This one brought tears to my eyes. It happened just this week. :-)
Jami McElrath has inoperable cancer. Like many terminally ill patients, she's been working hard to collect mementos for her children, so they will have something solid to remember her after she's gone.
Among those mementos... she's been taking photos she wants to put in a scrapbook.
During a family trip to Texas, Jami's camera was stolen from her car while her family ate in a restaurant. The camera was loaded with photos of the trip, including their time at Six Flags amusement park.
As if that weren't enough, the camera also had extra sentimental value. It had belonged to her father, who died of a heart attack two years ago.
Jami told her heart-wrenching story to a wonderful reporter at the ABC affiliate in Dallas, Jim Douglas (sidenote: I know Jim personally. He's a dear friend of mine, and I have no doubt this story broke his heart).
"I just want my camera back," she told Jim in the story. "I just want those memories back."
Part of her plea also included this heartwarming message of hope: "People are good," she said. "That's what I'm saying. I don't think this person who took my camera is out to hurt people. I think they have a desperate situation they're in."
A few days after the story aired, Jim received a phone call from a man who didn't want to identify himself. He told Jim to look behind a red car in the station's parking lot. He also added that he felt bad about the incident.
Needless to say, Jim found the camera. He and a news crew traveled to Oklahoma to return it to Jami, who burst into tears. She had some words for the man who took it.
"Whoever you are, thank you so much," she said. "Thank you for having a conscience and bringing it back. I can't tell you what it means to me."
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Found one...!
Amid the stories about yet more layoffs and just general corruption and greed.... a gem. :)
I could never translate this story as well as the mom who writes about her son.... so I won't even try. Instead, follow this link to see some news of courage and hope for the day. And if you have a chance, please Buzz it Up so it gets more exposure!
http://www.momlogic.com/2008/11/8-year-old_cancer_survivor_coo_1.php
I could never translate this story as well as the mom who writes about her son.... so I won't even try. Instead, follow this link to see some news of courage and hope for the day. And if you have a chance, please Buzz it Up so it gets more exposure!
http://www.momlogic.com/2008/11/8-year-old_cancer_survivor_coo_1.php
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Depressing times call for hope...
Bad news surrounds us these days.
I've been busier than ever, but I am definitely not going to complain. Because unlike several people I know, I am still blessed with a job. I disappeared for a while (yet again) because I have been putting almost all of my efforts into that job, knowing that people who are suddenly considered "redundant" in my company are being let go. :(
Even my former colleagues in the news business are being hit hard, and that's a first. News has traditionally been considered "recession-proof" because the public will always still need news, right?
Actually, that's now only partially right. Journalism is going through a massive identity crisis. My company deals with major news outlets on a daily basis and we are hearing the same thing from each of them: "We're undergoing massive change, but no one appears to know what we are supposed to be changing into. We're adrift at sea." Which might be why you haven't seen so many good news stories lately. The news media are trying to re-invent themselves--- to make themselves more relevant--- and as a result, the economy trumps almost everything at this point. Because they know people are hungry to find out more about what's going on.
I don't blame them for doing this. Honestly, it IS the best way to survive right now.
However, I honestly believe we've never needed good news stories as much as we need them now.
I have relatives who've been laid off from construction and auto jobs, neighbors who've been laid off from accounting and administrative jobs, and friends who are being asked to take massive pay cuts in order to be able to keep their current jobs.
:(
But even though the world is changing....
The economy looks bleak...
The earth beneath us is no longer solid, but appears to be constantly shifting...
There will always be signs of hope to help us keep our bearings. And we need to hear about them.
It's just a matter of finding them in the midst of our current state of affairs.
Given my current status (mainly, being busier than I've ever been), I'm no longer going to make promises I can't keep concerning this blog. What I will do, though, is promise to make every effort to put good news stories up when I see them. Which hasn't been very often lately. :(
More later. Hang in there, everyone.
I've been busier than ever, but I am definitely not going to complain. Because unlike several people I know, I am still blessed with a job. I disappeared for a while (yet again) because I have been putting almost all of my efforts into that job, knowing that people who are suddenly considered "redundant" in my company are being let go. :(
Even my former colleagues in the news business are being hit hard, and that's a first. News has traditionally been considered "recession-proof" because the public will always still need news, right?
Actually, that's now only partially right. Journalism is going through a massive identity crisis. My company deals with major news outlets on a daily basis and we are hearing the same thing from each of them: "We're undergoing massive change, but no one appears to know what we are supposed to be changing into. We're adrift at sea." Which might be why you haven't seen so many good news stories lately. The news media are trying to re-invent themselves--- to make themselves more relevant--- and as a result, the economy trumps almost everything at this point. Because they know people are hungry to find out more about what's going on.
I don't blame them for doing this. Honestly, it IS the best way to survive right now.
However, I honestly believe we've never needed good news stories as much as we need them now.
I have relatives who've been laid off from construction and auto jobs, neighbors who've been laid off from accounting and administrative jobs, and friends who are being asked to take massive pay cuts in order to be able to keep their current jobs.
:(
But even though the world is changing....
The economy looks bleak...
The earth beneath us is no longer solid, but appears to be constantly shifting...
There will always be signs of hope to help us keep our bearings. And we need to hear about them.
It's just a matter of finding them in the midst of our current state of affairs.
Given my current status (mainly, being busier than I've ever been), I'm no longer going to make promises I can't keep concerning this blog. What I will do, though, is promise to make every effort to put good news stories up when I see them. Which hasn't been very often lately. :(
More later. Hang in there, everyone.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
In Need of a Boost
I've really started to dread election years.
Many of the stories out there right now are focused on the Presidential campaign (as they should be in an election year), but I find them very hard to swallow. I'm so tired of the negative political tactics that are being reported. Many are--- at the very least--- mean-spirited... and at the very most, just plain wrong.
In any case, this is why there has been yet another delay. I start out looking for good news, but soon find myself completely overwhelmed by the negative news. So I had to go on a news "break" of sorts.
Found one today though. A really good one that made me smile.
And I've just decided that I need to steel myself--- and keep digging until I find a gem underneath all of the trash. I think we could all use an extra boost right now.
And speaking of boosts.... ;)
Thomas Weller of San Diego is a mechanic by trade... and a philanthropist at heart. Over the years, he's used his mechanical skills to pay forward a favor he received almost forty years ago.
That's when he plowed his car into a snow bank in Illinois, and a stranger stopped to help him.
"I probably would have froze there if this fellow hadn't stopped to help me," he told a reporter with CBS News.
That good Samaritan told Weller that all he needed to do to return the favor, was to help someone else in need at some point.
Weller paid off the debt in a huge way.
He now travels around San Diego's freeways on a regular basis, searching for people who need roadside assistance. He does everything from changing tires to repairing overheated engines.
So far, he's helped about 5,000 people. Enough to start his own American Automobile Association chapter-- if he wanted to. ;)
Except, "this is way better than AAA," one woman he helped said.
Whenever he's asked why he does it, he simply hands the person a card.
One fortunate "customer" read it out loud to a reporter. "It says, 'Assisting you has been my pleasure. I ask no payment other than for you to pass on the favor by helping someone in distress that you may encounter.'"
After handing over his card and accepting a multitude of thanks, Weller moves on to the next person in need, never questioning whether others will indeed pay the favor forward.
He knows that they do.
Once he stopped to help someone in distress, but found that someone else had beaten him to it. Weller asked the man why he had stopped.
"He said four months earlier his wife had had a blow out on the freeway - and somebody stopped to help her," Weller said.
"And he said, 'By the way, thank you for doing that for my wife.'"
As if that isn't enough reason to continue his acts of kindness, Weller admits that he does have another underlying motive for doing what he does.
He says, "There's too much anger and distrust and fear out there. I'd like the world to be a better place."
Many of the stories out there right now are focused on the Presidential campaign (as they should be in an election year), but I find them very hard to swallow. I'm so tired of the negative political tactics that are being reported. Many are--- at the very least--- mean-spirited... and at the very most, just plain wrong.
In any case, this is why there has been yet another delay. I start out looking for good news, but soon find myself completely overwhelmed by the negative news. So I had to go on a news "break" of sorts.
Found one today though. A really good one that made me smile.
And I've just decided that I need to steel myself--- and keep digging until I find a gem underneath all of the trash. I think we could all use an extra boost right now.
And speaking of boosts.... ;)
Thomas Weller of San Diego is a mechanic by trade... and a philanthropist at heart. Over the years, he's used his mechanical skills to pay forward a favor he received almost forty years ago.
