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Great Grandmas Car Was Stolen - So, She Chased Down the Thief and Busted a Car Theft Ring
Everyday Heroes

Great Grandmas Car Was Stolen - So, She Chased Down the Thief and Busted a Car Theft Ring

*Featured image contains photo by Kindel MediaA thief in Portland, Oregon tried to steal a 1999 white Cadillac... Unfortunately for him, he picked the wrong car.When 79-year-old great-grandmother, Noble Jean Napoleon caught the thief in the act, she wasn't having it. Undaunted, not only did she thwart her own vehicle's theft but her actions helped authorities bust a car theft ring. And if there's any lesson to be learned from this, it's "Don't mess with Grandma."Great-Grandma Stops a Car ThiefWhen Napoleon picked up her great-grandkids from school the last thing she expected to see was her Cadillac drive-by on the back of a tow truck.Having left the car parked outside her apartment earlier that afternoon while she borrowed her son's SUV, she was just pulling out of a gas station when the tow truck rumbled past.Knowing something was drastically wrong, she immediately sprang into action. Telling her great-grandkids to "fasten their seatbelts tight," Granny took off in hot pursuit."I was trailing him," she told the Oregonian. "I was right on his butt."The tow truck driver and alleged car thief, Joseph Allen Beard, 52, had no idea what was coming. (Hell hath no fury like a great-grandma whose Caddy is being stolen).Napoleon pulled up beside the truck, rolled down her window, and yelled, "You take my damn car back where you got it from!"Instead of stopping, Beard sped off. Undaunted, Napoleon charged."Let's GO!"Noble Jean NapoleonAt one point in her chase, she enlisted the help of a few men parked on the side of the road, asking them to follow her.Eventually, she caught up to the thief and her self-appointed deputies helped box him in. When the men got out of their cars and approached the truck driver, she yelled at them not to "beat him up.""I need him to take my car back home," she told them.Operation MistleTOWWhen Napoleon confronted Beard, he tried to convince her that the Cadillac was his friend's car. When that didn't work, he offered to unhitch the vehicle and leave it. But Napoleon wasn't done with him yet."You're taking it back where it came from," she told him. She then proceeded to follow him all the way home."I trailed him all the way back," she said. "I wasn't playin'." Napoleon contacted the police shortly afterward, giving them Beard's license plate number. It was exactly what they needed to finally bust "Operation MistleTow" wide open.Apparently, this wasn't an isolated event. For the past few months, the District Attorney’s Office’s Auto Theft Task Force had been waiting for the break they needed to stop an illegal tow truck operation stealing cars and selling them for scrap metal.That's where our unlikely vigilante comes in. According to the DA's Office, a representative of Maters Auto Recycling sold about 80 vehicles to Rivergate Scrap Metal, at least 22 of which were stolen. The representative is alleged to be Beard.Thanks to Napoleon, Beard was arrested and the operation shut down.Now, he's facing multiple charges, including Trafficking in Stolen Vehicles, Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle, Possession of a Stolen Vehicle, Theft, Criminal Mischief, Forgery, and Identity Theft. He's pleaded "Not Guilty."Don't Mess With GrandmaWhile the police cautioned Napoleon not to take matters into her own hands in the future and to "be careful," the sassy septuagenarian says Beard is the one who should have been careful."If I had my slugger in here, he'd have been careful 'cause I would have slugged him all over everything, yes," she said.Despite her age (or maybe because of it), Napoleon is clearly a force to be reckoned with. And she proves that when it comes to courage and fighting injustice, we all have the power to stand up. No matter our age or circumstances.More from Goalcast:Thief Steals Truck and Unbelievably Returns It a Few Days Later – Leaves Behind a Gift and a NoteSingle Mom of 5 Texts the Thief Who Stole Her Car to Return It – And She Actually Succeeded!Man Finds Out a Thief Has Broken Into and Stolen From His Restaurant – His Unexpected Reaction Goes Viral

Woman Invites Her Mom to an Airbnb - Then Reveals the Truth About Why They Were Actually There
Uplifting News

Woman Invites Her Mom to an Airbnb - Then Reveals the Truth About Why They Were Actually There

