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Uplifting News

Single Mom's Car is Repossessed With Her Newborn Inside - One Lawyer Takes Her Side

Single mom of two, Sabriya Miles, was dropping her four-year-old son off at daycare when she made the split-second decision to leave her seven-day-old baby in the car (with it still running).It's a decision she would quickly regret.Seconds later, the horrified mom would watch as a repo man sped away in the car — her baby still in the backseat.And while plenty of people have been quick to criticize the young mom's actions, one stranger has jumped to her defense.

Stranger Approaches Woman in a Store - Hands Her Something That Completely Shocks Her
Uplifting News

Stranger Approaches Woman in a Store - Hands Her Something That Completely Shocks Her

Hard times can fall on anyone, no matter how hard they work or how much they’ve sacrificed. We never know when an injury, illness, or unexpected expense can suddenly change our lives. That’s why, no matter what kind of situation we find ourselves in, we should always try and help others.One woman reminded the world of this recently when she went out of her way to help a stranger despite being in a tough situation herself. Not only did the woman warm hearts around the world, but she inspired them to give back, too.A Routine Shopping TripA woman named Dina was at a department store one day grabbing a few items when a stranger approached her. He apologized for interrupting her but explained that he was starting a job at a restaurant in a few days and he needed to purchase a specific pair of shoes. But, he had no money and needed help paying for them.Dina asked the man how much the shoes were and said she had a couple of extra dollars on her. She then reached into her wallet, pulled out the few bills she had, and handed them over.The man introduced himself as Jimmy and asked Dina what she did. “I was in nursing for 31 years,” she said, adding her favorite part of the job was when her patients were able to be discharged and finally go home to their loved ones.The Ultimate SurpriseJust as Dina was about to continue her shopping trip, Jimmy handed her the shoes.“What if I told you these shoes were for you?” he asked, handing them over. At first, Dina looked confused, but then Jimmy revealed the big surprise: There was $500 stuffed inside.“Are you serious?” she responded, a look of awe on her face.“Yes, because you were being awesome to a stranger. I don’t need your help, I just wanted to bless you today,” he explained. “You’re a sweetheart. Is this going to help?”Dina explained that her car needed repairs, and her husband had hurt his back. They weren’t sure how they were going to fix it, so the money was a huge blessing.“I carpooled with one of our neighbors,” Dina said. “It’s hard being 60 and being on a fixed income.”Inspiring a CommunityDina didn’t realize the Jimmy she was speaking with was social media celebrity Jimmy Darts, who is known for making a positive impact in communities and spreading joy through random acts of kindness. He was so touched by Dina that he decided to start a GoFundMe for her.As her story spread, more people responded to the kind lady who was willing to give a stranger a few extra dollars even though she didn’t have much herself. Before long, Jimmy had raised more than $21,000 for her.He later surprised her with the news and captured her reaction in the video.“Are you serious? Are you serious?” she said. “Oh, you don’t know… I might be able to get a new jacket. Who are these people?” she added, fighting back tears.We’re All in This TogetherDina’s story reminds us that no matter where we are in life, it’s always important to help each other out. We never really know what someone else is going through, so helping when we can and leading with kindness is always a good idea. Sometimes, there’s someone who needs our help more.So donate a few extra bucks to a charity the next time you’re prompted at a checkout. Or bring over a little treat to a neighbor or friend. If someone looks like they’re having a rough day at a coffee line, maybe grab their tab. Or, if someone you know is struggling, ask yourself what you can do to help.At the end of the day we all go through hard things, but it’s the small acts that can make a big difference in our lives. Remembering that we’re all in this together and that everyone deserves kindness will only result in a happier place for everyone.More from Goalcast:Poor Student With “Nothing to Give” Surprises Teacher With an Unforgettable Christmas GiftSingle Mom Gives Stranger $7 for Christmas – Then, He Leads Her to the Parking Lot Where His “Special Friend” Was WaitingHomeless Man Tells Stranger It’s His Daughter’s Birthday – Instead of Walking Away, He Helps Plan a Surprise Party

Woman Finds a Note Left by a Stranger on a Train - And It May Have Saved Her Life
Uplifting News

Woman Finds a Note Left by a Stranger on a Train - And It May Have Saved Her Life

