CMU alumnus gains worldwide fame for his compassion in viral video

In a profoundly emotional moment caught on a doorbell camera, CMU alumnus Greg Sherman, ’72, went from being a routine floral delivery driver to a global example of compassion at its finest.

The now-viral video was recorded on December 4^th at the home of Arizona resident Michelle McDonald, who later posted it on TikTok. Just days earlier, McDonald had lost her husband in a tragic accident. When her friends sent flowers, Sherman—wearing a CMU alumni sweatshirt and CMU hat—arrived at her door and immediately sensed this delivery would be different.

“I’ve done this for 36 years,” Sherman said. “Normally, you don’t touch anybody at the door because that’s just not appropriate, but with Michelle, I could see right away she was at rock bottom, and I just tried to help.”

The footage shows Sherman comforting a distraught McDonald with soft words and genuine empathy.

“Hi there,” he gently said. “For Michelle. Aww, I’m sorry for your loss, baby. Was it your hubby? Aw, baby, I’m so sorry. You’re such a sweetheart. I can tell just by looking at you. You’re so precious. You are so precious. You are so good. So pure. I’m sorry, baby.”

“Thank you for bringing these,” McDonald replies.

“Just remember,” Sherman tells her. “You and him. We’re all gonna be up there sometime, aren’t we?”

For Sherman, the instinct to comfort came naturally. He, too, is a widower. His wife, Kathleen—also a CMU alum—passed away in 2015 after a long battle with cancer.

“It’s one of those things you never get over,” Sherman said. “It’s a scar. That pain still runs deep.”

McDonald was so moved by his kindness that she shared the video online, with a caption that reads: “My friends sent flowers today, and an angel arrived at my doorstep to place them in my hands. The message wasn’t in the bouquet. It was in the gentleness of the sweet, kind man who delivered it. Protect him. He is the proof that grace still walks on this earth.”

The post quickly spread across the internet. Calls, online comments, and reviews soon flooded the Arizona flower shop where Sherman works.

“I walked back into the flower shop and the owner told me, ‘You’ve gone viral,” Sherman said. “And she showed me the video. She said, ‘You’re kind of a celebrity now, whether you know it or not.’”

Within days, the video neared four million views and was shared widely—even by U.S. Senator Cory Booker, who wrote: “The power of empathy. The magnanimity of kindness.”

Sherman remains stunned by the attention.

“It’s unbelievable,” he said. “I’m just a working guy. 77 going on 14. I think retirement is a big fallacy. I’ll work as long as my brain will let me.”

The attention may humble Sherman, but his act of kindness has inspired millions and reflects the compassion at the heart of our CMU community. It’s a powerful reminder that even small gestures can make a profound impact.