Owning a house is a big deal. Not everyone can afford to purchase a home, which makes it a giant blessing for those who can. And when you finally get those keys to your first place, you can’t help but feel pride and excitement. You probably also want to share those celebratory vibes with those you love.That’s why, when one woman in Jacksonville, Florida finally realized her dream of home ownership, she planned the ultimate prank on her mother and sister.The Ultimate PrankNyomi Jackson spent a year building and putting her house together. It was a long and emotional journey that she shared on TikTok, revealing that in the final stretch, she was waking up super early and staying up late in order to put all of those final details into place.Why? Jackson had invited her mom, Wanda Fields, and her younger sister, Nia, to her place, saying it was an Airbnb. She wanted everything to be perfect before they arrived."One of the things [my mom] has continuously imparted to me as well as my sisters is, 'When you have a vision, move toward it, move toward it relentlessly,'" Jackson told Good Morning America. "And I knew I had a vision of my family being in my house."She added that it was important to her that everyone come to a “singular place” for the big reveal, and felt that her mom’s birthday was a great excuse to gather. After all, her mom had raised her and her sister in a one-bedroom apartment in New York City."So, I was very quiet. I would take calls in my closet. My mom would call, and I'd go into a small area so she couldn't hear the echo,” she continued. “I just needed them to realize the full vision all at once. And so … based on my mom's reaction, I think I did a pretty good job.”A Priceless ReactionWhen the big day arrived, Jackson filmed the entire thing and shared it in another TikTok video that has since grabbed more than 3 million views. Jackson captured her mom and sister entering the “Airbnb,” and her mom immediately commented on how much she liked the setup.But then she noticed a divider that looked a lot like the one she’d given her daughter. She also recognized a painting of an elephant that Jackson had had for more than a decade.“That’s not yours?” her mother asked.“This is my house,” Jackson replied off-camera, and you could hear the smile in her voice. At first, her mom and sister didn’t believe her, but then their joy as they realized what was really going on was heartwarming. Her mom kept saying “Nyomi,” over and over again."For my mom to see me purchase my first house and do something really incredible, I think it speaks volumes to what's possible," Jackson said. "If you have a vision, you stick to it, and you make it happen."Stick To Your VisionThis video resonated with so many people because of how proud Fields obviously was of her daughter."When I see the video, sometimes I go over and just watch it,” she explained. “It's like a pill you take that makes you happy. Everyone was celebratory of her, of her success, our family, friends from all over the world, and it just touches me, and it just makes me happy. It makes me cry."More importantly, Jackson wanted to share a message with people that her mother had always taught her: "If you have a vision, you stick to it, and you make it happen."It’s a great takeaway for when we’re struggling in our own lives. Jackson’s journey to home ownership wasn’t easy, but she stuck with it, had a plan, and kept going even when things were hard. All of that dedication eventually paid off.Yes, she was also blessed, but Jackson inspires all of us to do the same. Whether it’s a dream job, a dream house, a dream relationship, or a dream vacation, having a clear vision and plan on how to achieve it is always the first step. Then, hopefully, with a little luck, manifestation, and hard work, those dreams can come true.More from Goalcast:Single Mom Cleans Four Bedroom Home Then Told She Gets to Keep It – Later She Finds Out It Was A “Prank”Single Mom With 5 Kids Works 20 Hours a Day – Brings Them to an “Airbnb” for a Surprise That Makes Them Scream Man Saves Up For A Year And Surprises Wife With Key To Dream Home

Garbage Collector Wakes Up at 3 AM to Make Only $10 a Day - Years Later, His Daughter Makes His Dream Come True
Uplifting News

Garbage Collector Wakes Up at 3 AM to Make Only $10 a Day - Years Later, His Daughter Makes His Dream Come True

Parenting can be difficult, but at the end of the day, the No. 1 thing any parent needs to do a good job is to love and support. Everything else is extra. That means, even if a mother or father doesn’t make a ton of money or give their kids all the bells and whistles, they can still be a successful parent.That’s why one story of a father who sometimes couldn’t put food on the table but still supported his daughter so that she could graduate from college is resonating with so many people.A Man Does His BestA 51-year-old father named Tatay Cristito Quimado doesn’t have much in life, but he has a family, and to him, that is everything. The Filipino garbage collector made headlines after a GMA News article highlighted just how much he loves his family.In the story, the father-of-four explained how he wakes up at 3 a.m. every day in order to get to work at 4 a.m. From there he collects garbage and risks his health due to exposure to various hazards.It’s not the most glamorous job, but it’s a job, and he does it because he — like so many other parents — wants a better life for his kids. He wants them to finish their studies, and he will do whatever it takes to support them in that goal.“It's difficult because I have many children. But even though it's hard, I can handle it. Sometimes we have nothing to eat,” he told the outlet.A Proud FamilyQuimado’s dream came true in April 2018 when his daughter, Jenny Rose Quimado, graduated college with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition and Food Technology. It has been a long road, but the dad said he is proud of his daughter. Jenny is also proud of how hard her father has worked in order to get her to this position.“Sometimes, he comes home empty-handed, but I thank God that he is my father because his work is honorable. He is not doing anything illegal,” she said.What sticks most with Quimado is that, even though some kids might be ashamed of having a garbage collector as a father, Jenny is proud of his work and knows that hard work is hard work. She also knows what you do for a living doesn’t necessarily define you."When people ask, 'What does your father do?' she answers, 'Garbage collector!' she is not shy," Quimado added.A Dream for the Next GenerationNow that Jenny has graduated college, she wants to start working in order to provide for her siblings and for her father. She wants to be able to take him to nice restaurants and buy him nice clothes.She also wants to set the tone for her siblings, and wants to help her family by putting her salary towards putting them through school, too.“I want to be the one to work so I can educate my siblings,” she added.The family’s story was a huge hit, and before they knew it, others around the world wanted to help them out, too. Quimado’s wife was offered a job at a sari store, and others donated money and gifts to help give them a nice Christmas.That generosity isn’t slowing Quimado down from working as hard as he can to provide though. “For fathers like me, it is our obligation to send our children to school,” he explained in a follow-up GMA News article. “I hope for all of our children.”Following Your DreamsThis story is so sweet because it highlights the importance of family and love. But it also exemplifies the importance of following your dreams, even when things get hard.Getting up that early and collecting other people’s garbage isn’t easy. It’s a hard and demanding gig that offers very low rewards. Yet Quimado does it because he knows it’s for a good cause: realizing his dream of his children graduating from college.It’s a reminder to all of us that when things get hard, don’t give up. Remember your purpose, set goals for yourself, and when life gives you a challenge face it head-on. So long as you have loved ones who will support you along the way, you’re going to be all right.More from Goalcast:Poor Dad Raises His 4 Children Alone After His Wife Abandons Them to Start a New Family With Someone ElseStruggling Single Dad of 4 Owes $168,000 – His Mortgage Provider Makes an Announcement That Shocks Him5-Year-Old Girl Empties Her Entire Piggybank to Help Others – 13 Years Later She Wins $48 Million All Because of Her Grandfather