*Featured image contains photo by Genine Alyssa Pedreno-Andrada and hermaionLiving with mental illness is no joke. Every day can be a battle and sometimes it's all a person can do to make it through another day.No one knows this struggle more than Tiktoker, Lauren (@3angelfac3), who has borderline personality disorder (BPD).Some days are significantly worse than others and on one particularly bad day, Lauren was hitting rock bottom. That is, until she discovered a sticky note left by a random stranger. Written on it were seven simple words. To someone else, they may have just been words. To Lauren, they were a lifeline. The Simple Note a Stranger Left BehindAccording to the Mayo Clinic, individuals with BPD often struggle with regulating their emotions, leading to intense and fluctuating feelings that can last for hours or days. Additionally, research has found that approximately 75% of people with BPD will make at least one suicide attempt in their lifetime, and many will make multiple suicide attempts.In a now-viral Tiktok with over 725,000 views, Lauren shares that she was experiencing a "really bad BPD episode" when she boarded a train at Manchester Oxford Road Station in the U.K. Accompanied by the sobering soundbite of Billie Eilish telling Gayle King, "I don't want to be dark, but I genuinely didn't think I'd make it to 17," Lauren explains that she discovered the yellow Post-It when she opened up a fold-out table. Emblazoned across it were the words, "Be somebody nobody thought you could be," followed by a happy face.A twist on the quote by motivational guru, Tony Robbins, "Become someone nobody thought you could be - EVEN YOU!!" the words may be simple, but their impact was not. "When I unfolded the table to put my drink on it, the note instantly put a smile on my face," Lauren said.The words were exactly what she needed at that time.The Post-it Note Left a Permanent ImpressionNot only did the inspiring message put a smile on her face, but it made a lasting impression — literally. Lauren had it turned into a tattoo — a permanent reminder she'll carry with her forever. Nearly a year after discovering the note, she's still on a mission to find the person who wrote it so she can thank them. She posted about it on TikTok in the hopes that it will finally reach the stranger who made such a huge impact with something so small."Whoever and wherever you are, thank you. I needed to hear it. Your act of kindness meant so much to me. It's with me forever now."Lauren via TikTokPaying It ForwardThe act of kindness made such a profound impact that Lauren started leaving her own inspiring messages in random places. Calling her kindness initiative, the Safe Space, she creates small parcels containing a bouquet of paper roses and her own message of hope:"You deserve the love you keep trying to give everyone else." "I wanted to continue its legacy by leaving my own parcels in random locations for random people to find," she captioned in a follow-up TikTok. She leaves them on park benches, in building alcoves, and yes, even on trains. For now, the stranger who left the note remains a mystery. And whoever it was likely has no idea of the impact their small random act of kindness made on Lauren. But it just goes to show, that words? Really do have power. And while too many times it's the negative ones that affect us the most, positive words can wield just as much power. Sometimes even more. More from Goalcast:Proud Military Mom Leaves Work for the Day – Finds a Note From a Stranger That Brings Her to TearsWoman Wakes Up to Husband’s Dirty Dishes in the Sink – Instead of Cleaning Up, He Left Her a Note With 3 WordsMan Sees a Couple Staring at Him and His Son at Cracker Barrel – He Finds Out Why in the Note They Give Him

Woman Takes Brother With Autism to McDonalds - One Employees Behavior Towards Him Goes Viral
Uplifting News

Woman Takes Brother With Autism to McDonalds - One Employees Behavior Towards Him Goes Viral

Sometimes it’s the small things in life that make a big difference. You never really know what someone else is going through, so when you lead with kindness and try to spread happiness in your corner of the world, it can impact others in a way you didn’t even think was possible. That’s what happened when a McDonald’s employee served a boy with autism and his sister one day, and went the extra mile to ensure the boy had a good experience. The next thing the server knew, he was flooded with praise. A Special Visit One day a woman named Katie Deyes took her 16-year-old autistic brother, Alex, to eat at the McDonald’s in their neighborhood of North Wales, UK. It turned out Alex had been there the day before with his caregiver, and the young man at the counter, Aled, recognized him. “The carer told us how Aled had encouraged Alex to order his own food and find the right money to hand over without rushing him,” Deyes wrote in a Facebook post. She then explained that during her visit, Aled remembered that her brother didn’t drink his fruit shoot out of the bottle, so he gave him an empty cup. He also came over to the table and offered to swap out the Happy Meal toy, since Alex had received the same one the day before. “My brother loves collecting these toys, so getting an extra, new one was really exciting for him,” she continued. When Deyes and her brother had finished eating, Aled also took time to say goodbye, which went a long way with Alex. A Lasting Impression The whole visit was a success, which meant a lot to Deyes. She explained in the post how taking Alex out could be a difficult task and the family usually opted for the drive-through as a result. Because of the service Aled had provided this time, however, the family had an exceptional time. “He was feeling really happy and has asked if we can go back again to sit in and I believe that’s because Aled was so friendly towards him! I know Alex, myself and all of his family and [his] carer really appreciate how he was treated and looked after,” she wrote. “Aled made it fun and easy for us both to go in and for Alex to enjoy his meal without any funny looks or comments. Aled is a credit to the McDonald's team (and McDonald's as a whole), and I felt he deserved a mention and massive thank you,” she continued. The post quickly went viral and even McDonald’s took note. “We are delighted with the consideration and thoughtfulness Aled has shown to Katie and her brother Alex,” a spokesperson told the Mirror. Walking in Someone Else’s Shoes When you have a family member or friend with autism, things other people take for granted can be challenging and difficult. That’s why it means so much when you try to do something routine, like going out for a meal, and are met with patience and kindness by the people providing the service. It’s a nice reminder that we never really know what someone else’s experience is, but by trying to put ourselves in their shoes and treat them the way we want to be treated, we can do our part to make our corner of the world a better place. You never know how much that kindness may mean to a person or how it can make their corner of the world a better place, too. More from Goalcast: Little Girl With Autism Tries to Blow Out Stranger’s Birthday Candles — His Reaction Goes Viral 8-Year-Old With Autism Has Hard Moment at School – Principal Does Something Shocking That Goes Viral Little Boy With Autism Fails Test – So His Teacher Writes Him a Letter That “Broke” His Mom

