Happy Thanksgiving weekend! I hope everyone is rested and any family drama has cooled off to a manageable simmer. I am in beautiful Robbinsville, North Carolina, enjoying my very favorite thing in the world: Stillness. Well, that and a good fireplace. And trees. And the people I love of course. But mostly stillness. I wish you the same in this hectic, often emotionally draining season: A moment of stillness among the merry din of commercialism and grumpy children and too-loud dinner table talk and the never-ending litany of Things That Need to Be Done. It may seem impossible, but sometimes the only way to find peace is to create it ourselves.
If there's something you'd like to see here, drop us a line. Know someone who could use a little Good Stuff? Send them a copy! We hope you love it as much as we do.
|
|
|
Our favorites this week
Get going with some of our most popular good news stories of the week
|
One choice changed his life — and saved another's.
If you could do it over again, would you make the same choice?
“One and a thousand times more."
Those are words of true kindness. Those are the words Manuel Cordova said when reflecting on the heroic decision he made 16 years ago in the wilderness of southern Arizona. After crossing illegally into the US in search of a job that would pay him more than $100 a week, Cordova came across 9-year-old Chris Buchleitner, stranded and helpless on a mountain road after his mother's car crashed into a ravine with her trapped inside. Instead of fleeing to stay undiscovered, Cordova stayed with the boy for hours, building a fire and beckoning for help. While it likely saved the boy's life and earned him widespread admiration, the deed also had serious consequences. Cordova was deported and never tried to cross into the US again.
If there's one thing you do this weekend, I encourage you to read the full story of these two wildly different people whose meeting changed their lives in wildly different ways. It's a moving reminder that, in the face of imperfection, injustice and grief, acts of kindness are more complicated than they seem. The right choice may hurt. It may go unrewarded. Imagine having the strength to say you'd still do it again, one and a thousand times more.
Read the whole story here.
|
Some delicious Thanksgiving leftovers
OK, now that you have your main course for the weekend, enjoy some holiday leftovers — because everyone knows turkey tastes better two days later, mixed up with the other surplus fixins.
Here are some uniquely popular Thanksgiving dishes from each state
I can't name them all here but let's see if some of them check out:
- Washington, DC: Oyster stuffing (checks out)
- Georgia: Sweet potato souffle (checks out)
-
Maryland: Sweet potato pie (HEAR ME OUT Marylanders and any state south of that who just gasped in shock: Have you heard of a Maryland White Potato Pie? It's a real thing! So I'm gonna say this checks out!)
- Florida: Deep-fried turkey (given that it is both delicious and dangerous to make, this checks out too.)
Read the rest here and fight amongst yourselves.
See photos from the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade over the years
The only thing cooler than marveling at the massive Mickey Mouse from the 1940s, or the 1960s' chesty Superman is noticing how the skyline of New York City changes over time.
Take a trip down memory lane (aka 34th Street) here.
|
|
|
Sponsor Content by Curiosity Stream |
|
|
The Australasian crested grebe, which was just voted New Zealand’s Bird of the Century! The crested grebe, better known as the pūteketeke or the "puking" bird, charmed New Zealanders because, well, who wouldn't love a frilled, long-necked waterfowl with a vomit problem? The bird was also championed by comedian and talk show host John Oliver. “It began as an outside contender but was catapulted to the top spot thanks to its unique looks, adorable parenting style and propensity for puking,” wrote conservation charity Forest and Bird in a statement announcing the results.
Read the whole story here.
|
|
|
Making wigs is, without a doubt, an art form — one that professional wigmaker Helen Williams has taken to the very limit. The Nigerian artist spent 11 days making a record-breaking wig that measures 351.28 meters (1,152 feet, 5 inches) in length. The whole thing also took 1,000 bundles of hair, 12 cans of hair spray, 35 tubes of hair glue and 6,250 hair clips. Why go to such lengths? For the glory, of course! Guinness World Records honored her with the record for longest handmade wig.
Read the whole story here.
|
|
|
We are getting down to the final weeks of celebrating the Top 10 CNN Heroes of 2023! We have four more stories of Heroes to reconnect with before the CNN Hero of the Year is named in December, so make sure to read and vote and vote again! This week, we're highlighting Estefanía Rebellón and Osei Boateng.
Estefanía Rebellón knows firsthand the pain and fear of being a migrant child after her family was forced to flee Colombia. Now, through her nonprofit, Yes We Can World Foundation, she provides education for children living in limbo in shelters at the US-Mexico border. Read Estefanía's story here.
Osei Boateng grew up in rural Ghana where health care is hard to come by. After studying biology in the US, he converted a van into a mobile doctor’s office and drove health care directly to those in need. The OKB Hope Foundation also trains volunteers and provides health education. Read Osei's story here.
Remember to vote for your favorite CNN Heroes here, and then share your vote on social media to encourage others to join in!
|
|
|
There are only four kinds of people in this world: those who have been caregivers, those who are currently caregivers, those who will be caregivers and those who will need caregivers.
— Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, who passed away last week at 96. Carter was a champion for several underrepresented facets of health care, including the destigmatization of mental health problems. The Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers was founded in 1987 in Georgia.
|
|
|
Rec of the week
Brought to you by CNN Underscored
|
30 of the absolute best gifts we’ve ever given and received
If you're looking for gift-giving inspiration, look no further than these 30 gifts our Underscored editors are huge fans. From coffee to candles and sheets, shop our favorites starting at $9.
|
|
|
Shameless animal video
There's always time for cute animal videos. That time is now.
|
This moment of possum perfection comes from a channel called "Possum Trough ASMR." What else could you want? (Click here to view) |
|
|
A newsletter for the good in life |
|
|
Sponsor Content by LendingTree
|
Earn three miles for $1 spent in your first year with this card
If you are looking to earn a big travel sign-up bonus, this card delivers the biggest return on all your spending. This card is hard to beat.
|
|
|
|
