When Jesse Robertson’s mom, Donna, died from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, often referred to as ALS, in April, he wanted to remember her smiling face. His favorite photo of his mom from 40 years ago always made the now 47-year-old happy and he wanted to keep it. Robertson lives in Minneapolis, and Donna lived in California, but he visited her often.
During his final trip home for her funeral, he wanted a copy of his favorite picture to take home. Sadly, getting a high-quality copy of a decades-old photo seemed almost impossible. That is until Robertson walked into Mike’s Camera in Menlo Park. The mom-and-pop business changed his life forever.
Robertson explained in a TikTok video that he had tried to get a copy of Donna’s photo from every big-name store in town with no luck. When he finally stopped at Mike’s Camera, an employee named Christian assured Robertson he could make the copy. He just had one problem — it would take a few days.
The news brought the man to tears. He was leaving town the next day and wanted nothing more than to take that picture of his mom with him. Robertson told People he tried hiding his emotions from Christian, but the tears flowed.
“As I kept talking, I could see his eyes welling with tears, too,” Robertson said. “He said, ‘Man, I wish I was able to give you a hug,’ and I remember saying, ‘I’ll take one.’ He gave me a hug, told me to hold on, and walked back to the printers.”
@theparentexpress People are still good 😊 #dad #mom #parents #sadness #pain #als ♬ original sound – The Parent Express
That’s when Christian performed a miracle for Robertson. He told the staff to drop everything. They were going to make the copy of the photo before anything else that day.
“What was supposed to take three days became 30 minutes,” Robertson recalled. “I was able to frame it right there on his counter. And when I came home the following morning, I set that frame in my living room, where I see it every day — and think of her.”
He shared his story on TikTok with the simple caption, “People are still good.”
With more than 85,000 views and nearly 2,000 comments, it seems TikTokers agree. Robertson’s story touched so many hearts.
A follower praised Mike’s Camera writing, “They are incredible!!! I’m so very, very sorry for your loss!!! Hugs are priceless!!”
Another person shared a similar story of a stranger’s kindness. “I was picking up a recliner that I was gonna sleep in after cancer surgery mentioned that to the guy I was buying it from,” they wrote. “He wound up giving it to me for free and that really touched my heart.”
Another person shared: “I know that heartache of losing your Mom. I’m so sorry but happy for the blessing you received from this angel on earth. What an amazing human being he must be. Your Mom lives on thru you.”
Robertson told People the moment would have made his mom proud.
“She would have been proud that she raised a boy into a man who wasn’t afraid to be vulnerable,” he said. “But what she would have loved the most is the kindness people shared — she was such a good person, so full of life and love for her family and friends.”