That's when he plowed his car into a snow bank in Illinois, and a stranger stopped to help him.
"I probably would have froze there if this fellow hadn't stopped to help me," he told a reporter with CBS News.
That good Samaritan told Weller that all he needed to do to return the favor, was to help someone else in need at some point.
Weller paid off the debt in a huge way.
He now travels around San Diego's freeways on a regular basis, searching for people who need roadside assistance. He does everything from changing tires to repairing overheated engines.
So far, he's helped about 5,000 people. Enough to start his own American Automobile Association chapter-- if he wanted to. ;)
Except, "this is way better than AAA," one woman he helped said.
Whenever he's asked why he does it, he simply hands the person a card.
One fortunate "customer" read it out loud to a reporter. "It says, 'Assisting you has been my pleasure. I ask no payment other than for you to pass on the favor by helping someone in distress that you may encounter.'"
After handing over his card and accepting a multitude of thanks, Weller moves on to the next person in need, never questioning whether others will indeed pay the favor forward.
He knows that they do.
Once he stopped to help someone in distress, but found that someone else had beaten him to it. Weller asked the man why he had stopped.
"He said four months earlier his wife had had a blow out on the freeway - and somebody stopped to help her," Weller said.
"And he said, 'By the way, thank you for doing that for my wife.'"
As if that isn't enough reason to continue his acts of kindness, Weller admits that he does have another underlying motive for doing what he does.
He says, "There's too much anger and distrust and fear out there. I'd like the world to be a better place."
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Looking at Life Differently....
Once again, my apologies. Work has been CRAZY. I'm still working on trying to find a good news story for the blog. I know they are happening, they just are sometimes hard to find (because few media outlets are reporting them :p).
In the meantime, I thought it might be nice to talk a bit about how important it is to recognize at least one "good news" story in our own lives each day--- and embrace it.
It's so easy to get caught up in our everyday problems. Some of them, such as failing health and financial difficulties, are huge. Others are quite small, but still have significant impact. Maddening traffic jams and rude strangers can definitely ruin someone's day.
But there are ways to cope.
I've had a few too many small problems (no biggies, thank goodness) in the past few days. Mis-communications at work, longer-than-normal traffic commutes (on a GOOD day, it takes me 45 minutes to travel six miles... yesterday it took me an hour :p), and really pesky little things: like dropping a dish and breaking it... or spilling water all over a newly polished wood table.
Throw in the fact that I have never been accused of being a very patient person ;), and that adds up to quite a bit of frustration by the end of the day.
I had a wonderful reminder yesterday though, that *I* have the power to change that. Simply by shifting perspective.
My son is five. He's active. And he's hilarious. :) Yesterday when we got home, he immediately told me he wanted to go back outside. I was quite annoyed by my extra long commute caused by sheets of rain--- so I thought he was nuts to want to go back out into it. But without even batting an eye, he scrambled to put on his boots and proceeded to seek out EVERY mud puddle in the backyard... and encouraged me to join him. After watching him for a minute or so, I did. We both got soaked. And I didn't care. In fact, I was laughing the whole time.
That's a good news story. One I really needed this morning. When I slept through my alarm and rushed to my closet only to find my clothes balled up on the floor because the cat had gotten to them last night... I almost lost it. But then I remembered I had a pile of muddy clothes already loaded in the washer, and that made me smile.
(Yes, I was late to work. But in the scheme of things, that was okay.)
I have to remind myself all the time: the "big" good news stories are great, because they can renew our faith in people. But really--- good news can also be as simple as a change in perspective.
An exercise: the next time someone cuts you off on the freeway, think about something good that happened this past weekend. It could be something as simple as a pleasant conversation you had with your neighbor, or that quiet moment you had to yourself as you read the paper and drank coffee on Sunday morning. Lives don't always have to be saved in order to bring a smile to your face.
Although I have to admit, heroes are a great pick-me-up. ;)
More heroes soon. :)
In the meantime, I thought it might be nice to talk a bit about how important it is to recognize at least one "good news" story in our own lives each day--- and embrace it.
It's so easy to get caught up in our everyday problems. Some of them, such as failing health and financial difficulties, are huge. Others are quite small, but still have significant impact. Maddening traffic jams and rude strangers can definitely ruin someone's day.
But there are ways to cope.
I've had a few too many small problems (no biggies, thank goodness) in the past few days. Mis-communications at work, longer-than-normal traffic commutes (on a GOOD day, it takes me 45 minutes to travel six miles... yesterday it took me an hour :p), and really pesky little things: like dropping a dish and breaking it... or spilling water all over a newly polished wood table.
Throw in the fact that I have never been accused of being a very patient person ;), and that adds up to quite a bit of frustration by the end of the day.
I had a wonderful reminder yesterday though, that *I* have the power to change that. Simply by shifting perspective.
My son is five. He's active. And he's hilarious. :) Yesterday when we got home, he immediately told me he wanted to go back outside. I was quite annoyed by my extra long commute caused by sheets of rain--- so I thought he was nuts to want to go back out into it. But without even batting an eye, he scrambled to put on his boots and proceeded to seek out EVERY mud puddle in the backyard... and encouraged me to join him. After watching him for a minute or so, I did. We both got soaked. And I didn't care. In fact, I was laughing the whole time.
That's a good news story. One I really needed this morning. When I slept through my alarm and rushed to my closet only to find my clothes balled up on the floor because the cat had gotten to them last night... I almost lost it. But then I remembered I had a pile of muddy clothes already loaded in the washer, and that made me smile.
(Yes, I was late to work. But in the scheme of things, that was okay.)
I have to remind myself all the time: the "big" good news stories are great, because they can renew our faith in people. But really--- good news can also be as simple as a change in perspective.
An exercise: the next time someone cuts you off on the freeway, think about something good that happened this past weekend. It could be something as simple as a pleasant conversation you had with your neighbor, or that quiet moment you had to yourself as you read the paper and drank coffee on Sunday morning. Lives don't always have to be saved in order to bring a smile to your face.
Although I have to admit, heroes are a great pick-me-up. ;)
More heroes soon. :)
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Nine Lives, Minus Two
I have to admit that the next story is somewhat personal for me, because it describes almost *exactly* how one of my two cats came into my life.
So please bear with me as I describe this act of kindness for a little kitten who happened to be spotted by the right person at the right time. I love the story, because it shows how several people made the conscious choice to put their Friday night on hold... to save a stray animal.
An employee with a District Attorney's office in Pennsylvania walked out of her work building for the day, when she spotted a stray kitten run past her, onto a busy street.
"When I saw him, I thought to myself, we just have to have a happy ending tonight," Cathie Abookire later told a reporter.
The kitten ran into (thankfully) stopped traffic, and found what it probably thought was a safe hiding spot... immediately in front of the wheel of a car waiting at a traffic light.
Abookire and another DA employee ran into the street and pounded on the window of the car, urging the driver not to go when the light turned green. As they did this, the kitten ran away to a parked car--- and promptly crawled up into the car's engine.
Not the best hiding spot. ;)
The parked vehicle happened to have a Judicial District parking permit and a phone number, so Abookire called the number. She eventually hooked up with the car's owner and explained the situation.
The owner, Ray McIver, came to the scene and opened up the hood. And ASPCA workers were eventually able to coax the kitten out of the engine.
All of this happened over the span of three hours. Not the way that most people would want to spend their Friday evening-- especially after a long day at work. But the rescuers of Turbo the kitten (named so by her heroes) decided it was time well spent.
"Without all the right people - big hearted people - well, all the right things had to happen," Abookire later said.
The kitten, by the way, is doing well. :)
As I mentioned earlier, this is amazingly similar to how I discovered my cat. She was less than four weeks old when a cameraman at my station discovered her in our station's parking lot... which was surrounded by three very busy roads, and a highway.
The cameraman spotted her and tried to catch her, but she made her way into his vehicle's engine. He practically took the engine apart trying to get to her, and brought her inside.
She managed to draw quite a crowd in our news room. She was so tiny her eyes had just barely opened, and she was shivering from fright.
I held her in the palm of my hand (she was that tiny), where she promptly curled up and fell asleep. I was hooked. ;)
She's now HUGE. And happy. And still around, eleven years later. :)
So please bear with me as I describe this act of kindness for a little kitten who happened to be spotted by the right person at the right time. I love the story, because it shows how several people made the conscious choice to put their Friday night on hold... to save a stray animal.
An employee with a District Attorney's office in Pennsylvania walked out of her work building for the day, when she spotted a stray kitten run past her, onto a busy street.
