Nice Guy Keeps the Store Going

In small town America, it is hard to keep things going. Often young people have to move away to find a job. Farming isn't quite like it used to be. There isn't much going on in regards to economy or opportunity. But in this story, there's a bit of hope in the air.

In Truman, Minnesota, the small community had lost its grocery store. The same had happened to my grandma's little town. Once the grocery store was gone, the life of the town seemed to slip away. Nick Graham had other ideas in mind for his hometown.

Nick had been working odd jobs and helped his uncle on the turkey farm. He was able to save up about $10,000 and used this money for a down payment to buy the grocery store in Truman. He reopened the grocery store, and now he works there whenever he can, keeping the place going. People are so thankful to have their store open again, some have volunteered to stock shelves. Everyone does their best to shop there. They are so happy for the convenience of a store nearby.

You have to watch the video of the same story if you can. Not just because it is an example of good, midwestern (Minnesota) accent, but also because this Nick Graham is such a great guy. He's only 17 years old, and he's changing his corner of the world in immeasurable ways, bringing a community together.


(Image found at this location: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/12/15/assignment_america/main2272837.shtml)

Project Cuddle

This story is from People magazine It is one of their hero stories and it made me smile. For 564 babies, Debbe Magnusen is a part of the puzzle that helped them find families. She is in California, and one day she read a story about a baby who had been found dead in the trash near her home. She was so affected by this, and wondered why someone just didn't bring her the baby. Then she realized there was no way for these people to know she was there and willing to help. She needed to let people know she would help them with their babies that they maybe didn't want or couldn't take care of. So Debbe worked to create Project Cuddle.

Project Cuddle is a non-profit organization that helps moms who are pregnant and need help. No pressure. No judgement. No hassles. Just help. And Debbe and her organization has so far helped 564 babies find homes. She has helped moms in so many ways. She brought food to one girl who was living under a bridge and was pregnant. One girl had hid her pregnancy from her parents and her boyfriend and had started labor and wanted to leave the baby in the park. One mom called and hung up a few times before she finally talked to Debbe. The baby she was about to deliver was a result of a rape and this mom knew she couldn't love it. All of these moms have found great support in Project Cuddle and so many adoptive parents have found kids to love and raise as their own.

We can do so much when we put our minds to it. I watched a teacher today give every one of her kids a hug as they left class to go home. Every one of the kids willingly and happily gave her a hug and she gave them each a specific word of encouragement. We are surrounded by such gentle spirits as this teacher and Debbe, and I'm inspired.

Conrad Buchanan

I didn't stumble across this story until today. It was lost in the shuffle like so many other stories, but I think it is one worth reading. Basically, it is a celebration of a life that was offered up in an act of heroism. Was, because Conrad died December 27, 2006. Most of what is on the net right now are obituaries. He was 34 when he died.

His fame comes from an attempt to save the life of a woman who was attempting suicide. Julie Light was an aging actress who was suffering from cancer and was grieving the loss of her husband. Ms. Light stood six floors above Conrad as he tried to talk her out of jumping. She jumped anyways and he attempted to break her fall to save her life. She died soon after the fall, and he suffered from a broken neck that left him a quadriplegic. He was 26, and when asked if he would do it again, he said yes. He did not think of it as an act of heroism (so few do, it seems), but instead he thought it part of his job as a security guard at the Sherman Oaks Galleria.

After the event, Conrad required 24 hour care and was never able to hold his infant daughter, who had not yet been born at the time of the accident. But, he remained upbeat and never complained and continued to live his life as best he could under the circumstances. He did receive some recognition soon after the event, but the notoriety wore off and time slipped by and people went along with their business.

This is my tribute to another ordinary guy doing extraordinary things. Conrad is the kind of person I wish we could clone -- personality and courage included. Thanks Conrad. May the space you find yourself in now be filled with light and no more pain.

Good Samaritan 1 and 2

The first good samaritan story is from New York. This happened about three weeks ago and I just remembered the story. The story is that a four year old had crawled out onto the fire escape and had slipped. He was hanging from the fire escape and was trying to hold on, but it was evident his grip was slipping. Two guys walking by saw what was happening and went over to stand under the "baby" to catch him. The baby bounced off the chest of one man and into the arms of the other. A few scrapes, but everyone is OK.

The second good samaritan story/video is from the Boston area. A man was driving down the street and saw some smoke at a house. An older boy with his younger brother were stuck in the burning house and could not get out. The brothers were out on the roof trying to find a way to escape. A mystery good samaritan pulled over, worked with the mailman to find a ladder nearby, and they crawled up to get the kids down. A little scary, but everyone is OK.

Good people doing great things that will forever change how life unrolls for these kids.

Post the positive!

Where is all of the good news out there? I turn to the media and all I see is mayhem. I want a place where I can read about life working out. How heroes rise up and reach out to others. Please post any links you have to positive stories, or post your own. This is the place to start changing our focus from all that is wrong to "all that is good"!

How about this story. Woman was lost for 6 weeks in the Gila Wilderness. They had stopped looking for her two weeks ago. But she did not give up hope and serendipitously two hikers came by deep in the wilderness. Read about how life works out.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/01/15/camper.rescued.ap/index.html

Or this story. Man jumped to help a teen trapped and about to be hit by the subway. And it all works out. Watch the video of him talking about it on David Letterman. Inspiring!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4GaStsLadQ&eurl=