“It’s spooky season—a time for fun, frights, and a dash of darkness. As Halloween approaches, we’re used to seeing eerie decorations popping up everywhere. It’s not quite the cheerful holiday season yet!
But, even in the spirit of Halloween, there’s always room for kindness. One Halloween enthusiast, Salena Webb, shared a heartwarming message in a TikTok video that’s gone viral.
Salena Webb, a mother of four from South Carolina, is a big fan of Halloween. Like many others, she celebrated by transforming her yard into a full-blown Halloween graveyard, complete with ghosts, spiderwebs, pumpkins, a witch, tombstones, and skeletons carrying a casket. It took hours to set up, but she loved how it turned out.
@thatsnorthsense My family knows i loveeee Halloween and my decorations took me awhile to make and put up. I had just purshased the skeleton carrying the casket to go along with my graveyard to really set my halloween decor off this year🥴 I was a little sad at first but i thought about the bigger picture. Me removing my casket isnt hurting me at all but it may ease and bring my neighbor a little bit of peace as he adjusts to this news. Kindness is free and compassion goes a long way. Now what to replace it with🥴😩#Thatsnorthsense #dailyvlog #compassionforothers #halloween2023 #loveyourneighborasyourself ♬ Kindness Is Free! – Music with Michal
Then, her neighbor came by with an unexpected request.
He explained that his elderly father, recently diagnosed with lung cancer, found the casket decoration unsettling. Gently, he asked, “Would you mind taking just the casket out?”
Salena immediately empathized. She knew her neighbor’s father often spent time in his garage, facing her yard, and understood why the casket might be upsetting. “I didn’t want to be a reminder of what could happen if he doesn’t beat cancer,” she explained to *Insider*. “Adding stress to someone’s life is the last thing I wanted.”
So, Salena removed the casket and instead gave the skeletons badminton rackets, moving the scarier decorations to her backyard. “At first, I was a little sad,” she wrote in her TikTok caption, “But I realized that taking away the casket wouldn’t hurt me, and it might bring comfort to my neighbor. Kindness is free, and compassion goes a long way.”
@thatsnorthsense Replying to @JennAngel 🪱🌈🪐☁️🪅💠 maybe some can now understand why they were a little touchy about it and at night theres fog that i have come out from it🤣 so i get it.. #Thatsnorthsense #dailyvlog #compassionforothers #halloween2023 #loveyourneighborasyourself ♬ original sound – Salena|GardenLife|DailyLife
Salena’s video quickly gained traction, with viewers praising her thoughtfulness. She even asked her followers what they’d have done in her shoes. While some admitted they wouldn’t have taken down their decorations, many applauded her for her empathy.
“This is what being a good neighbor is all about. Kindness doesn’t cost a thing. Thank you!” one person commented.
Another added, “This was beautifully handled. The world needs more people like you! God bless you.”
Her neighbor also expressed his gratitude. After taking down the casket, Salena brought him a card and some balloons, hoping to bring a bit of joy. Despite the language barrier, she could tell he appreciated her gesture. Smiling, he told her, “You’re good people.”