We're thankful we can share these kinds of stories
"Nothing travels faster than light, with the possible exception of bad news, which follows its own rules," says Douglas Adams in one of his many books in the "Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy" trilogy. And I suppose one need only follow the comments to stories on www.dailyherald.com to see this maxim at play. Sometimes it seems that stories about crime or disaster attract commentary and conversation barely after they're posted, while stories about humanity and humility stir conversation slowly.
But good news is always there, and, like the pleasant chords that hold together an atonal symphony, ought not to be overlooked. As a Thanksgiving reminder, here are just a few items you should have noticed recently among the stories of mayhem, crime and political shenanigans that often attract more attention:
Speaking of humility, offensive tackle Jacob Kehl had some insightful words Tuesday about what it will take for Wheaton's St. Francis High School to defeat favored Metamora this weekend in the IHSA Class 5A state championship football game. "We have to cut down on distractions, focus on not getting arrogant and remember why we're here," Kehl said in a story reported by staff writer Elisabeth Mistretta.
The constant, ever-more-dire stories of economic woe facing the suburbs and the nation these days can sometimes feel almost depressing. But amid the statistics of growing pressures on food pantries and social services agencies Marni Pyke collected this week came this demonstration of the better part of human nature: Despite the additional difficulties all families are facing, individual charity remains high at many organizations.
Says Marilyn Mack, president of the Friend I Shall Help Pantry in Carpentersville, "People who haven't given in the past are becoming more aware."
While we're on the economy, it's hard not to have your spirits lifted by seeing not only how Melanie and Steven Fugate - the Carol Stream couple first profiled by Anna Marie Kukec in our 2007 series on foreclosures - have weathered financial crisis, but also the outpouring of public concern that helped them. The couple now says the experience may have been one of the best things to happen. "We're so thankful for everyone who came forward to help, and we credit God with all this," said Melanie.
Similarly, how could you not be inspired by Amy Boerema's story last week of how Mary Evans of Palatine overcame a financial and personal crisis of her own with the help of her church?
In matters extraterrestrial but still exciting, The Associated Press reminded us that the orbits of Jupiter and Venus bring the two planets and the moon into such proximity beginning tonight that we'll have a nice naked-eye display in the celestial skies through Monday. We won't get another such peek at this particular example of the rhythm of the heavens until 2052.
It was a bittersweet moment, but an important one all the same, that Eileen O. Daday described Saturday from Christian Liberty Academy in Arlington Heights. There, Mike Sherman retired - at 91 years old - after nearly 40 years of teaching, service and piano playing for students at the religious school. Such service, Sherman said, was "great therapy" for him and had some lessons for the rest of us. "I always had a feeling that I was helping (the children) - that if I taught them what the words meant, they'd remember them."
May such remembrances travel at least the speed of light into all our hearts this Thanksgiving Day.