In normal times, I'm a travel writer. But I don't need to tell you that these are not normal times.

So instead, I spent the spring summer of 2025 writing stories of hope, optimism, and compassion. It's helped me remember that good still exists in the world, it's worth fighting for, and there are a lot people stepping up to the challenge. 


“It all matters. That someone turns out the lamp, picks up the windblown wrapper, says hello to the invalid, pays at the unattended lot, listens to the repeated tale, folds the abandoned laundry, plays the game fairly, tells the story honestly, acknowledges help, gives credit, says good night, resists temptation, wipes the counter, waits at the yellow, makes the bed, tips the maid, remembers the illness, congratulates the victor, accepts the consequences, takes a stand, steps up, offers a hand, goes first, goes last, chooses the small portion, teaches the child, tends to the dying, comforts the grieving, removes the splinter, wipes the tear, directs the lost, touches the lonely, is the whole thing. What is most beautiful is least acknowledged.” 
― Laura McBride, We Are Called to Rise