Stranger Pays Mans $110 Bill After He Forgets His Wallet - Leaves 3 Words on His Receipt and Disappears
Uplifting News

Stranger Pays Mans $110 Bill After He Forgets His Wallet - Leaves 3 Words on His Receipt and Disappears

It’s happened to all of us: you’ve loaded up your shopping cart or ordered a service, only to reach for your wallet and realize that it’s not there. It can be an embarrassing and anxiety-inducing scenario, one that sets the tone for the day.A man faced a similar situation one day when he couldn’t remember his new PIN at a gas station. But when a stranger stepped in to help, he did more than save this man’s day.A Routine Gas Station StopOne morning, bright and early, a man named Tyson Crawley pulled up to a service station. He filled his truck with diesel and topped up his jerrycan with petrol. Then he entered the station and ordered a couple of iced coffees. When he went to pay, things went sideways.Crawley had transferred all his money to a new bank account the night before and realized he didn’t have his new bank card on him. He tried to pay from a joint account but, for the life of him, could not remember the PIN.“After searching through my iPhone bank app to figure out how to reset my PIN I had failed,” Crawley recalled in a Facebook post. “My dog was barking wildly, I had to get to work, and I was starting to freak.”A Surprise GestureAs Crawley began panicking, a man who had purchased a coffee right before him and exited the store witnessed the ordeal. He came back inside.“Do you need some money?” he asked.Crawley said no, that he just couldn’t remember his code, and it was okay. The man said it was fine, and then walked around to the register. When Crawley realized what he was doing, he insisted it was okay; he had the money but just needed to figure out his PIN.“It’s a free country, isn’t it?” the stranger asked. “I can help a brother out, can’t I?”Crawley was stunned. The bill was $110, but eventually, he accepted the kind man’s help. He then passed him the receipt and asked him to write down his number so that he could contact him and pay him back immediately.Another Unexpected TwistThe attendant, whom Crawley said was just as stunned as he was, passed the man a pen. The stranger wrote on it, folded it down, and handed it to Crawley. Crawley was so overwhelmed and grateful that he insisted they take a photo together. Then the man left. “I turned around to the attendant and she said, ‘Well that doesn’t happen every day,’” Crawley recalled. “I turned around to leave, and he was gone, literally gone. I went outside and could not see him anywhere.”It was then that Crawley opened the receipt to look at the number and he received another shock. Instead of a phone number, the man had written down his name along with three game-changing words.“John. Pass it on.”Paying It ForwardCrawley wrapped his Facebook post with an important reminder.“Please be beautiful people, and remember it's not about keeping up with the joneses, having the biggest house, most expensive car, the largest bank account, but work with each other, after all, what is money compared to the quality of human life?” he wrote.Money comes and goes, but who we are as people and how we interact with one another is the essence of our being. Helping each other out when times are tough, even when we don’t know the person, is what makes us human, and what can make this life so beautiful.So the next time you’re in a position to pay it forward, why not? Go ahead and buy that coffee for the person behind you. Pay that parking meter that’s about to expire for a total stranger. Donate toys to a toy drive, leave a super generous tip, or give a secret gift.At the end of the day, it’s how we show up for each other and help one another out that matters. Everything else is just extra.More from Goalcast:Single Mom Gives Stranger $7 for Christmas – Then, He Leads Her to the Parking Lot Where His “Special Friend” Was WaitingStranger Shows Up at Woman’s House in the Middle of the Night – Her Doorbell Camera Catches the Entire ExchangeStranger Gives Woman Advice About Her Toxic Relationship – Receives an Unexpected Email From Her 6 Years Later

Mom Has Controversial Response After Mean Girls Bullied Her Daughter Over $10 Water Bottle From Walmart
Uplifting News

Mom Has Controversial Response After Mean Girls Bullied Her Daughter Over $10 Water Bottle From Walmart

