I hate watching the news. It makes me feel icky inside, like I've just kicked a puppy or something. There are two local happenings that I have caught on the news this month. One is a missing woman (with a very suspicious husband) and the other is a man who killed his wife, kids, and himself. Merry Christmas, huh?
It's hard, especially at this time of year, to hear these horrible stories. There's also the crowded stores, unrelenting people, and the ever popular road rage. With all the distraction, it can be difficult to remember there are great people in this world too.
I admire the people who stand in the cold, ringing a bell, asking for spare change. I love the Sub For Santa and Angel Tree programs. In our neighborhood, we have a program called Hearts For The Holidays, and the generosity of people never ceases to amaze me.
Many years ago, my husband and I were struggling financially. One day, right before Christmas, an envelope showed up with $100 in it. I still don't know who gave us that money, but I do know that I cried, overwhelmed by that kindness.
I'd like to say thank you, to all those out there who help, who have a desire to help, and who make this world a better place. To everyone who hears a horrible news story and feels sickened because they know humanity should be and IS better than that. And especially to those who provide a random act of kindness, because you make a difference. Thank you!
Glad you brought this up, Deb. My husband and I were just talking about a woman in the news who went into labor and had the baby so fast that her husband didn't even have time to call 911 first. But the interesting part of the story was that the baby was born on the same birthday as their other two children. That's right. That couple has three children all born on the same day, same month and different years.
ReplyDeleteSo, it's not all bad, as you already pointed out. Also, I was just reading on Bree Despain's site that her book is finally being released tomorrow. So...Hooray! for authors out there getting it done. Congrats, Bree!
Yeah, unfortunately bad news sells better than good news. Since I have to visit the news websites for work every day, I just look at headlines and try not to read all the nitty gritty details because most of the time it makes me ill.
ReplyDeleteBut, you are right Deb. There are more people out there doing good than we ever hear about, and that is what gives me hope for human kind.
There's a funny delivery of a line in a movie called A Life Less Ordinary where these two angels are on earth trying to get this couple together and the couple keeps messing things up. At one point one of the angels (played by Holly Hunter) yells in frustration, "Human freaking beings!" (they use a naugtier word).
Linda, you just cracked me up. :)
ReplyDeleteActs of Random Kindness are the best kind. My husband told me a beautiful story he read in the news the other day.
ReplyDeleteA couple, wanting to spread some cheer, paid for a random couple's dinner at a restaurant. When the random couple found out (the original couple had already gone) they decided they wanted to do the same thing for someone else.
The chain kept happening, over and over. The restaurant finally called the media because it had been several HOURS of people randomly paying for other people's dinners.
Now, THAT'S a great Christmas story. =]