16-Year-Old Becomes Homeless After Parents Ask Her to Move Out - Years Later, a Shocking Scene Changes Everything
Everyday Heroes

16-Year-Old Becomes Homeless After Parents Ask Her to Move Out - Years Later, a Shocking Scene Changes Everything

Jessica Pearce knows the hardship of being homeless. Three days shy of her 16th birthday, her parents asked her to move out. Alone and living on the streets, her math teacher came to her rescue, helping her secure a place at a home for teenagers who were working to finish their education.Years later, it's an experience that's stayed with her. And now? She's taking that experience and making a profound difference in the lives of others experiencing homelessness. Coming Face-To-Face With Her City’s HomelessBack in 2016, at the age of 38, Jessica and her partner came face-to-face with Melbourne, Australia's homeless. Literally.Staying at a hotel over Christmas, the couple was shocked to find the nearby streets "lined with people sleeping on mattresses or on the ground.""I guess we felt shocked and I suppose a bit guilty — we didn't realise how bad the housing situation in Melbourne was," Jessica told ABC Radio Melbourne."I guess it just touched me and I thought that maybe there was something that we could do."Jessica PearceSo, the duo spent two nights wandering the streets, handing out $20 and $50 bills and getting to know each person's story. They even went so far as to invite one of the men they met, an estranged father of two, to stay with them, before putting him up at a motel for a month.But Jessica felt convicted to do more. Having just paid off her mortgage, she was considering buying an investment property in Melbourne. But why just buy one when you could buy four?Former Homeless Teen Buys Four Houses — Provides Free Accommodation for Families in NeedA successful business owner and mother of four, Jessica, inspired by her own brush with homelessness, decided it was time to pay it forward. Not one to sit around, she bought four houses within two weeks with the intent of providing safe and affordable housing for young people and families in need. But what started as a solo operation quickly turned into an incredible joint venture. One of the brokerage firms that helped her find the homes was so inspired by her act of philanthropy that they donated furniture.Jessica also enlisted the help of both a youth organization and a women's shelter. In an amazing full-circle moment, two of her houses are now being used to help teenagers just like her, who need a place to stay while they finish their education.The third home is allocated specifically for single mothers and the fourth is being used as transitional housing for people with children who are on a waiting list for long-term accommodation.This collaborative effort has turned Jessica's vision into a sustainable and impactful program that continues to make a lasting difference in the lives of those less fortunate.For Jessica, it's all about giving something back. “I have had good times and difficult times, but most of the time, I’ve been more fortunate than others. So it's now that I feel I am really able to give something back.”Jessica PearceAnd she hopes that others will be inspired to follow in her footsteps. How We Can Help the HomelessThe reality is that not everyone has the financial means to buy homes for the homeless. But that doesn't mean we can't make a difference. As the number of people experiencing homelessness continues to skyrocket, there are several ways we can help.Joining the fight against homelessness can take various forms, and individuals can make a meaningful impact through both direct and indirect means, including donating food, money, and various necessities to shelters and organizations, volunteering, and supporting affordable housing initiatives. The more people who step up to help those who are struggling in their communities, the closer we are to becoming a society where everyone has a place to call home.More from Goalcast:Homeless Family of 5 Lives in a Broken-Down Bus – Then a Stranger Makes an Offer That Sounds Like a “Cruel Joke” to ThemTeens Witness Homeless Man Crying in a Chick-fil-A – So They Go ShoppingCouple Passes by Homeless Man Who Has Lived on the Streets for 3 Years – Decide to Give Him a Christmas He’ll Never Forget

