Good News: Things to smile about this week, December 20, 2020

By Nanci Dixon
In the midst of an abundance of bad news – rising COVID numbers, unemployment, evictions, homelessness and hunger – some good news stories still bubble to the surface.

We find ourselves mostly posting bad, sad or frustrating news in our Sunday newsletter. It’s not our fault, of course, but we want to make sure you come here and smile too. That’s why we’re bringing you this “Good News” column.

“HELPING ONE PERSON MIGHT NOT CHANGE THE WHOLE WORLD, BUT IT COULD CHANGE THE WORLD FOR ONE PERSON” —Anonymous

53 acts of kindness

A woman in Virginia celebrated her 53rd birthday by doing 53 acts of kindness. Debra Ferrel went on social media asking what she could do for others during her birthday month. She said that this pandemic is one of the hardest times that she can remember in her lifetime and she just wanted to make other people smile.

The ideas rolled in. She sent a wind chime to a grieving family that lost their 4-year-old with the note, “When you hear the wind, I am with you.” An ER doctor received a gift basket. Children needed words of encouragement.

Debra enlisted her granddaughters to make positive yard signs, “You are amazing,” “The world needs your light,” and “Let your awesome out” for the neighborhood. “If one random act of a yard sign can make someone happy then…it’s worth it.” She says.

From the giving hearts of children

The pandemic has brought out the gifts of children across the nation. When 8-year-old Hayley Orlinsky heard about the lack of PPE at the Robert Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago, she started making rubber band bracelets to raise funds. Her goal was $200. She has now raised more than $20,000 making the bracelets and enlisting others to make and sell the bracelets too. The money goes directly to Lurie Children’s Hospital to buy PPE equipment. Read more here.

Jahkil Johnson, 12 years old, of Chicago, recognized as one of CNN’s Heroes Young Wonders last year for providing needed supplies to homeless men and women, has not stopped his efforts during the pandemic. He is wrapping up hand sanitizers, wipes, and tissue and dropping them off at the doors of senior citizens.

Eight-year-old Addison Watrous Lowry makes signs – “Heroes Live Here” – and puts them up outside the homes of healthcare workers, EMTs and grocery clerks in her Andover, Kansas, neighborhood.

“THE BEST THERAPIST HAS FUR AND FOUR LEGS” —Anonymous

So this proves that dogs do watch TV…right? So, then, does that mean there should be a PG rating for them too? (Note: Click each video below to start and stop them.) 

101 Dalmatians- best movie ever (according to Moose) from aww

This was just too cute to pass up. I have re-watched it several times just to smile. I hope it brings a smile to you too!

Huskie puppy doesn’t quite get the howling thing from aww

“We will return to the serious and urgent business of growing up on Thursday, but for tomorrow…go build a snowman.”

A school district in Jefferson County, West Virginia, gave families a heartwarming day off as the snow pummeled much of the country this week. Here’s the letter they sent home (click to enlarge):

INSPIRATION: SIX LITTLE STORIES

And while not strictly Good News, this thought-provoking message was sent to us from George Bliss, one of RV Travels’ longtime contributors:

“Life is not a matter of holding good cards, but sometimes playing a poor hand well.” (from a Chinese Fortune Cookie)

1. Once all villagers decided to pray for rain. On the day of ‎prayer, all the people gathered, but only one boy came with an umbrella.
   That’s FAITH.

2. When you throw babies in the air, they laugh because they know you will catch them.
   That’s TRUST.

3. Every night we go to bed without any assurance of being alive the next morning, but still we set the alarm to wake up.
   That’s HOPE.

4. We plan big things for tomorrow in spite of zero knowledge of the future.
   That’s CONFIDENCE

5. We see the world suffering, but still, we get married and have children.
   That’s LOVE.

6. On an old man’s shirt was written a sentence “I am not 80 years old; I am sweet 16 with 64 years of experience.”
   That’s ATTITUDE.

Read last week’s Good News post here.

Hear a “Good News” story? Please use the form below to tell us about it. Include a website or link to a video. Thanks!

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