Recently in Rome, a late-night call about a couple crying loudly led police to a surprising discovery. Four officers arrived at an apartment to find 84-year-old Jole and her 94-year-old husband, Michele, distressed but safe. No crime had occurred; the couple was simply overwhelmed by sadness after watching negative news on television. Jole had tearfully asked her husband why there was so much negativity in the world, which prompted someone to call the police.
The couple, who had been married for nearly 70 years, expressed profound loneliness, telling the officers that it had been a long time since anyone had visited them. The officers also noticed that Jole and Michele had not had a proper meal in a while. While an ambulance was on the way to check on them, two of the officers went into the kitchen and decided to make them a simple spaghetti dinner with parmesan and butter. The other officers stayed with the couple, keeping them company and listening to their stories.
That night, the officers didn’t have a crime to solve. Instead, they took the time to show incredible compassion and kindness, brightening the lives of two people who were feeling isolated and forgotten. In a world often filled with sad news, their simple act of preparing a meal was a powerful reminder of the importance of human connection and empathy.