Man Challenges Athlete to a Race Because He Thinks Women Cant Beat Men - Her Response Goes Viral
Uplifting News

Man Challenges Athlete to a Race Because He Thinks Women Cant Beat Men - Her Response Goes Viral

While stereotypes can be dangerous, sometimes they can be downright funny. Thankfully, one college athlete knew just what to do when an overconfident peer thought he could beat her at her own game — literally.When Will We Learn to Stop Underestimating Women?A recent TikTok video is going viral for all the right reasons!University of Virginia track and field athlete Alahna Sabbakhan (@lahnazak), was at crossroads. The scholarship athlete was shocked when she was challenged to a race by a male acquaintance who insisted "no woman could beat him."The best part? Her challenger wasn't even an athlete. What's even more bizarre was her challenger brought his family along to see his projected "big win." He Couldn’t Have Been More WrongIt all started during one of Alahna's routine workouts.The track star had been minding her own business, when her boyfriend's friend showed up out of the blue and insisted on competing against her in 400-meter race. Despite the absurdity of his claims, the 22-year-old track star embraced the opportunity before her. Instead of choosing to be insulted by his overconfidence, she chose to turn it into a powerful lesson for everyone watching...and the results couldn't have been more perfect.He Didn’t Realize He’d Just Picked the Hardest RaceDuring the first half of the 400-meter race, she cheekily kept pace with her challenger, who "does not run" regularly, she said in the video. "He didn't really know what to challenge me in," she says. "He was like, 'Yeah, I could beat her in the 400' — not realizing that that was one of the hardest track events and that was one of my secondary events."Alahna SabbakhanAt the 150 meter mark, her challenger wrongly thought they were neck and neck — he didn't realize he'd already overexerted himself whereas Alahna was just getting started.After the first 200 meters passed, her competitor fell off. At the same time, Alahna picked up the pace to "finish hard, because that's what you do as a track runner," she shared.It wasn't long before the gap between them widened drastically and Alahna was the clear winner, leaving her overconfident competitor in the dust.Maybe someone should have warned him to stay in his own lane (literally)!She Had Nothing To Prove — "Just to Clarify, I Did Not Want to Race This Man"Even though he was totally out of his field, Alahna wasn't looking to school anyone.In her video Alahna clarifies she was a reluctant participant; "I did not want to race this man. I was already at the track with my boyfriend doing a workout, and he came to join."More than anything, the athlete — who runs a successful TikTok page sharing diet and fitness tips — wanted to remind her followers to not let other people's opinions of you get in your head!TikTok / @lahnazak"My mom tells me this all the time: You already won. You already got your college scholarship, earned your athlete status," she continues. "So I don't think me racing some random guy at the track is really going to determine anything for me."Nearly 12 million views later, it's clear Alahna's story made its mark.With millions of views and climbing, the virality of the video speaks to the "universal experience" of having our years of hard work questioned and why it's important to block out the noise and keep your eyes on the prize.Finish Strong for Yourself — One Athlete’s Inspiring Message for People EverywhereWhen it comes to confidence, Alahna shared her story as a reminder of why it's so important to not compare yourself to others."Focus on your journey and your progress and where you used to be and where you want to be, because it's just going to waste your time and drain your energy to be focused on everyone else," she says.Keep realistic and motivating goals. "If you're writing them down and reminding yourself of (your goals) every day, then that really helps block out that extra noise," she says. "That's been helping me not care about the negative things people are saying to me because of that video. I'm just reminding myself about how I have bigger goals."

11-Year-Old Foster Girl Sent to Principals Office for Fighting - Little Did She Know What Was Going to Happen Next
Uplifting News

11-Year-Old Foster Girl Sent to Principals Office for Fighting - Little Did She Know What Was Going to Happen Next

