We can often use a reminder that there are good people in the world, what with everything we're seeing on the news these days. A lot of horrible and heartbreaking [1] things happened this year, so it's easy to feel like the world is a bleak place. But to look at the glass half full — as we always strive to do — there were also plenty of heartwarming and touching stories that 100 percent restored our faith in humanity this year, stories we don't want to forget as we get ready to ring in 2016.
Read through for 14 stories that gave us hope for the human race this year, and don't forget to check out the year's most talked-about headlines [2].
What a Stranger Did For a Mom With a Sick Baby
Upon being discharged from the hospital after a few days with her sick 9-week-old son, a new mom found a parking ticket on her car, which was the last thing she needed. Enter stranger. On the parking ticket was a note from a woman named Laura: "Hi there. I saw your car had a parking ticket on it, I'm sure whatever you are going through at hospital is tough enough so I have paid for you." The mom took to Facebook [3] to let Laura know how much this small act meant to her.
Strangers Performed an Encouraging Act of Kindness For This Grieving Couple
For Kathie McKernan of Massillon, OH, the selfless act of two strangers [4] was encouragement on the worst day of her life. On New Year's Eve, Kathie received word that her 29-year-old son had been killed by his wife . . . a shock that no mother ever wants to face. When the grieving couple stopped at a restaurant to regroup after completing their son's arrangements, they had no idea that they'd leave crying happy tears instead of sad ones. After noticing the visibly upset pair, another couple in the local eatery bought Kathie and Michael drinks . . . but that wasn't all. When the anonymous couple left the restaurant, they asked the hostess to deliver a note to the mourning parents. Inside was a $100 bill and a sweet sentiment scrawled on a napkin: "Life gets tough sometimes, I can see it in your eyes. You might need this more than we do!"
What Adam Levine Did For a Boy With Down Syndrome Will Make You a Fan
Ten-year-old Christopher Warren is Adam Levine's biggest fan. He researched Maroon 5 for a class writing project and sang their hit "One More Night" at his school's karaoke night. Christopher's teachers put together an adorable YouTube video [5] illustrating his devotion to the band. When Hot 99.5's The Kane Show got a look at the video, they arranged for Christopher to not only get tickets to Maroon 5's March 2 concert at the Verizon Center in Washington DC, but to meet the band as well. But when Christopher saw the band, he was so overcome with excitement that he had a panic attack. Adam and the band weren't just patient with Christopher while they waited for him to calm down; they joined him on the floor [6] to take some deep breaths and chill out.
How This Barber Helped a Boy With Autism Get Over His Fear of Haircuts
James Williams, a barber in the UK, had been trying to figure out how to cut little Mason's hair [8] for over a month — Mason was diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder earlier this year — because he couldn't get him to sit still or get anywhere near his ears. Finally, he got creative one day, getting down on the floor with Mason as he played on a phone and gave the little one his first real haircut. Go James and Mason!
What 1 Firefighter Did For a Child Involved in a Car Wreck
After an awful car crash [9] in which five children were thrown from an SUV, a firefighter, Casey Lessard, made a chaotic situation for one of the injured chidlren a bit better in that moment. Getting down on the floor with the child, Lessard played a movie on his phone to keep the child distracted from the scene, entertained, and most of all, feeling safe.
The Prom Date of This Girl With Down Syndrome
Ben Moser and Mary Lapkowicz have been friends since they were in the same class in second grade, and the fact that Mary had Down syndrome was never a big deal. In fourth grade, Ben promised to take Mary to the prom, and this past May, many years later, the high school quarterback kept his promise [10]. His mom wrote in a post to Facebook, "Today was probably the proudest I have ever been of my son in his lifetime to date. . . . Today with joyful tears in my eyes and down my face I watched a promise made, seven years ago, to a beautiful girl fulfilled."
How 1 Mom Surprised Her Transgender Daughter With the Best Gift Ever
After school one day in October, Corey Maison's mom, Erica, recorded her on the couch opening up a "just because" gift that the 14-year-old transgender girl had been eagerly awaiting [12] — hormones. After months of trying to get a "readiness" letter — a letter from a therapist determining that a child is ready for hormone therapy — Corey finally got the OK. As soon as Erica got the call from the pharmacy, she knew she wanted to tape this special and emotional moment in her daughter's life. You go, Mom.
An Appreciative Mother Wrote a Letter to the Man at the Rodeo Who Changed Their Lives
When Lincoln was adopted earlier this year by Charity Stewart Robinson, he was afraid of people. He had been diagnosed with a sensory processing disorder and language disorder, and his new mama didn't know when she'd see the day that he could laugh, play, or engage with others. Everything changed for her — and Lincoln — on a family outing to the rodeo when he approached a man sitting down the row from them. Robinson wrote a heartfelt and grateful letter to this man who Lincoln grew instantly attached to, which she posted to her Facebook [13].
When Her Daughter Approached a Group of Teenage Boys at a Park, 1 Mom Did NOT Expect This
Jeanean Thomas's 6-year-old daughter Peyton had been wanting to skateboard for a long time, but she was hesitant because she wasn't sure if it was "just for boys." She brought her to a skate park to test out her new board, and when one of the boys there approached Peyton as she was trying to skateboard, the unexpected happened — he asked if he could help. He said, "Your feet are wrong. Can I help you?" The mom was so grateful for this response and happy that Peyton got to do what she went there to do. Jeanean shared a sweet letter to the boy [14] on Twitter to show her appreciation.
NICU Nurses Dressed Babies in Sweet Handmade Halloween Costumes
While a family's time in the NICU may not be the easiest, the nursing staff at Loyola Medicine gave the families of these babies something to smile about [15]. These pint-size patients were dressed with care in handcrafted costumes — including a jar of Jif peanut butter and a Chicago Bulls basketball player — by the nurses for the annual NICU Halloween [16] costume contest, and they couldn't have looked any cuter.
This Sweet Professor Looked After His Student's Kids While She Took Her Final
When single mother and Army ROTC student Monica Romero learned that her babysitter canceled on the day of her final exam, her friend suggested she bring her two kids with her. She brought a laptop and tablet to keep them busy in the hallway, but it was difficult to keep them quiet for very long. Instead of asking Monica to leave, her professor, Dr. Daniel Krebs, kindly told her, "Go take your test. I'll take care of this." While Monica finished her exam, he stayed out in the hall [17] and played with them. If that doesn't earn Dr. Krebs a professor of the year title, we're not sure what would.
What 1 Grocery Store Cashier Did For a Sad Little Boy
Kimberly Grandinette was out grocery shopping with her 3-year-old son when they met Kristen C., their cashier, at the end of their trip. Grandinette started talking to Kristen about her infant son spending some time in the hospital and how the changes around the house and in their routine were affecting and upsetting her older son. The little boy then asked Kristen if he could help her ring up the groceries. Grandinette posted a photo to Meijer's Facebook page [18] of the two scanning items together. The mother said the act made her "son's day . . . a bit brighter."