"When I saw him, I thought to myself, we just have to have a happy ending tonight," Cathie Abookire later told a reporter.
The kitten ran into (thankfully) stopped traffic, and found what it probably thought was a safe hiding spot... immediately in front of the wheel of a car waiting at a traffic light.
Abookire and another DA employee ran into the street and pounded on the window of the car, urging the driver not to go when the light turned green. As they did this, the kitten ran away to a parked car--- and promptly crawled up into the car's engine.
Not the best hiding spot. ;)
The parked vehicle happened to have a Judicial District parking permit and a phone number, so Abookire called the number. She eventually hooked up with the car's owner and explained the situation.
The owner, Ray McIver, came to the scene and opened up the hood. And ASPCA workers were eventually able to coax the kitten out of the engine.
All of this happened over the span of three hours. Not the way that most people would want to spend their Friday evening-- especially after a long day at work. But the rescuers of Turbo the kitten (named so by her heroes) decided it was time well spent.
"Without all the right people - big hearted people - well, all the right things had to happen," Abookire later said.
The kitten, by the way, is doing well. :)
As I mentioned earlier, this is amazingly similar to how I discovered my cat. She was less than four weeks old when a cameraman at my station discovered her in our station's parking lot... which was surrounded by three very busy roads, and a highway.
The cameraman spotted her and tried to catch her, but she made her way into his vehicle's engine. He practically took the engine apart trying to get to her, and brought her inside.
She managed to draw quite a crowd in our news room. She was so tiny her eyes had just barely opened, and she was shivering from fright.
I held her in the palm of my hand (she was that tiny), where she promptly curled up and fell asleep. I was hooked. ;)
She's now HUGE. And happy. And still around, eleven years later. :)
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Erasing Hate
Sometimes the simplest act of kindness can bring the greatest joy.
This past weekend in Revere, Massachusetts, some unidentified vandals spray-painted messages of hate on the B'Nai Israel synagogue. Bright red hateful words and symbols confronted the synagogue's members the next day as they made their way to their service and a breakfast.
Marilyn Dorfman was horrified.
"It was really sickening," she told Boston TV station WBZ-TV. "The information on the kitchen door also was very reminiscent of things that you saw in concentration camps in Nazi Germany."
She and other members tried to push away the pain as they went inside for their service.
When they came out afterwards, an unidentified man was just finishing up painting over the offensive markings. No one had called him. He had just shown up with paint that was amazingly close to the beige color of the walls--- and went to work.
Ira Dorfman says he tried to get the man's name. "He wouldn't tell me. I said 'May I take your picture?' And he said, 'You can't.'"
The man finished the job, packed up his supplies, and drove away.
Members say the gesture was so moving, it made up for the hateful words they had seen on their way in that morning.
Still no word on the identity of the mysterious stranger.
This past weekend in Revere, Massachusetts, some unidentified vandals spray-painted messages of hate on the B'Nai Israel synagogue. Bright red hateful words and symbols confronted the synagogue's members the next day as they made their way to their service and a breakfast.
Marilyn Dorfman was horrified.
"It was really sickening," she told Boston TV station WBZ-TV. "The information on the kitchen door also was very reminiscent of things that you saw in concentration camps in Nazi Germany."
She and other members tried to push away the pain as they went inside for their service.
When they came out afterwards, an unidentified man was just finishing up painting over the offensive markings. No one had called him. He had just shown up with paint that was amazingly close to the beige color of the walls--- and went to work.
Ira Dorfman says he tried to get the man's name. "He wouldn't tell me. I said 'May I take your picture?' And he said, 'You can't.'"
The man finished the job, packed up his supplies, and drove away.
Members say the gesture was so moving, it made up for the hateful words they had seen on their way in that morning.
Still no word on the identity of the mysterious stranger.
Monday, August 18, 2008
Passing the Flying Money "Test"
Today's story is short, but sweet. :) Another example of how someone's faith in humanity was restored by several people stepping forward to help someone they didn't know.
The city of Torrance, California is one of the southernmost cities in Los Angeles county (as well as one of the county's largest). It is part of the huge metroplex that makes up what locals call the Southland.
And as an incident last month shows, the city is also filled with people who do the right thing.
70-year-old Ludwig Geier went to his local bank and withdrew several thousands of dollars in cash. He held a thick envelope as he left the building.
When he walked outside, he stumbled and fell. More than 200 bills flew out of the envelope, and started swirling around the parking lot and into the street. Ludwig says he couldn't possibly have retrieved the money because he was wearing flip-flops and couldn't move very quickly.
But he didn't have to worry, because about a dozen bystanders started chasing the quickly-moving bills... and brought them back to him as they caught it.
Geier was touched. He says those who helped him retrieve his money were from all walks of life--- ranging from kids to adults, people from various races, seemingly from all walks of life. He was able to get back 96% of the money he'd lost.
"I can only say I'm going to put a prayer out for them," Geier told the Torrance Daily Breeze. "If I could get them together, I'd buy them dinner and drinks."
The city of Torrance, California is one of the southernmost cities in Los Angeles county (as well as one of the county's largest). It is part of the huge metroplex that makes up what locals call the Southland.
And as an incident last month shows, the city is also filled with people who do the right thing.
70-year-old Ludwig Geier went to his local bank and withdrew several thousands of dollars in cash. He held a thick envelope as he left the building.
When he walked outside, he stumbled and fell. More than 200 bills flew out of the envelope, and started swirling around the parking lot and into the street. Ludwig says he couldn't possibly have retrieved the money because he was wearing flip-flops and couldn't move very quickly.
But he didn't have to worry, because about a dozen bystanders started chasing the quickly-moving bills... and brought them back to him as they caught it.
Geier was touched. He says those who helped him retrieve his money were from all walks of life--- ranging from kids to adults, people from various races, seemingly from all walks of life. He was able to get back 96% of the money he'd lost.
"I can only say I'm going to put a prayer out for them," Geier told the Torrance Daily Breeze. "If I could get them together, I'd buy them dinner and drinks."
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Compassion over Greed
This is another story from New York city, taking place in the heart of midtown. It's a story of not just one, but two people who each had a clear opportunity to take advantage of a situation. Instead, they didn't think twice about doing the right thing.
And they restored a woman's faith in humanity in the process.
Earlier this week, 27-year-old Ken Roller stopped by his local corner coffee cart and ordered his usual drink. While he waited, he glanced over at a newspaper box next to the cart and spotted a $100 bill sitting on top of it. Without even a second thought, he handed it over to cart operator, Emad Youssef, and told him that the bill was obviously lost.
"I trust him. I see him every day," Roller told the Daily News matter-of-factly about Youssef. "He remembers my coffee order."
And as for the chances of someone coming back to claim the cash, Roller said, "A hundred dollars is a lot of money. I figured whoever lost it was definitely going to come back for it."
The 26-year-old Youssef held onto the bill until he saw another regular customer, 40-year-old Rochelle Myers, the next day. She talked about how she had lost $100 the day before... money she was planning to use to buy a new cell phone. She was sure that someone had gone into her wallet at some point during the day and had stolen it.
So you can imagine her surprise when Youssef handed over the bill.
She repaid Youssef and Roller by giving them each a bouquet of flowers, and a huge hug.
"We always think the worst, and I thought the worst immediately, but now my faith is really restored in people," she said.
An interesting footnote: The journalist who reported this story also referred to a study out of Columbia University that took place in 2007. As part of an experiment to see how honest New Yorkers are, researchers dropped wallets in various places across the city of New York. 82% of them were returned to their owners. :)
And they restored a woman's faith in humanity in the process.
Earlier this week, 27-year-old Ken Roller stopped by his local corner coffee cart and ordered his usual drink. While he waited, he glanced over at a newspaper box next to the cart and spotted a $100 bill sitting on top of it. Without even a second thought, he handed it over to cart operator, Emad Youssef, and told him that the bill was obviously lost.
"I trust him. I see him every day," Roller told the Daily News matter-of-factly about Youssef. "He remembers my coffee order."
And as for the chances of someone coming back to claim the cash, Roller said, "A hundred dollars is a lot of money. I figured whoever lost it was definitely going to come back for it."
The 26-year-old Youssef held onto the bill until he saw another regular customer, 40-year-old Rochelle Myers, the next day. She talked about how she had lost $100 the day before... money she was planning to use to buy a new cell phone. She was sure that someone had gone into her wallet at some point during the day and had stolen it.
So you can imagine her surprise when Youssef handed over the bill.
