Every time we try to catch up on the news, negative stories constantly seem to dominate the headlines. There’s a reason why we say some things “restore our faith in humanity” – it’s because we rarely get exposed to the wealth of good things happening around us everyday.
That’s why every week, we bring you a roundup of some of the good things that happened around the world to help brighten your day.
Here are nine positive things that happened last week that you should know about (in no particular order):
1. World’s oldest person credits her long life to being single
Italy’s Emma Morano greeted with a smile the news that she, at 116, is now the oldest person in the world. https://t.co/lqN95aNLik
— The Associated Press (@AP) May 13, 2016
At 116-years-old, Italy’s Emma Morano has become the world’s oldest woman. Born on November 29, 1899, Morano has lived through three centuries. She credits her longevity to eating three raw eggs a day and being single.
- Read more on TIME
2. Nurse plans wedding for Stage 4 Cancer patient
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Destini Schafer and her fiancee, Brandon Thomas, were excited to tie the knot in Jamaica. But last month, Schafer’s wedding plans came to a halt as she was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. She has spent the past several weeks in the hospital, receiving treatment. Nurse Ashley Shipley-Lovecamp learned about Schafer’s wedding plans. She decided to take matters into her own hands and organize a surprise wedding for the couple.
Schafer and Thomas were married in the hospital garden in front of their friends and family. “I wanted Destini to be able to have a wedding because we didn’t know how much longer she was going to have. I wanted her to be happy and focusing on something other than her diagnosis,” Shipley-Lovecamp told ABC News.
- Read more on ABC
3. Heroic dog saves girl from rattlesnake
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Hause the German shepherd is one brave dog. The pup jumped into action when a poisonous rattlesnake appeared in the backyard of his owners. Seven-year-old Molly was playing and the snake tried to bite her. Hause protected Molly by standing in front of the snake. The dog took three bites to the leg and as a result, his kidneys were damaged by the venom. Hause is now recovering at a veterinary hospital in Florida. A GoFundMe page has been set up for Hause, to help the family raise money for the dog’s medical fees.
- Read more on People
4. Police officer calms student contemplating suicide
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Officer Tim Purdy of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department is being commended for his calming and caring approach with a student contemplating suicide. The student was found sitting alone, seriously considering taking his own life. Purdy calmly approached the student and built a connection with him. A picture of Purdy helping the student was posted on social media and has since gone viral.
“Officer Purdy established trust and a relationship that allowed officers to get this young man the help that he so desperately needed,” the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, stated in a Facebook post.
- Read more on The Charlotte Observer
5. Custodian receives degree from college he cleaned
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Michael Vaudreuil worked as a janitor at the Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Massachusetts for nearly a decade. But last week, he crossed the stage as a graduate of the school. The 54-year-old received his degree in mechanical engineering. He began working at the school in 2007 after his plastering company went out of business. The university offered tuition-free classes to employees and Vaudreuil enrolled and found his passion for mechanical engineering. The recent grad is now looking to leave his custodian job behind and find a career in his field of study.
- Read more on Fox2Now
6. Waiter’s kind actions caught on camera
Photo of Texas Roadhouse server helping woman cut her food goes viral #FOX59Morning https://t.co/3u3pC36MBR pic.twitter.com/wcw9zGz5lJ
— FOX59 News (@FOX59) May 16, 2016
Amanda Bischoff was eating at an Indiana restaurant when she noticed a waiter’s selfless kindness towards another customer. The waiter took a break from what he was doing to help an elderly diner eat her meal because her hands were shaking. Bischoff caught the special moment on camera and the picture has since gone viral on social media.
- Read more on IndyStar
7. Dominos’ staff save loyal customer’s life
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Kirk Alexander orders a meal from the Domino’s Pizza in Salem,Oregon, everyday. But when Alexander did not make a call to the shop in nearly two weeks, staff started to worry. Delivery driver Tracey Hamblen was sent to Alexander’s home to check on him. She knocked on the door but he did not answer. Hamblen reported back to the pizza shop’s assistant manager, Jenny Seiber, who called 911. Officers found Alexander unresponsive in his home. They said he was suffering from a medical condition that could have killed him if the Domino’s staff members did check up on their best customer.
- Read more on The Daily Mail
8. Toddler with Autism meets Snow White and adores her
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Two-year-old Jackson Coley visited Disney World last November and he was overcome with joy when he met Snow White. Jackson has nonverbal autism and is usually very shy. But when he saw Snow White, he was all smiles. The moment was caught on video and has recently gone viral. Jackson still rewatches the tape to relive the special moment over and over again.
- Read more on Today
9. Cat survives Fort McMurray fire by hiding in oven
‘There’s the little frigger’: Best place for cat to hide from Fort Mac fire? Inside a stove https://t.co/bjgwDkI1BN pic.twitter.com/zYP9apqAHQ
— National Post (@nationalpost) May 14, 2016
Tux the cat is lucky to be alive. The feline survived the Fort McMurray fire by hiding in his owner, Jody Lishchynsky’s, oven. Lishchynsky fled her home in less than 15 minutes because the fire was engulfing her neighbourhood. Tux was left behind but firefighters found him safe and sound in the oven. The cat has been reuinted with Lishchynsky and she is grateful to have her beloved pet back.
- Read more on The National Post