A Daily Antidote to Everything Else
An American Airlines customer service manager at Charlotte Douglas International Airport was honored Tuesday after officials said he saved two lives in one day.
Source: American Airlines customer service manager saves 2 lives in 1 day | WSOC-TV
Let’s just call this better airline-related news than we’ve been hearing of lately, OK? It’s much more common than all that other stuff.
Carsten knew he only had hours left to live – so he spent his final moments with his family in front of the sunset, with cigarette and wine in hand.
Source: Hospital Grants Dying Patient’s Last Wish For Wine, Cigarette – Good News Network
I’ve always been puzzled by restrictions placed on terminal patients in hospitals, nursing homes, and other similar venues. It seems so inconsequential – and as we see here, potentially even a final gift – to allow the dying their vices on the way out. When my time comes, a little coffee vodka, please, or if available perhaps some Advocaat. 
“Thank you for showing that football is not just football,” said one.
What makes the mainstream news, of course, are fights and ill-behaved fans and players. More common, I think, are the gestures of respect shown here. Doesn’t matter what sport, doesn’t matter what countries are involved, good sportsmanship transcends all divides.
A cat rescued from northern Syria by a Turkish soldier during the Euphrates Shield Operation in February has found his new home: A bookstore in Istanbul.
Source: Cat rescued by Turkish soldier in Syria’s al-Bab finds new home in Istanbul bookstore – ANIMALS
Yes, there are horrors happening in Syria, and I don’t mean to diminish that at all. This story just put a smile on my face. There are animal lovers world-wide.
This seaweed packaging is entirely renewable and mold resistant– a natural alternative to ubiquitous plastic.
Source: Student Invents Biodegradable Packaging From Seagrass That Washes Up on Beaches
Replacing plastic with more readily biodegradable materials only makes sense. Given the ubiquity of seaweed, it seems like an obvious translation that can only help our environment. That is was created by a student? Bonus.
Several commuters rescued a man who fell from a train platform to the tracks below in downtown Atlanta, Ga. (AP)
Source: Watch witnesses rescue man who fell onto subway tracks – The Washington Post
Honestly the best take-away is a quote at the very end of the Washington Post’s article:
“Every day we’re presented with opportunities to lend a hand and be compassionate to one another,” said Summers. “This was one of those times, and I’m just glad I was able to help.”
Indeed.
These teens didn’t waste a moment, springing into action when they saw a 5-year-old boy slip off of a cliff and into a fast-moving river.
Source: Teens Are Instant Heroes For Saving a Boy Who Fell Off a Cliff – Good News Network
It’s all too easy to write off “today’s kids” whenever we hear some of the stories that make the news. That would simply be wrong. As Paul Harvey used to say, “Wash your ears out with this” — a story that represents what I believe is actually more common in today’s youth than we might realize.
Jack celebrated his special day with a bang.
After the story a couple of days ago about the 4 year old enjoying the heck out of a acrobatic flight, I just couldn’t pass up this story when I came across it. This is the centenarian I want to be… right down to the spiked tea. 🙂
Buddhist leader meets Naren Chandra Das 58 years after he escorted him in India after his escape from Chinese authorities
Source: Dalai Lama’s emotional reunion with guard who aided flight from Tibet | World news | The Guardian
Regardless of how you feel about the circumstances of the Dalai Lama’s exodus from Tibet, this reunion with one of the guards that assisted him at the time is so touching.
The development could help provide clean drinking water for millions of people who lack access to safe sources.
Source: Graphene-based sieve turns seawater into drinking water – BBC News
The ultimate goal is to create a filtration device that will produce potable water from seawater or wastewater with minimal energy input.
I’ve thought for a long time that there’s a huge opportunity to dramatically impact humanity’s health worldwide by developing cost-effective water desalination. Sounds like we’re on the path.