She repaid Youssef and Roller by giving them each a bouquet of flowers, and a huge hug.
"We always think the worst, and I thought the worst immediately, but now my faith is really restored in people," she said.
An interesting footnote: The journalist who reported this story also referred to a study out of Columbia University that took place in 2007. As part of an experiment to see how honest New Yorkers are, researchers dropped wallets in various places across the city of New York. 82% of them were returned to their owners. :)
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Rushing to Help a Stranger
A warning, this story has a very bittersweet ending.... but I believe it still has the power to renew one's faith in humanity.
Many New Yorkers get a bad rap. A lot of people point to the huge city as a place where people have lost their concern for their fellow man. A place where people won't stop to help another person in trouble.
About thirty people blew that perception out of the water just this past week.
On Thursday, Donnette Sanz left her desk at the New York Police Department to head out to lunch. Sanz normally served as a traffic agent with the department--- directing traffic and issuing parking tickets--- but had been placed on administrative duty when she became pregnant. As of last week, she was seven months along.
She walked out of the Bronx office and waited for the light at one of the busiest intersections in the borough. The light changed. She started to cross.
She didn't notice a van barreling toward the intersection. The van's driver would later say that his brakes failed. And police reports would indicate that the brakes had indeed deteriorated to the point that the van was unsafe to drive. The driver says he saw Sanz but couldn't stop.
The impact threw Sanz in front of a moving yellow school bus (no children were inside). And she became pinned underneath.
The crowd immediately rushed into action. Witnesses say that people converged from all directions and just started trying to lift the school bus. In all, it took about thirty people to make the superhuman effort. They eventually lifted the 5-ton bus off of Sanz, and someone pulled her out. She was still alive.
An ambulance rushed her to the hospital, where doctors performed a C-section. Little Sean weighed only 3 pounds, 6 ounces, but doctors say he is showing signs of improvement.
Donette was alive for the birth. But passed away about an hour later.
Still, her family says they are grateful to those who rushed to help her. While the loss of Donnette is great--- without the quick action of people who didn't even know her, the family also would have lost Sean.
Many New Yorkers get a bad rap. A lot of people point to the huge city as a place where people have lost their concern for their fellow man. A place where people won't stop to help another person in trouble.
About thirty people blew that perception out of the water just this past week.
On Thursday, Donnette Sanz left her desk at the New York Police Department to head out to lunch. Sanz normally served as a traffic agent with the department--- directing traffic and issuing parking tickets--- but had been placed on administrative duty when she became pregnant. As of last week, she was seven months along.
She walked out of the Bronx office and waited for the light at one of the busiest intersections in the borough. The light changed. She started to cross.
She didn't notice a van barreling toward the intersection. The van's driver would later say that his brakes failed. And police reports would indicate that the brakes had indeed deteriorated to the point that the van was unsafe to drive. The driver says he saw Sanz but couldn't stop.
The impact threw Sanz in front of a moving yellow school bus (no children were inside). And she became pinned underneath.
The crowd immediately rushed into action. Witnesses say that people converged from all directions and just started trying to lift the school bus. In all, it took about thirty people to make the superhuman effort. They eventually lifted the 5-ton bus off of Sanz, and someone pulled her out. She was still alive.
An ambulance rushed her to the hospital, where doctors performed a C-section. Little Sean weighed only 3 pounds, 6 ounces, but doctors say he is showing signs of improvement.
Donette was alive for the birth. But passed away about an hour later.
Still, her family says they are grateful to those who rushed to help her. While the loss of Donnette is great--- without the quick action of people who didn't even know her, the family also would have lost Sean.
Friday, August 15, 2008
The Power of Thanks
As promised, this is a story as told to me by my friend--- who I mention in the previous post:
"Three months ago, I was in Dallas in a hotel, where I saw the name tag of a former student of mine, taking a course that I taught on the internet. I approached her and confirmed that I indeed had recognized the correct person.
I asked her about my course. She expressed delight in what she had learned but especially the final assignment in urban issues that I had required. It was to express thankfulness to her city for mediating goodness and grace in some symbolic way. Because she works at a 'rescue mission' for the homeless, she decided to walk the streets of the worst section of her city and pray God's grace and kindness in front of every home that she passed. According to her, her husband was very upset that she would risk walking in the hood, but she did so anyway.
Then she decided she needed to express thanks and pray for the top city administrators who bear the burden of such communities, and requested an appointment with the mayor. His secretary, after much hassle conceded her 5 minutes. When she arrived, she was ushered into his office and thanked him for his services to the community. She said that he was shocked, in that generally people come at him with complaints or demands. Suddenly his apprehension turned into warmth. As she volunteered for pray for God's strength in his many difficult responsibilities, he suggested that his staff join him for the prayer. Soon word got out and the Chief of Police wanted a similar time with her . . .and the superintendent of schools. They were all astonished that a regular citizen should care for each of them in this way.
She said that a strange turn has occurred since then, concerning the relationship of the mission to the community. Previously what had been a detached, often confrontative relationship between the city and the mission, now became one of mutual support and interest, with government officials now considering the mission a friendly ally, with benefits to both. And just that week, the mayor had called her to ask for special prayer for his sick wife."
"Three months ago, I was in Dallas in a hotel, where I saw the name tag of a former student of mine, taking a course that I taught on the internet. I approached her and confirmed that I indeed had recognized the correct person.
I asked her about my course. She expressed delight in what she had learned but especially the final assignment in urban issues that I had required. It was to express thankfulness to her city for mediating goodness and grace in some symbolic way. Because she works at a 'rescue mission' for the homeless, she decided to walk the streets of the worst section of her city and pray God's grace and kindness in front of every home that she passed. According to her, her husband was very upset that she would risk walking in the hood, but she did so anyway.
Then she decided she needed to express thanks and pray for the top city administrators who bear the burden of such communities, and requested an appointment with the mayor. His secretary, after much hassle conceded her 5 minutes. When she arrived, she was ushered into his office and thanked him for his services to the community. She said that he was shocked, in that generally people come at him with complaints or demands. Suddenly his apprehension turned into warmth. As she volunteered for pray for God's strength in his many difficult responsibilities, he suggested that his staff join him for the prayer. Soon word got out and the Chief of Police wanted a similar time with her . . .and the superintendent of schools. They were all astonished that a regular citizen should care for each of them in this way.
She said that a strange turn has occurred since then, concerning the relationship of the mission to the community. Previously what had been a detached, often confrontative relationship between the city and the mission, now became one of mutual support and interest, with government officials now considering the mission a friendly ally, with benefits to both. And just that week, the mayor had called her to ask for special prayer for his sick wife."
Renewed Spirit
I'm back. Promise. And I will update regularly now. And will also set aside more time to respond to comments.
I've figured out that I'm supposed to be concentrating on this.
For those of you who don't know, after a six month hiatus from working (i.e., trying to figure out what to do with my life), I finally found a new job doing something I love. Teaching. :) I am coaching and teaching people how to effectively get their messages across to the media.
Unfortunately, it has taken up much of my time--- since I've never done it before! Establishing curricula and learning the ins and outs of coaching students has been a challenge, to say the least. I've had a lot of 18-hour work days in the past four weeks.
I'm more settled now. So I will now resume the blog--- and plan to resume it regularly. And I really thank everyone for sticking around (if you're still here). ;)
My next story will come via a friend of mine. In order to understand the significance of this story, I think I need to tell you a bit about my friend.
In August 2003, I planned a trip to visit my mother in North Carolina. My son was around six months old, and was actually a pretty good air traveler at that point (much better than when he reached the age of two). ;)
My son and I sat next to a very kind looking man. I have to admit I was a little preoccupied with the kiddo, so didn't really chat. Until something very unusual happened.
As we taxied out to the runway, the plane pulled over to the side and stopped, and the pilot turned off the engines. His voice filled the PA system.
"Um, this is going to sound a bit unusual, but our flight is on hold right now because of storms over Cincinnati." We had a scheduled layover in Ohio. "What's really strange is that it's not the system itself that's holding us up--- it's the fact that lightning has struck the runway. So workers are now checking damage, and will let us know soon if we have clearance to take off."
I've been flying regularly since I was a child--- a result of divorced parents who lived in different states. I've never heard of lightning striking a runway. I'm sure it happens, but it had never happened to delay one of my flights.
I became a little worried about my son. He was a good baby, and actually fell asleep when the plane started to move. When the plane stopped, though... he was wide awake. The man next to me looked over at him, and started up a conversation about his own grandchildren.
