"Smell the sea and feel the sky. Let your soul and spirit fly." --Van Morrison, "Into the Mystic"
THE GOOD NEWS
A family formed in a "sliding doors" moment
Nearly 25 years ago, a man was on his way home from work when he noticed something strange on the ground of a Manhattan subway station. It looked like a doll, but turned out to be a 7-lb. newborn.
Danny Stewart ran down the stairs to make sure the child was okay. The baby boy was wrapped up in a dark sweatshirt, and the umbilical cord was still attached. Then, Stewart sprinted to a payphone and made two calls: one to 911 and one to his partner, Pete Mercurio.
"I've found a baby," Stewart said.
By the time Mercurio arrived at the station, the police were taking the baby to the hospital for help. And when no one claimed the child six weeks later, a family court judge asked Stewart if he would like to adopt him. Once the shock wore off -- and all the pros and cons were thoroughly debated with Mercurio -- the couple decided to go for it.
In a stroke of serendipity, Stewart and Mercurio were allowed to take the child home right before Christmas. They named him Kevin, and he became their son. Mercurio has chronicled their story in a picture book ("Our Subway Baby") and a memoir (“There: We Found Our Family in a New York City Subway Station"). Their unique tale has also been adapted into a new animated short film called "18 Months."
After the state of New York legalized gay marriage in 2011, Stewart and Mercurio decided to wed. The official who performed the ceremony? The same judge who gave them a son.
New York's famous subway baby grew up in a loving family. He attended the NYC Lab School for Collaborative Studies and graduated from Swarthmore College after studying computer science and mathematics. Kevin is now 25, living in Pittsburgh and working as a website developer.
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An elephant never forgets
A wild bull elephant was shot in the front leg joint with an arrow in 2023. Despite being wounded by humans, he "calmly" approached the Ithumba stockade in Tsavo East National Park, Kenya. Wildlife officials soon realized the elephant was asking for help.
The head keeper called the Tsavo Mobile Vet Unit for assistance, and a team of veterinarians saved the animal's life (apparently, such joint injuries can be fatal in elephants). When the treatment was complete, the elephant got to his feet and walked back into the wilderness.
But that's not the end of the tale!
Since then, the wild elephant has repeatedly returned to the stockade. Officials with the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust believe he's just saying hello and showing his appreciation for their help.
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Be a superhero. Adopt a pet - for free!
A SPECIAL DAY TO CELEBRATE
I’d like to create an official "fun" holiday, just like the ones listed in each issue of this newsletter. The holiday would be dedicated to sharing good news and spreading a message of positivity. But, I need your help:
1) IDEAS SOUGHT: Have any thoughts on how to celebrate National Good News Day? Should we offer swag (coffee mugs, notebooks, T-shirts, etc.)? Perhaps give an award to other good news sites? Ideas, dear readers. Send ‘em in:
2) WE GOTTA GROW: Help me to build the readership of A Bit of Good News.
If you already subscribe to the free version of this newsletter, consider upgrading to the paid version. Subscriptions are only $5/month, or $50/year. Everyone who purchases a subscription will be automatically entered into a monthly giveaway for books, gift certificates and other prizes.
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If, like me, you believe there’s still good in the world, consider promoting A Bit of Good News on your socials. You can find a free image to do so here.
Once this newsletter reaches 1,000 paid subscribers, I'll create a holiday for us to celebrate. So, spread the word, Good Newsers. Let's make a day of it!
THIS WEEK’S POLL
PREVIOUS POLL
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
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THIS WEEK IN (POSITIVE) HISTORY
On July 9, 1947, Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower appointed Florence A. Blanchfield as a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army. She was the first woman in U.S. history to hold a permanent military rank.
On July 10, 1962, Telstar 1, the first communications satellite to transmit live TV signals and telephone conversations across the Atlantic Ocean, was launched.
On July 11, 1960, Harper Lee's Pulitzer Prize-winning book, "To Kill a Mockingbird," was published.
On July 12, 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower presented his plan for an interstate highway system.
On July 13, 1923, the Hollywood sign was dedicated in the Hollywood Hills. The 50-foot-tall letters originally spelled out "HOLLYWOODLAND." The last four letters were dropped in 1949.
On July 14, 2015, scientists from the Large Hadron Collider announced the discovery of a new particle called the pentaquark.
On July 15, 1988, the action film "Die Hard” starring Bruce Willis premiered.
On July 16, 1965, the Mont Blanc Tunnel, which links France and Italy, officially opened. At the time, it was the world's longest vehicular tunnel, spanning 7.3 miles.
THIS WEEK’S FUN HOLIDAYS
July 9 is National Dimples Day, National Sugar Cookie Day and Cow Appreciation Day
July 10 is Global Energy Independence Day, National Kitten Day, National Piña Colada Day, Clerihew Day, Pick Blueberries Day and Teddy Bears' Picnic Day
July 11 is International Essential Oils Day, World Population Day, National 7-Eleven Day, National Blueberry Muffin Day, National State Fair Food Day, National Swimming Pool Day, All-American Pet Photo Day, Cheer Up the Lonely Day and Make Your Own Sundae Day
July 12 is World Kebab Day, National Different Colored Eyes Day, National Eat Your Jello Day, National French Fry Day, National Motorcycle Day, National Pecan Pie Day, National Simplicity Day, Etch-A-Sketch Day and Paper Bag Day
July 13 is International Skinny Dip Day, National Barbershop Music Appreciation Day, National Beans 'n Franks Day, National Nitrogen Ice Cream Day, National Rock Day, Embrace Your Geekness Day and Rubik's Cube Day
July 14 is National Be Nice to Bugs Day, National Mac and Cheese Day, National Nude Day, Barn Day and Shark Awareness Day
July 15 is National Give Something Away Day, National Gummi Worm Day, National I Love Horses Day, National Pet Fire Safety Day, National Tapioca Pudding Day, Orange Chicken Day and Social Media Giving Day
July 16 is World Snake Day, National Cherry Day, National Corn Fritters Day, National Personal Chef Day, Fresh Spinach Day and Guinea Pig Appreciation Day
HOW TO SPREAD JOY/KINDNESS
* Have a special skill? Teach someone how to do it.
* Hide a bunch of encouraging notes or dollars inside books at the library
* Take part in a cheering team during a local charity race. Create funny signs and make some noise as participants pass by.
RECOMMENDED SUBSTACK
MOMENT OF GRATITUDE
Thanks to Blogging Guide, Unsplash, Danny Stewart, Instagram, Peter Mercurio, Second Nurture, CBS Mornings, New York Post, Jen King, the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, Facebook, the Miami Herald, Courtney Mroch, the Best Friends Animal Society, Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation, History.com, This Day in History, Britannica, Time and Date, On This Day, the Library of Congress, IMDb, This Day in Music, National Today, National Day Calendar, Holidays Calendar, CBS Sunday Morning, The Written Word, "Simple Acts to Change the World: 500 Ways to Make a Difference" by Amy Neumann, Oldster Magazine, Emily Charlotte Powell, While I Was Drawing, Counting Beans, Canva and Deposit Photos for art and story suggestions.
KEEP IN TOUCH
Read a positive/uplifting news story lately? Have an inspiring quote you want to share? Or do you just want to let me know about some of your favorite simple pleasures?
National Fresh Spinach Day! Yay!!
Beautiful stories of kindness - so uplifting!