“It’s actually okay to miss someone”

Sesame Street’s empathetic furry Elmo went viral in January after he “asked” everyone on social media and got a ton of reactions. Now, in a video posted on X, the little red monster is helping actor Andrew Garfield overcome his pain.

“Elmo is going around Sesame Street to check on everyone. So Elmo wants to know how Andrew is doing?” the 3-year-old monster asked sweetly.

“I’m just thinking about my mom today,” Garfield replied as he sat on the stairs next to Elmo. “You know, she passed away not too long ago, and I just miss her, I miss her so much.”

Garfield’s mother, Lynn, died of pancreatic cancer in 2019, just before production began on the movie “Tick, Tick… Boom!”

Garfield’s mother, Lynn, died of pancreatic cancer in 2019, just before production began on the movie “Tick, Tick… Boom!”

After Elmo said he was sorry, Garfield replied, “You don’t have to. It’s actually okay to miss someone.”

He went on to tell Elmo that “sadness is kind of a gift. It’s a lovely thing to feel, in a way, because it means you really loved someone when you miss them.”

Garfield said that when he misses his mother, he remembers “all the hugs I used to get from her, all the hugs I used to get from her.” She laughed as Elmo gave her a little squeeze and then continued, “It makes me feel close to her when I miss her in a weird way.”

He added: “I can celebrate her and I can miss her at the same time.”

“Elmo will think and celebrate your mother too,” said the monster.

Delighted, Garfield leaned in to tell Elmo a secret. “Elmo was my mom’s favorite,” she whispered conspiratorially.

After hugging Garfield, Elmo said, “Elmo loves you, Andrew.”

“I love you so much Elmo,” she replied. “I always have and always will.”

Elmo then turned to the camera and said, “You know what? We’re also going to celebrate all the important and special people you miss.”

“That’s it,” said Garfield. “Everyone and every day. All together.”

This article was originally published on TODAY.com