Some Good News

Hello All,

Well, 2021 has not started out as I hoped. Our country remains tense – the pandemic is just relentless. We are tired. We are wary. I decided that the blog I was going to post this week could wait another week.

One of my favorite authors Charlie Mackesy, who wrote “The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse”, posted in Instagram the following, using his characters:

“‘What do we do when our hearts hurt?’ asked the boy.

“We wrap them with friendship, shared tears and time, till they wake hopeful and happy again.'”

So I thought I would wrap our hearts with joy and good news this week. Or as Willie Giest says on Sunday Today, all highs, no lows! And these are in no particular order and cover quite a variety of highs – to make you smile, to fill you with joy, to bring some peace!

The first high for me, and a very poignant one that is full of hope, was the site of New Jersey’s Congressman Andy Kim on his knees cleaning up the trash in the Capitol’s rotunda after the riots last week. “I didn’t want to see it in that state” he said. “Beneath the rotunda is a room called the Crypt, where you can find the cornerstone of the Capitol which was laid by George Washington. I wanted to show that building respect, because this is bigger than of us.” Thank you, Congressman Kim, for your dedication! New Jersey – be proud!

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium celebrated the birth of its first baby koala in 15 years, and the third successful birth since the zoo began housing koalas in 1991! Katy has given birth! Currently the joey is about the size of a softball and has just recently open its eyes….and is safely burrowed in his mom’s pouch. The new baby should be out of her pouch in mid-March!

For the 17th year in a row, Americans rated the honesty and ethics of nurses highest among a list of professions! Currently 85% of Americans say nurses’ honestly and ethical standards as “very high” or “high”. In fact, with the exception of 2001, “when firefighters were on the list after 9/11, nurses have outpaced all other professions since they were added in 1999”. Medical doctors came in second  at 67%. WAY TO GO NURSES! And THANK YOU for all you doing through these trying times.

The Girl Scouts are getting creativity badges for sure this year! In many locations they are partnering with GrubHub to add another way to get your cookie fix taken care of! GrubHub is being a great partner and is waiving their usual fees to help the troops and councils maximize their profits. That is ingenuity and partnership at its finest!

Here is a doctor with a true heart of gold! Dr. Omar founded the Arkansas Cancer Center in 1991, treating patients with radiation and chemotherapy. In February of 2020, he had to close the clinic due to staffing shortages. At that time there was almost $650,000 in bills outstanding. He never denied a single patient treatment, regardless of their ability to pay. “I’ve always considered it a high honor and privilege to be someone’s physician, more important than anything else.” He attempted to settle the debts, but realized that many folks didn’t have money to pay, especially with the pandemic. With the blessing of his wife and family, he stopped asking. They looked to see if they forgive the debt – they saw they could do it – and did so! Dr. Omar sent out Christmas cards to over 200 patients, telling them the clinic had forgiven all of the balances! “I just hope that it gave them a little sign of relief and made it easier for them so they could face the other challenges they may be facing in their lives.”

Kudos to the Newark New Jersey Police Department for their wonderful working in taking new approaches and ensuring all of their officers received de-escalation education to help them handle difficult situations. It is working! In 2020 not a single officer fired his/her weapon while on duty! (In a year with civil unrest and a pandemic!)

I am just in love with 13-year old Jaxson Turner from Texas! He started his non-profit N2Y2C (Never Too Young to Care) when he was 11 years old! This year Jaxson raised $5,900 through GoFundMe and social media to supply all 61 children at The Samaritan Inn with Christmas! He bought each child new shoes, new coats, new socks and a stuffed animal – and gave the presents to the children at the Christmas party and magic show he organized for them! He told CBS affiliate in Texas that “Doing all the charity work makes me happy.” He also said “In life, I want to become the president, and I have to start somewhere.” I think I would bet on Jaxson!

Let me end with the lyrics of a brand new song by Tim McGraw and Tyler Hubbard (of Florida Georgia Line). They just released a new single called “Undivided”. These two are bringing hope:

“I think it’s time to come together. You and I can make a change.

Maybe we can make a difference, make the world a better place.

Look around and love somebody, we’ve been hateful long enough.

Let the good Lord reunite us til this country that we love is undivided.”

Positive change. Love . Compassion. Peace. We can do this.

Phyl