There's a lot of bad in this world. A guy took a gun onto a college campus today and people died. I wish I could say that was the first time anything like this ever happened. But it isn't. People do bad things. That's nothing new.
But, and this is the important thing to remember: There are a lot of good people in the world, too. Sure, there are nice people and helpful people. But there are genuinely Good People out there. If you are lucky, you'll stumble across them when you need it most.
I'm having a tough time lately. It's hard to get excited about things right now. I have moments, yeah, but overall I feel very numb. Tonight, I was rushing through the grocery store trying to pick things up and get home early. Someone cut me off and stopped, and then another person on my left came to a stop, too. I was pinned. I was also very annoyed.
But in the middle of my annoyance, I glanced to my right, searching for a way out. There was a woman who had just asked a man, obviously a stranger, if he'd be willing to help her. She explained that she was legally blind and couldn't read the soup labels on the cans in front of her. She could see well enough to get around, of course, but she wanted to know if he would help her find the right soup. Right there, Zoey, in the middle of Walmart at 7pm on a Thursday, I saw a Good Person. That man agreed to help her, and then he proceeded to offer to help her with the rest of her list. I don't know if she said yes or no, though, because I was suddenly released from my impromptu prison and made my way to the check out. But I saw the look on her face and I can tell you that she nearly brought tears to my eyes.
Zoey, I hope you are a Good Person. I know you'll be kind. Your mom is one of the nicest people I know. Your dad would do just about anything for the people he loves. It's in your genes, but that doesn't mean it's natural. This world is going to try to scare you into thinking people are dangerous or bad. There are crooks, thieves, and Bad People lurking in lots of dark places. But there are also Good People in the world. So do me a favor, okay? Be a Good Person. Don't force it, but don't fight it.
And Zoey? If the news ever gets too bleak, turn it off. Find some flowers and take a good, long look at them. Watch a child laugh. Surround yourself with good things and leave good things in your wake.
Love always,
Aunt Laura
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