We moved from talking about family to discussing work. He told me he was a theology professor. I told him I was a TV journalist. We started to discuss --- you got it --- good news and the power of good news. :) I had always wanted to report more of it, and he had always wanted to see more of it.
He told me he spent much of his time traveling all over the world (as a matter of fact, he is out of the country right now as I write this) and he sees good news happening on a regular basis.
So it turns out the lightning had a purpose. We had plenty of time to talk about our passion for good news. Much more time than we would have had otherwise. Once we were up in the air, the trip wasn't that long.
We emailed each other a few times after that trip. He would tell me about stories he found particularly enlightening and heartening. I would pitch those story ideas to my managers, who would always turn it down. They didn't have time for enlightening and heartening. There were too many crime stories we had to cover.
Now you see why I'm no longer in news.
We lost touch eventually. I moved to another state and took one more news job before I decided I had to leave the business.
I wandered aimlessly for a while, trying to figure out what to do next. I started this blog, but found myself unable to keep it up regularly. Then something happened to remind me about the importance of good news. :)
I was pretty good friends with my last co-anchor. He and I kept in touch after I left the station. I would try to give him advice on how to handle certain things at work that were frustrating him.
Earlier this year, he took some time off from work to make a trip to China. He was there to observe a forum of theological experts. On his way home, he happened to strike up a conversation with one of the participants while they waited at an airport. The conversation moved to news. And good news. And the theologian happened to mention the name of a reporter he once talked to on a plane, one he had really admired.
My colleague says he about fell off of his chair.
Names and notes were exchanged. A couple of weeks later, I received an email from my former co-anchor asking about having lunch to talk about how things were going. At that lunch, he handed me a note. And the rest is history. :)
I have heard from my theology friend a number of times since then. He sent me a story I plan on publishing later this evening, and plans on sending me more.
That conversation we started five years ago this month is now coming to fruition. Just goes to show, even when one door seems to close... a window always remains open. :)
I've figured out that I'm supposed to be concentrating on this.
For those of you who don't know, after a six month hiatus from working (i.e., trying to figure out what to do with my life), I finally found a new job doing something I love. Teaching. :) I am coaching and teaching people how to effectively get their messages across to the media.
Unfortunately, it has taken up much of my time--- since I've never done it before! Establishing curricula and learning the ins and outs of coaching students has been a challenge, to say the least. I've had a lot of 18-hour work days in the past four weeks.
I'm more settled now. So I will now resume the blog--- and plan to resume it regularly. And I really thank everyone for sticking around (if you're still here). ;)
My next story will come via a friend of mine. In order to understand the significance of this story, I think I need to tell you a bit about my friend.
In August 2003, I planned a trip to visit my mother in North Carolina. My son was around six months old, and was actually a pretty good air traveler at that point (much better than when he reached the age of two). ;)
My son and I sat next to a very kind looking man. I have to admit I was a little preoccupied with the kiddo, so didn't really chat. Until something very unusual happened.
As we taxied out to the runway, the plane pulled over to the side and stopped, and the pilot turned off the engines. His voice filled the PA system.
"Um, this is going to sound a bit unusual, but our flight is on hold right now because of storms over Cincinnati." We had a scheduled layover in Ohio. "What's really strange is that it's not the system itself that's holding us up--- it's the fact that lightning has struck the runway. So workers are now checking damage, and will let us know soon if we have clearance to take off."
I've been flying regularly since I was a child--- a result of divorced parents who lived in different states. I've never heard of lightning striking a runway. I'm sure it happens, but it had never happened to delay one of my flights.
I became a little worried about my son. He was a good baby, and actually fell asleep when the plane started to move. When the plane stopped, though... he was wide awake. The man next to me looked over at him, and started up a conversation about his own grandchildren.
We moved from talking about family to discussing work. He told me he was a theology professor. I told him I was a TV journalist. We started to discuss --- you got it --- good news and the power of good news. :) I had always wanted to report more of it, and he had always wanted to see more of it.
He told me he spent much of his time traveling all over the world (as a matter of fact, he is out of the country right now as I write this) and he sees good news happening on a regular basis.
So it turns out the lightning had a purpose. We had plenty of time to talk about our passion for good news. Much more time than we would have had otherwise. Once we were up in the air, the trip wasn't that long.
We emailed each other a few times after that trip. He would tell me about stories he found particularly enlightening and heartening. I would pitch those story ideas to my managers, who would always turn it down. They didn't have time for enlightening and heartening. There were too many crime stories we had to cover.
Now you see why I'm no longer in news.
We lost touch eventually. I moved to another state and took one more news job before I decided I had to leave the business.
I wandered aimlessly for a while, trying to figure out what to do next. I started this blog, but found myself unable to keep it up regularly. Then something happened to remind me about the importance of good news. :)
I was pretty good friends with my last co-anchor. He and I kept in touch after I left the station. I would try to give him advice on how to handle certain things at work that were frustrating him.
Earlier this year, he took some time off from work to make a trip to China. He was there to observe a forum of theological experts. On his way home, he happened to strike up a conversation with one of the participants while they waited at an airport. The conversation moved to news. And good news. And the theologian happened to mention the name of a reporter he once talked to on a plane, one he had really admired.
My colleague says he about fell off of his chair.
Names and notes were exchanged. A couple of weeks later, I received an email from my former co-anchor asking about having lunch to talk about how things were going. At that lunch, he handed me a note. And the rest is history. :)
I have heard from my theology friend a number of times since then. He sent me a story I plan on publishing later this evening, and plans on sending me more.
That conversation we started five years ago this month is now coming to fruition. Just goes to show, even when one door seems to close... a window always remains open. :)
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Still here...
My apologies for not getting back to the blog recently, it's been a very busy couple of weeks!
Among other things, I have a new job (not in journalism), and it's taking up quite a bit of my time.
I hope you will all stick with me as I try to figure out my new schedule. More to come. Promise. :-)
Among other things, I have a new job (not in journalism), and it's taking up quite a bit of my time.
I hope you will all stick with me as I try to figure out my new schedule. More to come. Promise. :-)
Sunday, July 13, 2008
The Good Samaritan
Among the most heartbreaking stories I had to cover when I was a reporter--- stories where people were in the wrong place at the wrong time. An innocent person would unknowingly wander into a dangerous situation and end up becoming part of a tragic news story.
On the flip side, there are instances of people being in the right place at the right time.
The following is one such story that took place just this past month. Most organizations would not consider this story to be newsworthy, because nothing bad happened. But something tells me that this story had a huge impact on the 15-year-old girl who was helped by a mysterious good Samaritan.
The girl was waiting at a subway station in London when a man in his 40’s approached her and started talking to her in a suggestive way. She looked around at strangers near her, desperately trying to make eye contact, and mouthed the word “help.”
One woman responded. She walked over to the 15-year-old and pretended she was a long lost friend. She then stayed with the girl until the girl’s train arrived.
It’s a simple story. Not many news organizations would consider it important because nothing happened, and there was no proof that anything bad would have happened if the woman had not intervened. In fact, the only reason I found out about it was because London Police received a number of follow-up reports about a man matching that description approaching women on subway trains, and they are hoping the good Samaritan will step forward with more information.
Still. In the midst of all of the bad news these days--- especially news showing people standing by while others near them are suffering in some way--- it gives me hope. :-)
On the flip side, there are instances of people being in the right place at the right time.
The following is one such story that took place just this past month. Most organizations would not consider this story to be newsworthy, because nothing bad happened. But something tells me that this story had a huge impact on the 15-year-old girl who was helped by a mysterious good Samaritan.
The girl was waiting at a subway station in London when a man in his 40’s approached her and started talking to her in a suggestive way. She looked around at strangers near her, desperately trying to make eye contact, and mouthed the word “help.”
One woman responded. She walked over to the 15-year-old and pretended she was a long lost friend. She then stayed with the girl until the girl’s train arrived.
It’s a simple story. Not many news organizations would consider it important because nothing happened, and there was no proof that anything bad would have happened if the woman had not intervened. In fact, the only reason I found out about it was because London Police received a number of follow-up reports about a man matching that description approaching women on subway trains, and they are hoping the good Samaritan will step forward with more information.
Still. In the midst of all of the bad news these days--- especially news showing people standing by while others near them are suffering in some way--- it gives me hope. :-)
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Wow...
Thank you to all of the people who visited my blog thanks to the Fat Doctor blog (she's GREAT, isn't she?) and left comments. :-) I must admit, I let the blog fall by the wayside for a month because I wasn't even sure that anyone was reading it. ;-) Now that I know people are reading it, I will get back to work...!