When Dayna Motycka's daughter faced bullying over a $10 Walmart water bottle instead of the pricier $45 Stanley, Dayna shared her frustration on TikTok. The video sparked a heated debate about societal values and parenting. Despite Dayna acknowledging her privilege, the question lingers: Is fitting in by buying the expensive bottle the right solution?Her Daughter Was Bullied for Shopping at WalmartFor Christmas, all the other girls in her class had gotten brand label "Stanley Quencher" water bottles. The trendy mug is all the rage and retails for upwards of $45. When Dayna's daughter returned home from school after the winter break, she was devastated to learn her little girl had been bullied for buying her bottle at a discount store.This Ohio mom wasted no time. She took to TikTok to share with her followers the "short and sweet" lesson she learned — and audiences were divided.In the video Dayna holds up the $10 Walmart tumbler in question:"This is the cup we got our daughter for Christmas. This isn't the Stanley. This is a $9.98 Walmart Cup that she said she thought was cute."Even though there isn't a noticeable difference in quality — especially for a young girl — it didn't stop the kids from calling her daughter a "fake."“And they made sure to let her know that this is not a real Stanley, that this is fake, and it’s not as cool.”Dayna MotyckaThe Shocking Part? Her Daughter Is Only 9 Years Old!At such a young age, these kids are already tuned into putting others down for displaying signs of being in a "lower" class. But Dayna doesn't necessarily blame the kids for not knowing any better — it's the parents she has a reminder for.The mother believes this sort of bullying starts at home with the parents. “This doesn’t start with the kids. This starts with us, with parents, with moms. What are we teaching our kids?” Her message was clear: What are we teaching our children about the importance of labels?It’s About Time to Break the CycleDayna's simple story grabbed the attention of TikTokers everywhere. Her video quickly received nearly 4 million views and over 18,000 comments. “You’d better believe that if our nine-year-old daughter came home and, somehow, we found out that she had made fun of another girl at school for not having something name-brand… we would be calling the family," Dayna shared. "We would be making her write a note to apologize, we would make her apologize in person because that’s not what we do in this household.”One commentator was quick to draw the parallels between past and present...and her sentiment hit home for many:"The girls who made fun of others in the 2000s for not having Uggs/Abercrombie are the moms of the girls making fun of others for not having Stanleys."@_stephanie_v_Her “Quick Fix” Only Made Matters WorseDayna ended the video with admitting that even though she knew better, she ultimately decided to get her daughter the Stanley mug so she could fit in with the other girls. Her response drew a mix of some positive praise and some raised eyebrows from users who were unclear as to what her message was.Is It Fair for Her to Say One Thing — Then Do Another?In her video, Dayna is quick to acknowledge her privilege. She discloses to her viewers that yes, she has a one Stanley Tumbler for herself and that yes, she can afford to buy her daughter the pricey water bottle as well — but that's not the point.On one hand its important that Dayna is contributing to the conversation and grabbing headlines with her wise words on the subject matter.But on the other hand, it's important to remember that there are plenty of parents who aren't in Dayna's position and wouldn't be able to afford buying the $45 bottle. So what is the solution for them?It Starts With you…so You Decide!While is totally relatable that Dayna caved to the pressure and got her daughter the trendy water bottle to "stop the bleeding" (so to speak), making the immediate problem go away is just a temporary solution — and in some cases can even make matters worse.The long con is helping her daughter build up her confidence and sense of self, so in the future, those kinds of comments won't get her down. But the hope for tomorrow doesn't have to be the reality for today!Every day we face new situations and there's rarely one right or wrong answer. The fact of the matter is, we don't need to die on every hill. For some of us, that can be a really hard lesson to learn. Ultimately, it's OK for Dayna to share her frustrations with her daughter's experience of bullying and then still try and put an end to that bullying by helping her fit in. There's times to fit in and times to stand out.For this mom, she weighed the pros and cons and cut her losses. Despite certain convictions we may have...we should always work to judge others less. Take the good, leave the bad, and just try to do the next right thing.And if that's not enough, there's always this Reddit mom, who's fighting the system!More from Goalcast:

Masked Stranger Slips Out After Playing a Piano With DO NOT PLAY Sign - Antique Store Owner Tracks Him Down
Uplifting News

Masked Stranger Slips Out After Playing a Piano With DO NOT PLAY Sign - Antique Store Owner Tracks Him Down

