After 2020, we felt like we’ve seen it all. Then, a freak cold blast this week transformed the United States into Arendelle, but with a whole lot less charm and fewer singing snowmen. Needless to say, most moms could use a pick-me-up right now.
So, rather than focus on mom burnout, ice, political turmoil or the pandemic, we decided to look for some good news stories. Here are our favorites.
The Teens Stepping Up For Vaccine Trials
While it’s great to see that COVID vaccines are being rolled out around the world, there’s still a big unknown: when will we have a vaccine that is safe for children? Luckily, some brave teens are stepping up and volunteering for clinical trials for a vaccine that would be approved for kids ages 12-18.
One twelve-year-old two is enrolling in an Ohio study told The New York Times, “It would be helping science and beat the pandemic. And it was my way of saying thank you to the frontline workers who are keeping us healthy.”
Dr. Sarah Hasan, who is helping lead vaccine trials in Houston, said the teens who sign up for the trials are determined to be informed consumers.
“Usually adults will skim the form, ask a few questions and they’re done. But kids ask way more questions than adults and they’re actually listening, which is pretty nice,” she said.
The Homeowner Who Let A Family Of Bears Reunite In Their Basement
A homeowner in Tennessee became the center of a bear rescue operation, when the state wildlife agencies tried to rescue a mama bear and her three cubs that were discovered after a gas leak at the home. The mama bear took off amid the commotion, leaving the wildlife agency to rescue the cubs, according to Fox News.
But when the mama bear unexpectedly returned looking for her litter, the homeowner stepped up to keep the family together, allowing the whole group of bears to return to their den beneath the home. Knowing that the mama bear was in the den already, the wildlife agency brought the cubs back, and mama eagerly greeted them.
The Family 53 Years In The Making
When Karen Vinar was just 15, she was in love with her boyfriend Denny. They used to walk home from school together and celebrate Denny’s victories on the football field. But when Karen got pregnant, her family sent her to a home for unwed mothers and forbade the couple from being together, even after Denny proposed, they told CBS Minnesota.
After 53 years apart, Denny found Karen online. They started talking, and then got together in person. Less than two days later they married. But there was still something missing — the daughter they had placed for adoption half a decade before.
“One day he said, Karen it took me this long to find you. My life would be complete if we could find our daughter,” Karen recalled.
Two years after Karen and Denny reunited, they met their daughter, Jean. Now, the family is making up for lost time.
“The love we have for each other is second to none. Today, even today, it’s unbelievable,” Denny said. “We still dance in the kitchen and we always will.”
The Dad Who Fought For Custody of His Daughter
Christopher Emanuel always wanted to be a dad, but when his girlfriend placed their daughter for adoption without Emanuel’s consent, he worried he would never see his child again. He registered with the state so that he would be notified of any adoption plans made by his girlfriend, but still the state allowed an adoption to move forward, meaning that Emanuel had to fight for custody of his own daughter.
About six years after his daughter was born, that fight paid off, when a judge awarded Emanuel sole custody.
“I always said I wanted to be a great dad,” he said. Now, he’s helping other dads maintain their parenting rights through his Sky Is The Limit Foundation.
What news stories are putting a smile on your face this week? Tell us here.
