22 Comments
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David E. Roy  Ph.D.'s avatar

There is wholeness in your telling that is warm and loving, the best of human nature…memorializing the better angels of our nature.

MCKENNA LINN's avatar

Another fabulous essay. Your writing, your insights, are a joy to read. Thank you again.

Patricia Davis's avatar

Congratulations on the house. Applause for the courage, the rescue. Thanks for a great lifting story.

Dian Allison's avatar

What an absolutely beautiful article, Shanley! It's as nourishing as a bowl of homemade soup. Thank you so much for being a beacon of sanity and hope in these demoralizing times. I love the way you tie your own observations, your family, and the larger world together so well.

Andrea Jepson's avatar

I don’t even know where to start to thank you for this essay. It hit everything I needed to hear. Courage, hope, love, energy, nature, bear baby movement, so many happy endings. My heart is full. Mahalo from Oahu

DASP's avatar

I absolutely love to read what you have written. This particular piece touched my heart in a special way. I needed that today. Thank you.

Barbara Allen's avatar

Not many writers these days talk about the kindness that exists in the everyday people...Thank you for doing this, for reminding us. We are all alive because someone cared for us at some time in some way that made a difference. We all need reminding of this. Keep it up, Shanley.

Gillian Butler's avatar

Another beautiful story. We need these stories about everyday heroes.

Teresa Blagg's avatar

As always, an absolutely beautiful and loving tribute to life! Many blessings to you and much gratitude for your gift!

Joyce Emrick deLinas's avatar

Wow! Love it. This brought me teary eyes, but feeling so much gratitude for our everyday heroes. What a great talent you have to make us feel all the things so vividly.

Tanya Huertas's avatar

Congratulations on the house & May your lives continue to fill its walls with love, laughter and your beautiful stories.

Laurie Trombley's avatar

I needed this today. It's perfect. Thank you, Shanley.

Congrats on 5th anniversary. Happy Birthday to Pa. Such gratitude and admiration for the rescuer. Yay for Ezra's bear walk and tooth. You have emanated so much love into and for your home that I'm sure the structure has soaked it up, and the soil and trees are drenched in it ... even the fungii are drinking in love's magical powers. The garden fairies are sparkling with love dust.

One more thing. I'm SO VERY UPSET by the phenomenally ignorant Governor Abbott of Texas bringing an elephant to his rally. I read they rented the poor creature from a place with a long history of animal abuse. I just can't stop thinking about it. Could everyone please send good thoughts and wishes to the Universe for that elephant to go to a loving sanctuary.

Dorothy Pullen's avatar

Humanity is not about grand gestures so much as ordinary people who instinctively help others. Thanks for the reminder Shanley. We're all just walking each other home. The Hurt family is now home. May joy and laughter fill those four walls today and always.

Nancy Harmon Jenkins's avatar

Just simply thank you for this.

David Olson's avatar

Happy fifth and congrats on your home.

You say in today’s post what I believe is true. At its heart, the world is kind. Yes, we have the catastrophic. The unnecessary wars. Those who grift others. But on balance it is the kindness of strangers, such as this anecdote. It is our world of art and music and city parks. For some the abiding faith creating community. For many, the helping hand to a stranger. The simple hospitality of a door held open. Our world is not without woe, but on balance our evolution is from kindness.

sally plumly's avatar

I have no words , but you do. Gracias