Antique stores can have a reputation for being stuffy stores with uptight owners. "Don't touch that" or "you break it, you buy it!"Well, one Massachusetts antique store owner is adding his own spin to that narrative.He vowed to track down a mystery man after he ignored a "DO NOT PLAY" sign and gave the whole store a shocking and unsolicited performance!His Simple Impromptu Performance Shook the RoomIt was a seemingly regular day at ReMARKable Cleanouts when shop owner, Mark Waters heard the familiar beat of Journey's iconic Don't Stop Believin' play throughout the store. "He started playing and the place lit up!"Mark Waters, OwnerThe special antique piece specifically had a "DO NOT PLAY" sign displayed on the top of instrument. Waters, who runs the family-owned business knew the piano was delicate and had the potential to be damaged by un-serious customers.But when the mysterious young man — who would later be identified as John Thomas Archer — asked one of the shop girls if he could play a song on the piano and she gave him a shot (and he totally scored)!Customers were so impressed by the play-by-ear performance, one person even managed to get the whole thing on camera. Watch The Mystery Piano Player's Performance Below:Even though the crowd went wild (or as wild as you can go, when you're in an antique store), the young man didn't stay for an encore. He quietly packed up and slipped out the door before store owner Mark Waters could get his contact information.Thankfully, the third-party footage would be key in tracking him down, which is just what this antique store owner planned to do.The Search for the Mystery Piano PlayerReMARKable Cleanouts/FacebookWith virtually no leads, Waters did the only thing he could think to do. He turned to his local community for help — and the internet did not disappoint!He quickly posted the video of the mystery player on his Facebook page. He asked if anyone could help identify the young masked man. He had a special surprise for him!The mystery piano player was found by Julie McDonald at WBZ Channel 4 who interviewed him on the newscast three days later!He Taught Himself How to Play-By-EarCredit: Renee ThomasThe mystery piano player was identified as 23-year-old college student, John Thomas Archer.The Northeastern University student told WBZ he saw the clip of himself playing on a local news station. Truthfully, he felt compelled to respond to make sure he wasn’t in trouble.Thankfully, he couldn't have been more wrong!"My girlfriend sent me a text that the media was looking for me," he said. "I didn't know so many people would be affected by watching me play. I am just baffled."John Thomas ArcherArcher told WBZ that he was just an "amateur" musician. The "Journey" hit was the first song he ever learned to impressively play-by-ear (without sheet music).Even though he loved to play, he couldn't afford to have a piano at home. Instead he made-do with a portable keyboard. So Waters brought him in again, and gave him the timeless gift of music — literally.Returning for an Encore!ReMARKable Cleanouts/FacebookUpon request, Archer returned to the store the next day. True to his words, antique store owner Mark Waters personally gifted the impressive Steinway piano."[John] went into tears and it brought tears to my eyes. It was one of those feel good moments."Mark Waters“I love playing piano. I love when I’m pressing down on the keys,” Archer told WBZ. “It’s more about my emotions and my feelings. As long as people still feel the joy out of my music, I’m happy.” Archer celebrated the win by giving a sweet performance of All of Me by John Legend.“I’m a helper. A giver. I like to give. When I give to you and you smile, that makes me feel good. If you can make somebody else happy, bring a little joy in their heart," Waters, who has owned the store for a decade, told WBZ. “That’s what life’s about.”Giving for Giving’s Sake"I just wish there was more stories like this with everyone opening their hearts," Waters told Good Morning America. "I'd like to donate something every day if it brought people into a good mood."Sure, we may not all have an antique Steinway piano lying around. But what's meaningful to one person is different than what's meaningful to another. Yes, this antique store owner had a gift that would "rock" this musicians world (pun intended), but each and every one of us have a gift that would totally rock someone else's.Mark Water's story is a poignant reminder that we all have something we're holding onto that we can afford to let go — free of charge. Giving for giving's sake is the gift that keeps on giving — did we say 'giving' too many times?!

Angry Customer Throws Hot Food at Chipotle Worker What the Judge Served Up Next Was the Perfect Justice
Uplifting News

Angry Customer Throws Hot Food at Chipotle Worker What the Judge Served Up Next Was the Perfect Justice

