Michigan Grandfather Walks 4 Miles Just to See Granddaughter Through Window

One Michigan grandfather was determined to see his granddaughter.  He made it his mission to walk four miles so he could see her.

In an Instagram post, Joshua Gillett wrote, "Today, my dad walked over 4 miles to our house so he could see Elliana through the window...again. 

Daniel Gillett was able to hold his granddaughter Elliana twice before the COVID-19 pandemic forced their town to issue a stay-at-home order last month. 

GET YOUR FREE FACTSHEET Coronavirus: What You Need to Know

"This has become a regular thing. It breaks my heart that my dad can't hold my daughter. However, as you can clearly see on my dad's face, he's overflowing with joy just to see her," Joshua wrote.

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is not normal. This is not fun. This is actually the worst feeling ever - but I know this is temporary. • • Today, my dad walked over 4 miles to our house so he could see Elliana through the window... again. This has become a regular thing. It breaks my heart that my dad can’t hold my daughter. However, as you can clearly see on my dad’s face, he’s overflowing with joy just to see her. He only got to hold her twice before #covid_19 locked us down. I hate that having a window between us is the only way she can see her grandpa - but again, I remember this is temporary. • • While my wife was pregnant, I don’t think an hour went by where my dad didn’t brag about becoming a grandpa soon. Now, his granddaughter is finally here and the only thing he can hold are the daily pictures we send him. However, he knows this is temporary. • • Even if you aren’t worried about catching it yourself: #stayhome for the new dads and moms who can’t wait to have the world meet their new baby. #stayhome for the grandparents who want to hold their new grandchild more than anything. #stayhome for the pregnant mom and nervous dad who are about to welcome home their newest family member. #stayhome for the greatgrandparents who know time is a gift. #stayhome for all the businesses who anxiously wait to open back up. #stayhome for the teachers and kids who are eager to get back to school. And especially, #stayhome for the doctors and nurses who are fighting this head on and would give anything to just #stayhome and hold their kids. • • If this grandpa can resist coming inside and loving his first grandchild, I know the rest of us can do this too. • • #girldad #thedad #stayhealthy #washyourhands

A post shared by Josh Gillett (@joshuagillett) on Mar 29, 2020 at 9:33am PDT

During an interview with Fox News, Daniel said it's disheartening to not be able to hold his granddaughter but he knows it's temporary.

"It's disappointing to not be there but it's just for now and it's part of us making a difference in caring for our community and of course my caring for Elliana," he explained.

"I'd sure love to hold her and I love her but I'll have to do it through glass for now," he said. 

Joshua explained that his dad chooses to walk the four miles rather than drive so he gets the exercise.

"He's a faithful gym go-er so when our gym closed he said, 'I'm going to work out by walking and is it ok if I stop by and look at her through the glass?' I said of course since it's the only way he gets to see her so he calls it a reward," Joshua said.

The father and son remain optimistic that these times of social distancing will end, but are grateful for the opportunity to visit from a distance. 

"Even though it's a super dark time in this world, it's not stopping him and it's reminding people that it is temporary. There can be good still," Joshua said. 

While our nation journeys through the coronavirus crisis, CBN News is inviting readers to share moments of hope through social media posts and video files by sending your links to Newswatch@cbn.org.

FOR CBN NEWS CONTINUING COVERAGE ON COVID-19, CLICK HERE.