It's safe to say, high school wasn't the easiest time for most of us. There's a reason why so many coming of age stories follow how difficult it is for teenagers to make the leap from adolescence to young adulthood.When you're still in your teens and pre-teens, it's hard to know exactly what you want in the future. And with so many options and daily mounting pressures — homework, friends, college applications — it's easy to just want to give up. Thankfully we made it through with at least a handful of lasting memories — and more often than not we can recall a special relationship with at least one teacher, who really believed in us. (Pay teachers better! They're shaping the future leaders of tomorrow!)For one struggling student, there was one teacher who made a big impact on her life — and it was the last person on earth she would have ever thought would help her. After all, he'd suspended her...she had no clue his next order of business would be to adopt her.She Was a Foster Kid Flunking OutTo the naked eye, Raven Whitaker, (now 18), was just an 11-year-old foster kid with a bad attitude who was flunking all her classes. To middle school principal Jason Smith and his wife Marybeth Smith? She was a young woman struggling to find her place in the world, with no family to lean on.Her Behavior Was Out of ControlRaven Whitaker was in rough shape when she first met Jason Smith, the principal of Campbell County Middle School. Raven was sent to the Principal's office after a troubling incident in the school cafeteria. She threw a yogurt cup at another student, and the teachers didn't know how to handle her escalating behavior on their own anymore.Out of options, they suspended her (a difficult feat in middle school). After her suspension was lifted, she was sent straight to Principal John Smith's office for a firm "teaching moment." Little did they know, this was one trip to the principal's office that would teach her a life long lesson "detention" never could.When Raven arrived at the Principal's office, she braced herself for another stern talking to — one of many she had faced in her life. With crossed-arms she sat in front of Principal Smith planning to "get this over with." What happened next was more mind blowing than she ever could have imagined.He Asked Her One Simple Question and the Answer Broke His HeartInstead of reprimanding her, Principal Smith used a more gentle approach. He wanted to get to the bottom of what was making Raven act out; needless to say, it didn't take long to crack the case."Would this behavior be acceptable at a restaurant?" Principal Smith asked. "I don't know," Raven Whitaker replied, "I've never been to one."To Raven's own surprise, she opened up to Principal Smith. He was not only easy to talk to, but for the first time in her life, someone was actually listening. Raven didn't hold back. She spilled her guts about the hardship she had been quietly facing, on her own. She Had Lice in Her Hair and Bruises on Her BodyLittle girl sitting on curb in dirty dress looking cold and aloneLooking back, Raven recalls the inhumane conditions she was forced to live in. She was put in a group home with several other kids of all different ages. All kinds of children came and went, it was a revolving door of misery.By the time she was sitting in Principal Smith's office, life had already beaten Raven down -- literally. Her body was covered in bruises, her hair was filled with lice, and her fingernails were packed with dirt. With little resources and hope — it's clear hygiene was definitely not a priority. More heartbreaking still, neither was her physical safety.Raven endured what no child should ever have to.Like so many other kids in the foster system who slip through the cracks, Raven was neglected and abused. At 11-years-old with no inspiring role models to demonstrate proper behavior, Raven was left to her own devices. The heartbreaking result? Acting out against authority figures and her peers. "At that point, I had felt like she just needed a hand, needed help. I recognized that she needed something to go in her favor, maybe for once, that it hadn’t gone in her favor in the past, but she just needed somebody to help her.”Principal John Smith, Good Morning AmericaEven though Raven faced the consequences of her actions over and over, she didn't care. At such a tender age her life had already been more challenging than most face in a lifetime. She didn't feel she had anything to live for or to fight for. Thankfully there was someone who would fight for her.A Weekend Visit Turned Into a Full AdoptionWhen John Smith had returned home that night after first meeting Raven, he immediately shared her story with his wife. Thankfully the couple had the exact same response.With some hesitation (they had problems in the past with fostering children) the couple extended an invitation to have Raven over at their home for a casual visit. She was only supposed to stay the weekend, but once she walked through the Smith's front door, she never left. It was fate. They were family."They say that a mother falls in love with their child at first sight and I can remember Raven walking into that room that day, that scared little kid, and I just knew in my heart this is what's supposed to be."Marybeth Smith, Raven's motherMarybeth Smith / "Adoption Day"She Wasn’t Sure if She Could Trust Anyone Again — She’d “Heard It All Before”“It was really weird at first because, in my mind, I thought of [Jason Smith] as the bad guy because I was always getting in trouble,” Raven Whitaker-Smith told GMA. “I gave them a bunch of trouble to see what would happen, I kind of tested whether or not this was real or not to see if they would keep me no matter what, because they would tell me that but, you know, I’d heard that a lot before.”Even though the Smith's had promised they would take it slow as to not get their hopes up — once again, life had other plans. "The same weekend [I visited]," Raven shared, "we went and painted by bedroom my favorite color — teal."It may seem like a simple act, but for a young girl who has never had her own room, being given permission to pick her own paint color is everything. Without words, it tells her, "get comfortable, you are welcome here, you are safe, we're not going anywhere."She'd been holding her breath and she didn't even know it. Finally, she could breathe out and breathe deep. She was finally home. Despite wanting a family of their own, Marybeth Smith had been unable to have children. The couple clearly had a nurturing side — why else would Principal Smith choose to be an educator? Even though they couldn't see it right away, their prayers would be answered — just not in the way they thought. One Trip to the Principal’s Office Saved Her Life''Honestly, I wouldn't be alive. I probably would have gone down a completely different path."Raven Whitaker-SmithYet as always, love is a two-way street. The Smith's didn't just save Raven's life. She saved theirs.It's common knowledge that the older kids get, the less "desirable" they are for adoption. The sad reality is that children waiting who are older than six probably won't find a forever family. The level of trauma they have suffered means that not many adopters feel able to provide them with the level of care they need to thrive. But Marybeth Smith had a powerful message for all parents and aspiring parents. "If you're out there and you're thinking about fostering a kid, don't be afraid to take a teenager," she said."I couldn't love her anymore if I had given birth to her."Marybeth SmithNow, Raven Whitaker-Smith is completely unrecognizable from the little girl she used to be. With the encouragement of her two loving and supportive parents, Raven went from flunking the fifth grade to a full-blown university student!Raven Whitaker-Smith / FacebookShe's studying at The University of Kentucky and perhaps most heartwarming of all — she's working towards a degree in social work and hopes to help others one day, who are just like her.Life Doesn’t Always Go According to Plan — And That’s BeautifulYou know what they say, "If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans." Raven's story is a reminder that hope can come from the most unsuspecting places.Chance encounters can change our life. In fact, more often than not they are almost always the thing that does. Don't believe it? Think again. Love — the greatest thing we got as humans — is nothing but chance. Take a minute to reflect on all the friends you've met or the partners you've loved and then think of how easy it would have been to have never met them at all.Missed connections and failed plans can feel like the worst thing in the world, but more often than not, with enough perspective hopefully we can realize we shouldn't have many regrets. We are may not always get what we want — but as the Rolling Stones put it best, "you get what you need."More from Goalcast:6 Siblings Were Separated in Foster Care For Over 3 Years – Then 2 Dads Adopted Them AllThree Desperate Foster Children Are Told to Open Their Christmas Presents — The News They Receive Will Warm Your HeartFoster Teen Requests to Feed the Homeless on Show – What the Producers Do Next Changes His Life