Ever had one of those tough days at work? Well, imagine slinging burritos at Chipotle when a customer takes things way too far. That's what happened to Emily Russell who was just trying to do her job when a simple order turned into a hot mess, literally. Customer service isn't always the easiest job, in fact, it can be downright exhausting — but it shouldn't be dangerous! One Chipotle worker was left shaking after she was assaulted by an angry customer — thankfully, a stranger filmed the whole encounter...and it was just the evidence the judge needed to order up justice!An Un-Happy Meal — Bitter Customer Viciously Attacks Fast Food WorkerEmily Russell / FacebookWhen she didn't get what she wanted, one enraged Chipotle customer overreacted in the most offensive way!Emily Russell was working at the Chipotle in Parma, Ohio, when Rosemary Hayne, 39, ordered a plain chicken burrito bowl. After nearly 5 years working in the service industry, Russell thought she'd dealt with every kind of customer imaginable. She was dead wrong.What happened next was shocking. "She just didn't like the way I made her food. I made her food twice, and she had left the building, checked her food in the car, and she came back and started yelling at me and my crew, disturbing my customers," Russell shared.When Rosemary Hayne didn't get what she wanted, this 39-year-old woman threw a temper tantrum fit for a 3-year-old. But that's not the only thing she threw."Next thing I know, I had food in my face, dripping from my hair."She Threw a Piping Hot Chipotle Bowl in Her FaceIn a truly offensive overreaction — Rosemary Hayne took her bowl of Chipotle and launched herself at Ms. Russell. “She started screaming at me. The next thing I knew she threw the food in my face. I was so embarrassed and in shock.” She said the food was 200 degrees because she had just made it and left her face burning red. “I couldn’t believe my customers had to witness that.”In a video captured by a nearby restaurant patron, it's clear that Emily Russell tries to shield herself from the attack. She covers her face with her arms, but she wasn't quick enough. Hayne violently smashes the ceramic bowl of piping hot food over Russell's head. In the video, you can hear the entire restaurant gasp at what they had just witnessed. Horrified, an unnamed woman tried to calm a furious Rosemary Hayne down to no avail. Hayne shoves the woman off of her and continues to yell obscenities at the restaurant patrons. This is one bitter customer who put an ugly twist on the age old saying "if you can't take the heat get out of the kitchen." Emily Russell was horrified and ashamed when the hot bowl of food was thrown in her face. Still she tried to maintain a positive attitude. Ultimately, she says she suffered "a few bruises, but nothing too major."Still, the attack left her shaken. Russell said she quit her job at Chipotle shortly after the incident. She reports she now works at a safer restaurant.Even though the workplace assault was horrifying, Russell had little hope for justice. "I honestly thought she was going to get a slap on the wrist and nothing of it."Boy, was she surprised.When the case file slid across one Ohio Judge's desk he served up the unexpected. A slice of humble pie.The Judge Sentenced Her to Work Fast Food ShiftsFOX8Judge Timothy Gilligan was determined to set an example when it comes to proper "restaurant etiquette." Spoiler Alert: We don't throw food at people, no matter how angry we are!After her violent outburst Rosemary Hayne was sentenced to 90 days in jail for assault. Then, the judge offered to shorten her sentence by 60 days on one condition...if she agreed to work at a fast food restaurant.The Judge Didn’t Buy Her Crocodile Tears — Neither Did the VictimHayne apologized in court to Russell and said there was no excuse for her behavior, but the judge wasn't buying it. Even after apologizing, Hayne continued to defend her actions to the judge."You didn't get your burrito bowl the way you like it and this is how you respond?" Judge Gilligan questioned her. "You went in there looking for a fight.""I did not," Hayne protested. "If I showed you how my food looked, and how my food looked a week later from that same restaurant, it's disgusting looking!""I bet you won't be happy with the food you are going to get in the jail," the judge retorted.“I’d Like to Walk in Her Shoes”Emily Russell / FacebookJudge Gilligan sentenced Haynes to 180 days in jail, and suspended 90 of those days. He said he would award her 60 days in jail credit if she worked at least 20 hours per week at a fast food restaurant for two months. "Do you want to walk in her shoes for two months and learn how people should treat people, or do you want to do your jail time?" he asked."I'd like to walk in her shoes," Hayne replied.Despite the serious sentencing, Hayne's attorney Joe O'Malley, reported his client "is grateful for the opportunity to get a job to reduce her sentence and demonstrate her true remorse for her behavior at Chipotle.""She truly regrets her actions and the pain that it caused," O'Malley reaffirmed though he reports she has not yet found a fast food job.Whether or not Hayne will choose to work in a fast food restaurant or not, the victim says she's "truly happy with the outcome." "Having her have to walk in my shoes, and go to jail, I think it's a perfect outcome."Having a Bad Day Is No Excuse — You Get What You Give"She said she was having a bad day. But everybody has a bad day, and you don't physically take it out on any human being."Oftentimes, we hear about stories like Emily's and we don't feel justice is served. Thankfully, this judge understood the importance of teaching this offender a lesson — and setting a good example."No matter where you work — it could be an office job, it could be a fast food place, it could be anything — like, no job is easy," Emily concluded.In the end, this wild story tells us something pretty simple: work can be tough, and everyone's got their own battles. No matter if you're slinging burgers or pushing papers, we're all just trying to make it through the day. What happened here reminds us that, even when things get messy, throwing a fit or worse, a bowl of hot food, is never the answer. Life's already challenging, so why make it harder for each other? Let's keep it real and treat each other with kindness — because in the end, that's what makes the daily grind a little bit easier for all of us.