More good news soon.
Thank you!
More good news soon.
Thank you!
Thursday, June 12, 2008
A Phoenix Rises
Today's story centers around one of my favorite quotes:
This simple philosophy can be hard to follow… especially in the face of tragedy. But sometimes the worst tragedies can bring forth the most heartwarming attitudes, and stories of love and hope.
Take the people of Greensburg, Kansas.
A little more than a year ago--- on a May night in 2007 --- a massive 2-mile-wide tornado ripped through the small town, leveling nearly 95 percent of the town’s buildings, and taking eleven lives.
At the time, the stories on the news were heartbreaking. Everyone in the town was affected by it. The tornado spared no one. Those who didn’t lose their homes lost loved ones and friends. Others lost both. Most people lost everything they had ever known. The devastation was so extensive that many in the media found themselves asking residents the questions, “Will you rebuild? Can you rebuild? And why? Why not just move to another town after such a huge loss?”
From the very beginning, the answers were always the same:
Yes, we will rebuild.
Yes, we can rebuild.
We will rebuild because this is our home.
We will not move because we refuse to lose our community.
Almost immediately, help began pouring in.
First came the donations of food, bottled water and clothing. So much came from so many places…. the town eventually had no place to put it all.
Next, the money started trickling in. Federal aid, state aid, help from organizations, businesses, universities, elementary schools, even kids who donated funds from their piggy banks. All of this added up to millions of dollars. Millions to help the town of 1,500 people get back on its feet.
Soon after that came the building supplies. Chainsaws, lumber, tools, generators, even donated trucks were ending up on the city’s doorstep.
The townsfolk put the donations to good use. Most of the community has yet to be rebuilt, but changes are already evident. As the town’s website states, “Everyday in Greensburg there is something new happening. We have over 140 new homes in progress and several businesses on Main Street that are in the process of building.” A new town is rising from the ashes.
But even more important than the buildings, are the connections that have been made since the tornado struck. People in Greensburg now feel connected to the rest of the world who helped them out in their time of need. And the bonds have strengthened within the community as well. As 17-year-old Taylor Schmidt told a reporter with the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, "We helped each other out, grieved with each other, celebrated with each other and worshipped with each other. We rebuilt the town as one voice, one community."
(Note: Another interesting thing to note--- the town of Greensburg is making sure that all of its new buildings are not only stronger, but also environmentally friendly. It hopes to become an example to other communities around the country. Discovery Channel's newest channel, Planet Green, is hosting a series on the rebuilding of Greensburg, Kansas starting June 13.)
"The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to us and 90% how we respond to it. The remarkable thing is, we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past. We can not change the fact that people act in a certain way. We can not change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude."
This simple philosophy can be hard to follow… especially in the face of tragedy. But sometimes the worst tragedies can bring forth the most heartwarming attitudes, and stories of love and hope.
Take the people of Greensburg, Kansas.
A little more than a year ago--- on a May night in 2007 --- a massive 2-mile-wide tornado ripped through the small town, leveling nearly 95 percent of the town’s buildings, and taking eleven lives.
At the time, the stories on the news were heartbreaking. Everyone in the town was affected by it. The tornado spared no one. Those who didn’t lose their homes lost loved ones and friends. Others lost both. Most people lost everything they had ever known. The devastation was so extensive that many in the media found themselves asking residents the questions, “Will you rebuild? Can you rebuild? And why? Why not just move to another town after such a huge loss?”
From the very beginning, the answers were always the same:
Yes, we will rebuild.
Yes, we can rebuild.
We will rebuild because this is our home.
We will not move because we refuse to lose our community.
Almost immediately, help began pouring in.
First came the donations of food, bottled water and clothing. So much came from so many places…. the town eventually had no place to put it all.
Next, the money started trickling in. Federal aid, state aid, help from organizations, businesses, universities, elementary schools, even kids who donated funds from their piggy banks. All of this added up to millions of dollars. Millions to help the town of 1,500 people get back on its feet.
Soon after that came the building supplies. Chainsaws, lumber, tools, generators, even donated trucks were ending up on the city’s doorstep.
The townsfolk put the donations to good use. Most of the community has yet to be rebuilt, but changes are already evident. As the town’s website states, “Everyday in Greensburg there is something new happening. We have over 140 new homes in progress and several businesses on Main Street that are in the process of building.” A new town is rising from the ashes.
But even more important than the buildings, are the connections that have been made since the tornado struck. People in Greensburg now feel connected to the rest of the world who helped them out in their time of need. And the bonds have strengthened within the community as well. As 17-year-old Taylor Schmidt told a reporter with the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, "We helped each other out, grieved with each other, celebrated with each other and worshipped with each other. We rebuilt the town as one voice, one community."
(Note: Another interesting thing to note--- the town of Greensburg is making sure that all of its new buildings are not only stronger, but also environmentally friendly. It hopes to become an example to other communities around the country. Discovery Channel's newest channel, Planet Green, is hosting a series on the rebuilding of Greensburg, Kansas starting June 13.)
Sunday, June 8, 2008
A Split Second Decision
NOTE: Chances are you've heard about this story before. It was all over the news when it happened. Still, it's a good to hear it every once in a while--- to remind us all that even in the midst of tragedy, there are signs of positive light in the world. :-)
Wesley Autrey is a construction worker, a union man, a Navy veteran, and in the eyes of many, a hero.
The 50-year-old father was with his two young daughters, ages four and six, on a subway platform in Manhattan, when a young man nearby started having a seizure.
After 19-year-old Cameron Hollopeter fell, Autrey and two women rushed to help. Hollopeter managed to get up, but then stumbled off the edge of the platform onto the subway tracks below.
Just then, the unthinkable happened. A train rounded the corner, headed for the station.
Autrey barely had time to think. His experience as a construction worker gave him an idea of how much room he and Hollopeter might have if he could somehow lay on top of the convulsing man in the foot-deep trough between the tracks.
A split second later, he took a leap of faith. Literally.
Horrified onlookers watched as Autrey jumped from the platform onto Hollopeter and held him down between the tracks.
The train was unable to stop in time. It screeched to a halt only after several cars had passed over the two men.
Amazingly, the next sound they heard was Autrey’s voice. Saying he and Hollopeter were okay, and that he wanted someone to make sure his two daughters were all right.
When asked about it later, Autrey simply said, “It ain't about being a hero, it was just being there and helping the next person. That's all I did."
Wesley Autrey is a construction worker, a union man, a Navy veteran, and in the eyes of many, a hero.
The 50-year-old father was with his two young daughters, ages four and six, on a subway platform in Manhattan, when a young man nearby started having a seizure.
After 19-year-old Cameron Hollopeter fell, Autrey and two women rushed to help. Hollopeter managed to get up, but then stumbled off the edge of the platform onto the subway tracks below.
Just then, the unthinkable happened. A train rounded the corner, headed for the station.
Autrey barely had time to think. His experience as a construction worker gave him an idea of how much room he and Hollopeter might have if he could somehow lay on top of the convulsing man in the foot-deep trough between the tracks.
A split second later, he took a leap of faith. Literally.
Horrified onlookers watched as Autrey jumped from the platform onto Hollopeter and held him down between the tracks.
The train was unable to stop in time. It screeched to a halt only after several cars had passed over the two men.
Amazingly, the next sound they heard was Autrey’s voice. Saying he and Hollopeter were okay, and that he wanted someone to make sure his two daughters were all right.
When asked about it later, Autrey simply said, “It ain't about being a hero, it was just being there and helping the next person. That's all I did."
Thursday, June 5, 2008
"X" Marks the Spot
Crime plays a big role on the news. Crime coverage is a touchy subject among serious journalists, who would rather be doing issue-oriented stories instead of the latest shooting or assault.
All too often, news organizations will cover the actual crime, but unless it’s a major case, will not follow up to see how things ended. This is troubling, because it can give viewers the sense that the world is full of violence, without showing how in some cases, lives have been turned around as a result of a criminal’s actions.
Or in some cases, the criminal’s life is affected by his (or her) own crime.
30-year-old Roberto Caveda was a master burglar. Among his “loot,” a $10 million Degas painting and $2 million in jewelry.
In 2006, he was arrested by police officers. They suspected he had committed at least 80 burglaries throughout the state of California. Many assumed he had fenced the stolen items and kept the money.
The trial was long and involved, with victim after victim testifying how losing their valuables affected them personally. Caveda was convicted in 2007.