Woman Notices a Long Line of Hungry Customers at Whataburger - Their Interaction With Deaf Cashier Goes Viral
Uplifting News

Woman Notices a Long Line of Hungry Customers at Whataburger - Their Interaction With Deaf Cashier Goes Viral

The hunger pangs were gnawing at Kolbie Sanders and her boyfriend as they stood in line at a Whataburger in Denton, Texas, late one night. Despite the growling stomachs, the couple's patience was about to be tested in the most beautiful way.The usually brisk line at this fast-food joint was moving at a snail's pace. As Kolbie observed the cause of the delay, her rumbling stomach suddenly seemed like a minor concern.The Interaction One Customer Witnessed at a Fast Food JointPhoto by Isaac TaylorThe hold-up was the result of a kind and heartwarming interaction unfolding at the cash register. There, cashier Taylor Pope was engaged in a conversation with a young couple at the front of the line. The situation became clear when the cashier, with a warm smile and a touch of shyness, said, "I am deaf, can you please talk slower?"The young woman at the counter instantly beamed and slowed down her order. However, the cashier still struggled to understand. His solution? Another smile, and he promptly fetched a piece of paper and a pen, silently communicating his request for them to write down their order.Without hesitation, the couple complied. They patiently jotted down their order, their expressions filled with genuine kindness and understanding. Not an ounce of impatience marred the scene; it was pure joy.Kolbie, with several customers still in front of her, watched this heartwarming spectacle unfold. She wondered if the line would lose its patience, but the only things she witnessed were smiles, patience, and love.After ordering her own meal, she continued to observe, looking for any hint of frustration or impatience among the customers, but there was none. Every person willingly wrote down their order, a smile always accompanying their written words.The Reason Why One Woman Shared Her ExperienceKolbie felt compelled to share this experience for two essential reasons.First, she was in awe of the deaf cashier who, despite his disability, held a job and managed to communicate with hundreds of people daily. It was a testament to his unwavering spirit and determination. She applauded Whataburger for giving him this opportunity.Second, in a world increasingly marred by divisiveness and cruelty, this incident was a breath of fresh air. It showcased small but powerful acts of kindness from diverse individuals who, for a moment, put aside their pride, problems, and hunger to support someone in need.It was a moment that deeply moved Kolbie, and she knew it was a lesson she'd carry with her always.The deaf cashier, when asked about the experience, simply said, "With all the people helping me with the orders, it made me feel happy."So, the next time you find yourself waiting in line at a restaurant or a store, remember that we may not always know the battles others are fighting. A little patience and kindness, like the customers at that Whataburger, can create a moment of profound beauty in the midst of our hectic lives.More from Goalcast:Deaf Man Dreams of Becoming a Successful DJ — What He Does Next Defies All Odds11-Year-Old Deaf Girl Visits Disneyland With Family – They Are Shocked When They See How One Princess Interacts With ThemDeaf Domino’s Employee Delivers Pizzas on Foot After His Car Breaks Down – In Return, He Gets a “Tip” of $12,000

Woman Learns Her Exhausted Co-worker Bikes Three Hours to Work - So She and Her Husband Come Up With a Plan
Uplifting News

Woman Learns Her Exhausted Co-worker Bikes Three Hours to Work - So She and Her Husband Come Up With a Plan

