A meaningful video from a Walmart employee has seen the nighttime janitor become an internet sensation with millions of views on social media and thousands of well wishes from strangers who were moved by her sincerity.
Gail Lewis clocked out for the last time from her store in Illinois last week and recorded a video of the moment where she capped a 10-year run at Walmart.
"Attention Walmart, this is Gail Lewis," she said into a walkie-talkie in the video. "10-year associate Morris, Illinois 8-4-4, signing out, good night."
Lewis posted the video to her TikTok, where she said that her fellow employees had become like family.
"It's a happy sad because I'm going to be going to a better job and those people became like family. I've been through a lot with them. They watched my back. I watched theirs. They helped me out. I helped them out," Lewis said. "We even went through a f–king pandemic together. It just hurts, but it's a happy sad because where I'm going, I'm going to be better off where I'm at, that's all."
The sweet moment has now received more than 25 million views after being uploaded on Nov. 16. Lewis has also gained more than 80,000 followers as a result of the video.
But the internet did what it does best, finding humor in the authenticity of Lewis's post, creating fabricated backstories, new trends, and even recreations of the video.
One trend even combined other iconic retail employees, creating a sports draft that included Lewis, Alex from Target, and Jack from State Farm.
Others praised Lewis, comparing her speed when stopping shoplifters to that of Seattle Seahawks wide receiver D.K. Metcalf.
The original video has also tallied up more than 40,000 comments, with most congratulating and celebrating the moment with her.
"Best of luck to you, Gail," one comment read.
Lewis has not yet shared with her new following where she will be taking her talents, though her former boss shared her thoughts on the now-former Walmart employee with NBC News.
"I am grateful to Gail for her service at the Morris, Illinois, store, and she will be greatly missed. I wish her all the best on her future opportunities," Carrie Moses, the Morris store's manager, said through the company.
