine support [and] love,” Harvey was further inspired to keep spreading joy in new ways, including starting a clothing company.
“For me, I just want to keep spreading hope,” he said, as reported by People. “Be your true, authentic self, don’t allow anyone or nay-sayers tell you who you can or cannot be. Even when no one is watching, be who you are.”
What a lovely sentiment. You never know what magic awaits when you share a piece of your heart with the world. Whether it leads to viral fame, a new car, or simply making someone else’s day, it’s always worth it. May we all find the motivation and courage to share our truest selves today.