Working on your feet for hours every day in order to earn your paycheck can be tiring. Now imagine if, in addition to that daily grind, your commute took three hours each way. Rough, right? But what if you actually had to bike for those three hours? You would probably be exhausted.Well, that’s exactly how Samson Adams’ co-workers learned he was biking for six hours every day to and from work: before long, it began to physically and emotionally wear him down.A Grueling Daily GrindAdams lives 30 miles away from the Texas Roadhouse in Paducah, Kentucky, where he works. Unfortunately, when he secured the job, he didn’t have a car, so he would bike to and from work every day. It took three hours when he factored in rest stops, but he has a family to support, so that motivated him.However, one day the Texas Roadhouse Community Ambassador, Joelle Long, realized Adams was always tired. She and her husband wondered what was up, so they got to know his story. Then, when Adams’ bike broke down, they wanted to help.“I started picking him up. We started talking,” Long told a local ABC News station. “The more I talked to him, the more I got to know him, the more I loved him, the more I felt like this guy really deserves someone to give him a little bit of help.”Unsure what else to do, she posted on Facebook and shared her co-worker’s story.A Community Comes ThroughLong and her husband set up a GoFundMe page for Adams without him knowing. The goal was to raise $1,000. That would cover an $800 vehicle that Long had found, plus some extra money towards gas and insurance.What no one was expecting was for the page to take off or the story to go viral. But before anyone knew what was happening, there was more than $6,000 in the account. That was more than enough to surprise Adams with a reliable new vehicle."I had no choice but to use a manual bike, and then that went out, and then God came and blessed me with all this,” Adams told WRAL News.“I thought I was in trouble ... I forgot to do something or maybe I shouldn't have ate that piece of bread on camera," Adams said of the sweet surprise. “You know, something simple like that. And she was like, 'No, you're not in trouble, I got news for you. We got you a car.' Just basically, I didn't know what to think.”Now, Adams's commute only takes 30 minutes each way — a vast improvement from before. That means the server is more alert and able when he is at work, plus he has more time to be present at home with his family.“Thank you very much, Paducah. Come and see me at Texas Roadhouse. My name is Samson. I'll be the best server I can be,” he added.Paying It ForwardMany people struggle to make it to work every day or to even make ends meet. Everyone’s situation is different, and everyone goes through hard times. That’s why it’s nice to hear stories like these, which remind us that people do pay it forward, and there is light at the end of the tunnel.It’s always nice to pay forward those few bonus dollars, an extra bit of time, or additional resources you happen to have because there’s usually someone who needs it more than you do. More importantly, your actions may inspire others to give back or to pay it forward too.So whether you buy a round of coffee or drinks for your co-workers, donate old clothes or children’s items to someone in need, or just volunteer your time to a community center or team, these small acts add up to make a big difference.You may not be purchasing someone a car and gas, but you could very well be fueling their soul for the rest of their day.More from Goalcast:Pregnant Woman Is Unable to Take Maternity Leave – Then, Her Manager Tells Her a Lie to Bring Her Into WorkTeen Is Photographed Walking at 4 AM to Reach His Graduation – So a Stranger Gifts Him a Brand New CarPizza Hut Deliveryman Has Worked the Same Job for 31 Years – So His Customers Tip Him With a Brand New Car

Womans Husband of 14 Years Leaves Her After She Was Paralyzed - Makes a Comeback in More Ways Than One
Uplifting News

Womans Husband of 14 Years Leaves Her After She Was Paralyzed - Makes a Comeback in More Ways Than One

