Not All News is Bad!

American Airlines CEO Doug Parker took the flight on competitor Southwest Airlines Friday that turned into an exchange about race in the midst of nationwide protests.

Source: ‘Bring people together, not apart:’ Chance encounter on a Southwest Airlines flight turns into emotional discussion on race

I found this moving, in a very good way.

Volunteers poured into downtown Seattle Sunday morning to help clean up after a peaceful protest turned violent Saturday.

Source: Community rallies to cleanup downtown Seattle after Saturday’s violent protests, looting | king5.com

Obviously this is a complex and distressing situation, but I take heart in the number of people that responded in this way as well.

Flashes of beauty have bloomed in the most random of places around New York over the past several years — a trash can here, a phone booth there — with surprise displays of flowers.

Source: A floral designer is beautifying the streets of New York with elaborate displays for health care workers – CNN

What a neat idea.

When Deirdre Taylor was preparing to leave her Virginia home to fight Covid-19 in New York on the front lines, she made sure to pack a possession that she held dear for over three decades: a front-page newspaper article.

Source: A nurse on the Covid-19 front line reconnects with the New York City firefighter who rescued her from a burning building 37 years ago – CNN

I love reunion stories.

For decades, a tortoise named Ms. Jennifer happily lived with her owner, who would take her to the bank and other places around their town of Waltham, Massachusetts, showing her off to anyone interested.

Source: Ms. Jennifer, a 53-year-old tortoise, has found a new home after her owner died of Covid-19 – CNN

Tortoises need love too…

After spending two years apart, U.S. Army Sgt. Jake Ferkin was reunited with his best friend in Boerne, Texas, after being separated in 2018.

Source: Army sergeant reunites with dog he served with in Iraq after spending two years apart

I love that they make this possible.

New social distancing rules meant many worshippers had nowhere to go until the church stepped in.

Source: Ramadan: German church opens doors for Muslim prayers – BBC News

For some reason I find this inter-faith support and respect reassuring.

The company’s corporate guests canceled their trips, and occupancy went from 95 percent to 10 percent. So they put their condos to use.

Source: Hearing that medical workers were sleeping in campers, this group gives them free temporary condos – The Washington Post

Great move.

(Important: a note about paywalls.)

Rob Kenney grew up without a dad, but he wants other kids to learn some important lessons, hence the reason he started his YouTube channel.

Source: Guy Who Grew Up Without Dad Creates YouTube Channel To Teach Kids

What a great role model.

All seniors shopping during this time were notified at checkout that the groceries they had purchased were free thanks to an anonymous donor.

Source: Anonymous donor pays for Foodland groceries for nearly 2,000 kupuna – Honolulu, Hawaii news, sports & weather – KITV Channel 4

Kapuna -> honored elder. A very nice gesture.