It turns out that the real superheroes in our lives don't battle monsters or wear funky costumes.
As one bus driver's story proves, often the true heroes are those who step in and offer to help when they can see someone struggling.
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Bus Driver Braids Little Girl's Hair Every Morning After She Loses Her Mom
When Isabella Pieri was nine, she lost her mother who had been battling an illness.
Unsplash | Ashim D’Silva
The loss was incredibly hard for her family as they struggled to return to their daily routine.
When it came to doing his daughter's hair, Isabella's dad was completely out of his element.
Unsplash | Element5 Digital
He had never had to style his daughter's hair before and Isabella would complain because he would accidentally pull her hair during the process.
At one point, he even had her cut it into a crew cut so it would be easier to manage.
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It wasn't really the ideal style for a little girl.
Once her hair grew out again, Isabella was on her own when it came to styling it.
Unsplash | Denisse Leon
She would often opt for a ponytail to keep it out of her face.
One day, she came home from school rocking a "beautiful" new style, her dad said.
Unsplash | Tamara Bellis
It turns out, Isabella's bus driver was behind the new look.
Isabella had seen Tracy Dean style another girl's hair, so she got up the courage to ask the bus driver for help.
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Tracy admitted that it seemed like Isabella was "struggling" with her hair, so she was happy to help the middle schooler.
Tracy is a cancer survivor and Isabella's ask for help made her think of her own four children.
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She couldn't help but think what her own children would have done without her, she said.
Now, Tracy styles Isabella's hair every morning.
Unsplash | courtney Hobbs
When the bus lets students off at school, Isabella hangs back so Tracy can work her magic.
The two have figured out Isabella's go-to style.
Twitter | @NBCNightlyNews
“We usually do two French braids first and once in a while she just wants one braid. I also taught her how to brush her hair.
She’d get on the bus and she’d say, ‘I brushed my hair. Does it look good?’ I’ll say, ‘You did awesome,'" Tracy said in an interview with NBC Nightly News.
Since Tracy has started helping Isabella with her hair, her confidence has gotten a much-needed boost.
Twitter | @NBCNightlyNews
Tracy's simple act of kindness has had a huge impact on Isabella.
Tracy and Isabella's story quickly went viral when it was shared online.
Many people have commended Tracy for stepping in and making a difference in Isabella's life.
People are calling Tracy a true hero.
People who show kindness like this need to be recognized.
Tracy and Isabella's story has touched many people.
It's hard not to get a little misty-eyed when you hear about something like this.
For anyone who has lost a parent or is currently a parent, this story hits close to home.
It's one of those stories that restores your faith in humanity.
It's clear that Tracy's act of kindness went above and beyond her job description.
It just goes to show that it doesn't take much to change someone's life for the better.
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