Losing a loved one and being diagnosed with a critical illness would destroy someone's life. Yet, one amazing woman has bounced back stronger than ever. By all accounts, 37-year-old Riona Kelly of Halifax, Yorkshire got off lucky. While a car accident 18 months prior shook her up, she had her health and was able to walk.But one day would change all of that drastically in ways she couldn't imagine. Rushed to the hospital with a spinal stroke leaving her paralyzed from the waist down, she heard the words anyone dreads to hear. "Doctors told me I would never walk again," she recalled to the Sun.However in a cruel twist, she'd soon lose more than just her mobility. A Husband Deserts His WifePhoto by Karolina Grabowska Just five days into her hospital stay, Kelly says that her husband of fourteen years called it quits on their marriage. "It was the time I needed my husband the most."It left Kelly -- a mother of four -- alone to fend for herself in a scary new world in a wheelchair. Her lows were perilously low."The first time I went out in a wheelchair I thought everyone was looking at me, I hated it and hated myself," she recalled, adding that she considered the worst. "If someone had given me the choice I would have ended my life, I didn't want to live anymore.”She thanks her lucky stars for her friend Sarah and her kids for seeing through that dark period. Riona Kelly was not ready to go out without a fight. A Strong Woman’s Comeback StoryKelly did physiotherapy around the clock, determined to get strength and feeling back in her legs. Then one day, despite what the doctors told her, she took her first steps on her own.She says there are four great reasons as motivation to never give up. "It took me 25 minutes to get up 16 steps, and the same time to come back down again, but I was determined to do it for my children."Amazingly, that's just the first act of her incredible success story.During her rehab, she met personal trainer Keith Mason. The two instantly hit it off."After our sessions, Keith and I stayed in contact, he would ask me how I was getting on and our relationship blossomed from there."It's been a love song ever since. "We have now been together for 11 months, the children really like him and I finally feel like I'm living the life I deserve."How One Woman Reminds Us to Walk Our PathPhoto by Dominic SansottaKelly's ex-husband Richard maintains that he told her of the divorce the morning before her stroke. Kelly's just thankful that he's in the rearview. "Looking back, going through what I did was the best thing to ever happen to me."Against all odds, Kelly is literally walking away from her troubles. She only needs her wheelchair to walk longer distances. Like, for example, the two marathons she's completed. Who can imagine how lonely Kelly must have felt in that hospital in the weeks and months after her husband left her?Author Ryan Holiday talks about two choices we have when faced with adversity. We can wallow in the 'Dead Time -- where we are passive and biding.'Or, as Kelly chose, we can choose 'Alive Time,' where we are 'learning and acting and leveraging every second towards their intended future.'With friends and family as motivation, she chose life and is now living her best. Even at our darkest point, it's a path available to us all.More from Goalcast:Woman Marries the Love of Her Life – Then Finds Out She Shares a Crazier Connection With Her Mother-In-LawWoman Is Forbidden by Dad to Marry Her Lover – Years Later, Her Daughter Discovers a Big Family SecretWoman Diagnosed With Rare Genetic Disorder Wonders if She’ll Ever Find Love – Then One Man Steps in With the Answer

87-Year-Old Woman Fights Home Intruder - Then, She Feeds Him 'Peanut Butter and Crackers' Because He Was Hungry
Uplifting News

87-Year-Old Woman Fights Home Intruder - Then, She Feeds Him 'Peanut Butter and Crackers' Because He Was Hungry

In the serene town of Brunswick, Maine, the tranquility of early morning was abruptly shattered for 87-year-old Marjorie Perkins when she awoke to a chilling sight -- a male intruder standing ominously over her bed. Instead of succumbing to fear, Marjorie's courage ignited a chain of events that would leave her community in awe.What One Elderly Woman Did When an Intruder Came Into Her HousePhoto by Kindel MediaIn the dark of night, around 2 A.M., Marjorie found herself face-to-face with an unwelcome guest. But rather than cower in terror, she acted swiftly, slipping on her shoes -- a simple yet crucial step towards defending herself. The intruder soon realized he had picked the wrong house to invade.With quick thinking and fierce determination, Marjorie grabbed a nearby chair, using it as her weapon to fend off the assailant. Despite being pushed against the wall, she fearlessly struck back, refusing to become a victim. Her resolute response deterred the intruder from causing further harm.In a surprising twist, the intruder confessed that hunger had driven him to this ill-fated decision. Displaying remarkable composure, Marjorie offered him crackers and peanut butter while secretly alerting the authorities. Amidst the tension, she ensured help was on its way.It was later revealed that the intruder was a local teenager who lived nearby. His break-in sent shockwaves of disbelief and fear through the typically peaceful neighborhood. Yet, amidst the turmoil, Marjorie's bravery emerged as a beacon of hope and resilience.How One Woman Proved There’s No Age Limit to Being a HeroAs the news spread, Marjorie's neighbors were both rattled and inspired. The idea of a home invasion in their tranquil community was unsettling, but Marjorie's unwavering spirit offered solace. In the face of adversity, she chose not to be passive, urging others to stay prepared to defend themselves.The incident serves as a crucial reminder of the importance of home security and preparedness. Marjorie's quick thinking and courage saved her from further harm, proving that bravery knows no age limit. The young intruder is now facing charges and is detained at the Long Creek Youth Development Center.As we reflect on Marjorie's incredible act of bravery, let her story inspire us all to face life's challenges with strength and determination. In moments of adversity, may we find the courage to stand up and protect ourselves and those we care for. Marjorie's actions echo a resounding message -- that even in the face of fear, we can find the strength to overcome and emerge victorious.So, the next time we find ourselves facing a daunting situation, let Marjorie's bravery be a guiding light. We, too, can pick up our metaphorical chairs and defend what we hold dear. Together, as a community, we can learn from her indomitable spirit and create a world where fear is no match for our courage.More from Goalcast:Airline Refuses to Let Man Board Flight With His Newborn – Then an Elderly Woman Takes Them Both AwayMan Records Elderly Woman Accusing Him of Stealing Her Best Friend’s Car – His Response Goes ViralElderly Woman Loses Husband and Her House in the Same Day – Her Neighbor’s Response Surprises Her