A few months later, he handed his attorney a piece of paper. It was a hand-drawn map with a big “X” marked on a San Fernando Valley freeway underpass. The map also included detailed measurements -- marking in meters how far down authorities should dig.
Police say they were shocked when they followed the map’s instructions, and found much of Caveda’s loot hidden in a 2-foot long black plastic pipe.
His attorney was shocked too. After all, Caveda could have kept silent about the stash, served his time in prison, and then retrieved the items after his release.
Instead, his attorney told a reporter, “He felt it was the right thing to do. He’s been telling me how bad he felt after seeing all of these old people testify.”
Authorities are now returning the stolen valuables to their rightful owners.
All too often, news organizations will cover the actual crime, but unless it’s a major case, will not follow up to see how things ended. This is troubling, because it can give viewers the sense that the world is full of violence, without showing how in some cases, lives have been turned around as a result of a criminal’s actions.
Or in some cases, the criminal’s life is affected by his (or her) own crime.
30-year-old Roberto Caveda was a master burglar. Among his “loot,” a $10 million Degas painting and $2 million in jewelry.
In 2006, he was arrested by police officers. They suspected he had committed at least 80 burglaries throughout the state of California. Many assumed he had fenced the stolen items and kept the money.
The trial was long and involved, with victim after victim testifying how losing their valuables affected them personally. Caveda was convicted in 2007.
A few months later, he handed his attorney a piece of paper. It was a hand-drawn map with a big “X” marked on a San Fernando Valley freeway underpass. The map also included detailed measurements -- marking in meters how far down authorities should dig.
Police say they were shocked when they followed the map’s instructions, and found much of Caveda’s loot hidden in a 2-foot long black plastic pipe.
His attorney was shocked too. After all, Caveda could have kept silent about the stash, served his time in prison, and then retrieved the items after his release.
Instead, his attorney told a reporter, “He felt it was the right thing to do. He’s been telling me how bad he felt after seeing all of these old people testify.”
Authorities are now returning the stolen valuables to their rightful owners.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Elves in Kansas City
It’s a little known fact that Santa has a pretty big workshop full of elves in Kansas City, Missouri. Every year, those elves work through the night on Christmas Eve to bring joy and happiness to those who need it the most.
Like 10-year-old Josh Bailey and his family.
Josh, his 5-year-old brother Jake, and his 4-year-old sister Miriah had had a very difficult year. Their father, Jerry, had died of brain cancer. Josh’s mother, Sheri, said that the little boy was holding Jerry’s hand when he passed away.
The next several months were very difficult. Josh blamed himself for his father’s death. He had prayed to God to heal his father. Now he thought maybe there might not be a God.
Then Santa’s elves arrived on the scene.
Sheri said that one of the things Jerry had hoped to do before he discovered he was ill, was to give each of his kids their own bedroom. The family lived in a two-story duplex with only two bedrooms, both on the downstairs floor.
A man who wants to be known only as “Chief Elf” found out about Jerry and his promise, telling Sheri, “We have spies everywhere.” He assured her that he could help, rolled up his sleeves, and went to work.
At the turn of the 21st century, Santa’s Kansas City workshop had roughly 650 elves, consisting of people from all walks of life. Factory workers, lawyers, business people, journalists… and yes, construction workers.
Chief Elf got on the phone and called his construction contacts. He presented them with the biggest challenge they would ever face--- renovating an entire floor of a home…. in just one night.
The chief contracting elf had serious doubts. He joined Chief Elf on a trip to Sheri’s home to scope out the situation. One look at her, and he says he knew they had to figure out a way to do it.
“I was a little choked up thinking about what kind of Christmas they would have without us,” he told a reporter with The Kansas City Star.
Christmas Eve.
Josh, Jake, and Miriah had been sent to another home for the night. Soon after they left, Santa’s elves drove up to the Bailey’s home. Carpenters, painters, decorators, carpet layers---- a large group of people in pointy elf hats who all came ready to work non-stop.
Nine hours later, Josh, his brother and sister arrived back at a new home.
Their eyes filled with joy and awe as they discovered found three new bedrooms--- complete with furniture and toys.
There was also a plaque.
A promise is a promise. Love, Dad
According to the Star, Josh asked his mom, “Was it really dad?”
Sheri is said to have replied softly, “Your dad was talking with God about his promise to your kids about giving you each a bedroom. So God found people on earth who could make it happen.”
The elves had pulled off a miracle.
Like 10-year-old Josh Bailey and his family.
Josh, his 5-year-old brother Jake, and his 4-year-old sister Miriah had had a very difficult year. Their father, Jerry, had died of brain cancer. Josh’s mother, Sheri, said that the little boy was holding Jerry’s hand when he passed away.
The next several months were very difficult. Josh blamed himself for his father’s death. He had prayed to God to heal his father. Now he thought maybe there might not be a God.
Then Santa’s elves arrived on the scene.
Sheri said that one of the things Jerry had hoped to do before he discovered he was ill, was to give each of his kids their own bedroom. The family lived in a two-story duplex with only two bedrooms, both on the downstairs floor.
A man who wants to be known only as “Chief Elf” found out about Jerry and his promise, telling Sheri, “We have spies everywhere.” He assured her that he could help, rolled up his sleeves, and went to work.
At the turn of the 21st century, Santa’s Kansas City workshop had roughly 650 elves, consisting of people from all walks of life. Factory workers, lawyers, business people, journalists… and yes, construction workers.
Chief Elf got on the phone and called his construction contacts. He presented them with the biggest challenge they would ever face--- renovating an entire floor of a home…. in just one night.
The chief contracting elf had serious doubts. He joined Chief Elf on a trip to Sheri’s home to scope out the situation. One look at her, and he says he knew they had to figure out a way to do it.
“I was a little choked up thinking about what kind of Christmas they would have without us,” he told a reporter with The Kansas City Star.
Christmas Eve.
Josh, Jake, and Miriah had been sent to another home for the night. Soon after they left, Santa’s elves drove up to the Bailey’s home. Carpenters, painters, decorators, carpet layers---- a large group of people in pointy elf hats who all came ready to work non-stop.
Nine hours later, Josh, his brother and sister arrived back at a new home.
Their eyes filled with joy and awe as they discovered found three new bedrooms--- complete with furniture and toys.
There was also a plaque.
A promise is a promise. Love, Dad
According to the Star, Josh asked his mom, “Was it really dad?”
Sheri is said to have replied softly, “Your dad was talking with God about his promise to your kids about giving you each a bedroom. So God found people on earth who could make it happen.”
The elves had pulled off a miracle.
Monday, June 2, 2008
Saved by a Stranger
A little girl needed a miracle.
Sarah Dickman was born with a genetic disease called juvenile nephronophthisis. The disease slowly destroys the kidneys, and can take the life of a child before he or she reaches the age of 15.
The Atlanta girl was only eight, but she needed a new kidney. She had just been placed on dialysis, and her condition was getting worse by the day.
Neither of her parents were a good match. Sarah’s name was already on a national waiting list, but no matches had been determined. So as a last ditch effort, her parents put up flyers around their community. They knew there was little chance of finding a suitable donor that way. But they wanted to give their little girl every chance they could.
34-year-old Laura Bolan saw the flyer at the elementary school where Sarah and two of Laura’s children attend class. Her heart melted when she saw the girl’s smiling face.
Laura noted that she had the same blood type as the little girl. She talked to her own family, and called the Dickmans later that night.
Two people called in about the flyer, but Laura was the better match. And she didn’t even hesitate. As she told a reporter, “It breaks your heart to know there's a little girl sick out there who you could help."
The two underwent successful surgery in February.
Sarah’s parents say they are not only eternally indebted to Laura, they also plan to pay the favor forward. Her father, Joe became a living donor as a result of the sacrifice a stranger made for his child... knowing he might one day have the same opportunity to save a life.
Sarah Dickman was born with a genetic disease called juvenile nephronophthisis. The disease slowly destroys the kidneys, and can take the life of a child before he or she reaches the age of 15.
The Atlanta girl was only eight, but she needed a new kidney. She had just been placed on dialysis, and her condition was getting worse by the day.
Neither of her parents were a good match. Sarah’s name was already on a national waiting list, but no matches had been determined. So as a last ditch effort, her parents put up flyers around their community. They knew there was little chance of finding a suitable donor that way. But they wanted to give their little girl every chance they could.
34-year-old Laura Bolan saw the flyer at the elementary school where Sarah and two of Laura’s children attend class. Her heart melted when she saw the girl’s smiling face.