School Janitor Finds a Discarded Letter Written by a Bullied Boy to His Classmates So He Wrote Him Back
Everyday Heroes

School Janitor Finds a Discarded Letter Written by a Bullied Boy to His Classmates So He Wrote Him Back

Ian Greenarch knows what it's like to be bullied. And while those days may be long behind him, they're not forgotten.So, when the night janitor at White Heath Elementary in Illinois discovered a letter written by a bullied boy to his classmates, his heart broke a little. Ian had been that boy in fifth grade. The one mocked and ridiculed by his peers. The one who just desperately wanted to fit in, to be liked and accepted. To not feel so alone. Ian decided he needed to do something to let the boy know that there was someone who understood what he was going through. That he had been there too. So, he wrote him back. And his letter? Not only changed the boy's life but it inspired an entire community as well. The Heartbreaking Letter the Janitor FoundIan was picking up papers from the floor when he found Daniel's letter in a moment of pure serendipity."Somehow, someway his letter reached the top of that trash pile flipped around with the words on top," the school janitor told WCIA 3 News.At first, he thought it was someone's homework but once he started reading it, he realized it was a letter addressed to the other kids in the class. And it was heartbreaking. "Daniel had written a letter when he was feeling down apologizing to a lot of his classmates for some misunderstandings and not fitting in, and being bullied was a very big part of this,” Ian said.It was a letter Daniel never shared and ultimately ended up tossing.Knowing how much it would have meant to him if someone had reached out to him back when he was in school, Ian immediately sat down to write Daniel back. "Back when I was in his grade I also had people bugging me, messing with me all the time," Ian shared."I never had anybody that had reached out and helped me through that process and I really just wanted to be that person for him."Ian GreenarchThe Power of the Written WordIn the letter, Ian introduced himself as the night-shift janitor and explained that he had found Daniel's note."I want you to know that I'm thinking about you buddy. Feeling alone is a very scary thing to deal with and it's something I've dealt with bud," he wrote. "I know most have trouble feeling like they don't fit in with other classmates, but in all honesty, being yourself and being kind to others in any situation you'll experience will take you so very FAR!"Ian continued, "Daniel, classmates will love you no matter how you treat them. We are human, homie, and we all make mistakes, even if some are big. Please don’t ever feel like you are alone, because you have parents, siblings, teachers and friends who love Daniel for who he is!!!”He ended the letter by writing, "I hope you find who makes you feel like you belong in your class," and even included a bit of money so Daniel could treat himself. When Daniel shared the letter with his mom, Katie Gambrill, they both cried tears of joy.Katie said it came at exactly the right time."I knew of some of the struggles that Daniel had been having. I had even gotten in contact with the school a couple days before," she said. "We were working on setting him up with a counselor. I felt like the letter from Ian was sent from God. It came right when we needed it the most.”A Community Comes Together in an Outpouring of SupportKatie posted the letter to Facebook asking for help in finding Ian to say thank you. It worked. Just a few hours later, after being inundated with messages, Ian responded with a Facebook video clip in which he humbly thanked the community for their outpouring of support. He also explained his backstory and how much he could identify with Daniel's struggles.And then, like the TRUE HERO he is, Ian said that the one who really deserves all the praise is his friend, Daniel, for having the courage to write his letter in the first place (I think I have something in my eye. Welp.)"Daniel, you have no idea of how much of a superhero you are to me...Just know, I'm in your corner, big guy. You deserve the world, you really do." The duo got the chance to meet a couple of days later and have become fast friends. “Daniel is awesome,” Ian said. “He is almost a mini-me in some ways, and I think that is the best part in all of this. He’s funny, kind, smart, and loves the video games I do, which is amazing. He is a great kid with a great personality.”They even have their own Facebook group — Ian and Daniel — so you can follow along as their story unfolds. With one simple act of kindness, Ian gave Daniel one of the greatest gifts a person can give — the knowledge that he isn't alone. While it may seem simple, it truly can be life-changing.More from Goalcast:School Janitor Takes Boy With Autism Under His Wing – So His Mom Raises $35,000 in ResponseImmigrant Janitor Graduates From Nursing School – And Works at the Same Hospital He Used to CleanAfter a Stint in the School Cafeteria, This Ex-Janitor Now Owns and Operates His Own Restaurant

Strangers Stare at Mom Who Couldnt Calm Her Daughters Tantrum at TJ Maxx - Then, One Womans Words Changed Everything
Uplifting News

Strangers Stare at Mom Who Couldnt Calm Her Daughters Tantrum at TJ Maxx - Then, One Womans Words Changed Everything