Laura noted that she had the same blood type as the little girl. She talked to her own family, and called the Dickmans later that night.
Two people called in about the flyer, but Laura was the better match. And she didn’t even hesitate. As she told a reporter, “It breaks your heart to know there's a little girl sick out there who you could help."
The two underwent successful surgery in February.
Sarah’s parents say they are not only eternally indebted to Laura, they also plan to pay the favor forward. Her father, Joe became a living donor as a result of the sacrifice a stranger made for his child... knowing he might one day have the same opportunity to save a life.
Sunday, June 1, 2008
A Parable of the Talents
For many people, making money simply doing something they love feels like it will never be more than a dream.
The Rev. Hamilton Coe Throckmorton helped every member of his congregation realize that dream was well within their reach--- no matter who they were, what they did for a living, or how old they were.
It was in the name of charity, but turned out to be much more.
One Sunday, he delivered a sermon about the Parable of the Talents as told in the Book of Matthew. A master called three servants before him:
“To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more. So also, the one with the two talents gained two more. But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money.”
(Matthew 25:15-18 - New International Version)
The two who doubled their “talents” (a talent was actually a sum of money thought to be more than a $1,000) received much praise and reward from their master. The one who was too afraid to take a risk was punished.
Rev. Throckmorton had a plan. He wanted to give “talents” to his congregants, with the hope that they could find a way to double their money in seven weeks. The proceeds would be given to church missions.
A number of anonymous donors made the effort possible. The church had $40,000 in all.
Each of the church’s members received $50. And most were stunned.
This was a critical turning point for many people.
Most church members rolled up their sleeves and went to work. And the word “talent” took on a whole new meaning.
Some gave their services. A physician used his $50 to pay for gas to get to and from the hospital to take over shifts for his colleagues. The extra money he made and donated was $3,000. A retired Navy pilot used his money to rent air time in a Cessna. He made $700 offering 30-minute flights for $30 each.
Others exercised their creativity. Like the 58-year-old woman who took plain flip flops, beads, and yarn... and created decorative footwear that became a huge hit. She raised $550. A nine year old boy turned ordinary construction paper into magical origami art. He raised $68. An 87-year-old picked up a hammer and rediscovered his love for carpentry making and selling bird feeders.
And this was just the beginning.
A woman who made pendants from sea glass for her grandchildren over the years started to sell them, making $450.
An 81-year-old artist who specialized in painting... discovered a new talent making stuffed dolls. She made $90.
One family pooled their money with another family in the church to offer an elegant dinner party, complete with a professional harpist. They made $1,200.
The stories blossomed over the weeks. The congregation came together talking about their “talents” and what they had achieved.
When seven weeks had passed. The congregation brought back their original talents of $50.... and then some.
They more than doubled the amount originally distributed.
The money was split between three charities, who undoubtedly needed and welcomed the gift. But in that seven weeks, so much more than money was gained.
Businesses were started. Friends were gained. Lives were revitalized. And purpose was fulfilled.
The Rev. Hamilton Coe Throckmorton helped every member of his congregation realize that dream was well within their reach--- no matter who they were, what they did for a living, or how old they were.
It was in the name of charity, but turned out to be much more.
One Sunday, he delivered a sermon about the Parable of the Talents as told in the Book of Matthew. A master called three servants before him:
“To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more. So also, the one with the two talents gained two more. But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money.”
(Matthew 25:15-18 - New International Version)
The two who doubled their “talents” (a talent was actually a sum of money thought to be more than a $1,000) received much praise and reward from their master. The one who was too afraid to take a risk was punished.
Rev. Throckmorton had a plan. He wanted to give “talents” to his congregants, with the hope that they could find a way to double their money in seven weeks. The proceeds would be given to church missions.
A number of anonymous donors made the effort possible. The church had $40,000 in all.
Each of the church’s members received $50. And most were stunned.
This was a critical turning point for many people.
Most church members rolled up their sleeves and went to work. And the word “talent” took on a whole new meaning.
Some gave their services. A physician used his $50 to pay for gas to get to and from the hospital to take over shifts for his colleagues. The extra money he made and donated was $3,000. A retired Navy pilot used his money to rent air time in a Cessna. He made $700 offering 30-minute flights for $30 each.
Others exercised their creativity. Like the 58-year-old woman who took plain flip flops, beads, and yarn... and created decorative footwear that became a huge hit. She raised $550. A nine year old boy turned ordinary construction paper into magical origami art. He raised $68. An 87-year-old picked up a hammer and rediscovered his love for carpentry making and selling bird feeders.
And this was just the beginning.
A woman who made pendants from sea glass for her grandchildren over the years started to sell them, making $450.
An 81-year-old artist who specialized in painting... discovered a new talent making stuffed dolls. She made $90.
One family pooled their money with another family in the church to offer an elegant dinner party, complete with a professional harpist. They made $1,200.
The stories blossomed over the weeks. The congregation came together talking about their “talents” and what they had achieved.
When seven weeks had passed. The congregation brought back their original talents of $50.... and then some.
They more than doubled the amount originally distributed.
The money was split between three charities, who undoubtedly needed and welcomed the gift. But in that seven weeks, so much more than money was gained.
Businesses were started. Friends were gained. Lives were revitalized. And purpose was fulfilled.
A Pressing Question
“Why isn’t there ever any good news on television?”
During my 17 years as a journalist, this was by far the most commonly asked question I received from viewers.
The answer is a bit complicated.
First of all, there is some good news on television, it’s just usually buried beneath piles of bad news. And there is a lot of bad news in the world these days, unfortunately. So much so, that a lot of good news is being squeezed out because of time concerns. After all, with only a minute left in the newscast and a choice between the story of a mysterious stranger saving a family or the latest on a horrible train derailment--- those in charge will choose the derailment 99% of the time.
It’s just the nature of the business. Time and time again the ratings indicate more viewers will stick around to watch the derailment.
It’s inevitable, but sad. Because there are a lot of good things happening in the world. Good people doing good deeds every day. We just don’t hear enough about them.
I wanted to be a journalist because I wanted to make a difference. I wanted to help people. I wanted to change lives. I remember one of the first reporters I ever “shadowed” when I was an eager, naive student took me aside one day and said, “Yeah, the stories that make a real difference...? You’ll do one--- maybe two--- a year.” I forged ahead, thinking he was wrong.
He wasn’t.
My reporting career was filled with tragic news. Fires, deadly shootings, horrible car wrecks. On a “good” day, it was filled with benign informational news: city council meetings, bridge repairs, new city ordinances.
Once in a while, a gem would appear. A sparkling diamond amongst the grains of sand on the beach. A chance to inspire and/or change lives.
Those stories always filled me with joy. So I feel compelled to share. Not just stories I reported on, but ones that appeared in newspapers and on TV... and were not given the time and attention that they deserved.
I hope these stories will fill your hearts with hope, and the knowledge that we do live in a wonderful world full of wonderful people.
During my 17 years as a journalist, this was by far the most commonly asked question I received from viewers.
The answer is a bit complicated.
First of all, there is some good news on television, it’s just usually buried beneath piles of bad news. And there is a lot of bad news in the world these days, unfortunately. So much so, that a lot of good news is being squeezed out because of time concerns. After all, with only a minute left in the newscast and a choice between the story of a mysterious stranger saving a family or the latest on a horrible train derailment--- those in charge will choose the derailment 99% of the time.
It’s just the nature of the business. Time and time again the ratings indicate more viewers will stick around to watch the derailment.
It’s inevitable, but sad. Because there are a lot of good things happening in the world. Good people doing good deeds every day. We just don’t hear enough about them.
I wanted to be a journalist because I wanted to make a difference. I wanted to help people. I wanted to change lives. I remember one of the first reporters I ever “shadowed” when I was an eager, naive student took me aside one day and said, “Yeah, the stories that make a real difference...? You’ll do one--- maybe two--- a year.” I forged ahead, thinking he was wrong.
He wasn’t.
My reporting career was filled with tragic news. Fires, deadly shootings, horrible car wrecks. On a “good” day, it was filled with benign informational news: city council meetings, bridge repairs, new city ordinances.
Once in a while, a gem would appear. A sparkling diamond amongst the grains of sand on the beach. A chance to inspire and/or change lives.
Those stories always filled me with joy. So I feel compelled to share. Not just stories I reported on, but ones that appeared in newspapers and on TV... and were not given the time and attention that they deserved.
I hope these stories will fill your hearts with hope, and the knowledge that we do live in a wonderful world full of wonderful people.
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