Nothing makes you feels like you're wearing a badge that says "bad parent" quite like watching the child you've raised have a meltdown in public. If you have kids you know the feeling. No matter how hard you try, when the usual parenting tricks aren't working, it's hard to keep calm and carry on — especially when everyone's eyes are on you.No matter how tough moms can be, even the best of them can feel totally helpless in the face of their child throwing a public tantrum. Here's how one stranger turned a near mommy-meltdown into a moment she'd never forget.Tears at TJ Maxx Left This Mommy Helpless: She Had Nowhere to HideMom.comWhen Sherry White — a successful Mommy blogger who runs The Messy Christian — took her little girl on a TJ Maxx run, this errand was anything but easy-peasy. In fact, it was the drama mama-nightmares are made of!"My daughter just had the worst tantrum of her life. And of course it was at home so I could have home court advantage. Just kidding it was at TJ Maxx."Sherry White"Home court advantage" is a great way of putting it. It's much easier to use positive affirmations and "keep calm" with a frustrated toddler, when we're in the comfort of our own home. Sometimes when our little ones are having a bad day? Even a place like TJ Maxx can feel overstimulating. The only problem is, we don't always know when the storm is coming and we don't have time to "batten down the hatches." When she took her little girl out for some mother-daughter-bonding time, this mommy blogger had no idea lightning and thunder were about to strike — in the middle of the discount cookware section!Trying to Control the Situation — “All My Tricks Failed”No matter what they teach you in daycare — even LAMAZE can't prepare you for this! Even though Sherry had done everything she could to raise her daughter into a respectful young lady, there was no getting around it. Mommy's little angel was throwing a full on tantrum and could not be reasoned with. Sherry admits "every parenting trick" fell to the wayside. "My heart was beating fast and I was trying not to lose my cool." On this particular day, in this particular moment her little girl was simply "irrational." Unfortunately for the strangers pushing their shopping carts by, with their noses turned up...that's the only snapshot of Sherry's parenting they were seeing. Needless to say for a mom who's trying her best? The judgement was tearing her apart. After trying her best to be patient and calm her daughter down, Sherry was at her wits end. She did the only thing she could think of and tried to move her daughter to a quieter location, away from shaming eyes — and bleeding ears. She had to wait for the storm to pass."I scooped her off to the bathroom trying to recoup and I realized I was going to have to just hold on and wait for it to pass because she was so far gone."Facebook/ Sherry WhiteEven then no matter how hard she tried to "control the situation," Sherry couldn't overcome the shame she felt as strangers passed by her, without saying a word."Person after person walked passed us and I could feel the judgement like the sun burning a hole in me. I just knew they had to be thinking what kind of brat have I raised because I was thinking the same thing. She was being defiant and angry and it was not pretty."Sherry WhiteBut as it turns out...one person's words of affirmation can make up for 100 judgemental glances. Which is exactly what happened, when one older woman put a reassuring hand on Sherry's shoulder. Her simple words changed everything.A Reminder We’re “Doing Great” Never Gets OldIn her viral post, the beloved mommy blogger shared her story and the one older woman who felt like her guardian angel. "This lady a little older than myself walked by and smiled and she came over and squeezed my arm and whispered it's okay, you're doing great."Sherry WhiteTo even Sherry's own surprise, these unexpected words of kindness brought tears to this tough mommy's eyes — literally. "I quickly turned away from her before she could see the tears forming in my eyes and falling down my face."Sherry reflected the shame she was overwhelmed with in that moment. In her own, honest words, "felt like a total mommy failure with an out of control kid." Her struggle was more than relatable. Looking back it was easy for her to find the humor in the situation, "there we were both crying," Sherry said of her daughter and her — for different reasons of course.The fact of the matter is, Sherry's no different than most moms. Trying to juggle cooking, cleaning, pick up, drop off there's a reason why motherhood feels like having to do it all. Don't get me wrong, dads help out too. Dads are always there to answer the important questions like: "Where's mom?" — kidding! Kind of.All’s Well That Ends WellEventually the stormed passed — as it always does. Sherry's little girl calmed down and they were able to finish up their shopping at TJ Maxx and head home.Sherry snapped a pic of her and her sleeping daughter in her car seat, poking fun of the stressful situation. "I guess she was sleepy " she captioned the shot. Even though Sherry looked for her guardian angel around the store she was nowhere to be seen. "I was hoping I'd see that lady and say thank you, but she was gone." Still, Sherry reminded her followers how much the seemingly small gesture meant. "I know a lot of times we don't know what to say to people when we see them going through a moment like this, but from now on take a cue from that lady at TJ Maxx."Even the Strongest of Us Have Moments of WeaknessEven though Sherry writes a mommy blog that is all about embracing the imperfections of parenting and finding the beauty in the challenge — it didn't stop her from having her own moment of weakness.That's why sharing stories like Sherry's are so powerful. It's an important reminder of the age old joke that even a therapist needs a therapist! Even the toughest mommy needs some words of encouragement!"A smile and an encouraging word goes a long way."Sherry WhiteEven though averting your gaze may sometimes feel like the most respectful solution — after all, you weren't judging her, right? — Sherry's story is a reminder that sometimes there's power in going old school Good Samaritan!Sure, we can walk a mile in someone's shoes — but the most important thing isn't to forget the blisters we got along the way, once they've healed. Being neutral is great, but being positive is even better. More from Goalcast:Steve Harvey Realizes His Son Has Given Him a Gift He Didn’t Pay For – But That Wasn’t All, There Was More to ComeThieves Find Out They Stole From a Sick Child – Immediately Send a 4 Page Apology LetterRacist Clerk Makes 10-Year-Old Boy Cry – When His Father Finds Out, He Decides to Confront Him