In partnership with
“May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears.”
WEEKLY BRIGHT SPOTS
More than a father-daughter dance
At Louisiana’s largest maximum-security prison, nearly 30 incarcerated fathers were given a rare gift: one evening to simply be dads. The prison hosted its first-ever father-daughter dance, where men in tuxedos reunited with daughters they’ve missed growing up. Among them was Leslie Harris, serving a decades-long sentence, who shared a slow dance with his 17-year-old daughter to “Isn’t She Lovely.” For many, it was the first hug in years. Organized by God Behind Bars, the event offered something often absent in prison—hope. For one night, these men weren’t defined by their sentences, but by love, remorse, and the chance to reconnect with the people who still believe in them.
The Santa Train
Before sunrise, volunteers boarded the annual Santa Train, an 83-year tradition that travels 110 miles through Appalachia, stopping in communities across Kentucky, Virginia, and Tennessee. Along the route were towns still recovering from Hurricane Helene—homes damaged, families already stretched thin now facing a difficult winter. At each stop, hundreds of people waited in the cold as volunteers handed out winter gear, backpacks, and toys. The gifts weren’t just items; they were reassurance. The day before, a quiet indoor celebration was held for children with disabilities and sensory sensitivities, giving them one-on-one time with Santa in a calm, welcoming space. Together, these moments turned a train ride into something deeper: a reminder that when help is offered with care and dignity, it helps people feel seen—especially when they need it most.
On the edge of saving
On Christmas Day in Northern California, a couple and their two dogs narrowly escaped tragedy when their SUV spun out on an icy stretch of U.S. Route 50 and came to rest teetering over a steep embankment. Seeing the crash unfold, a man named Ruben Tala immediately stopped and ran toward the vehicle, calling for help. Within moments, several strangers joined him, forming a human chain to stabilize the SUV while a rope was secured to keep it from sliding further. Working together, they safely pulled the couple to safety—no serious injuries reported. On a dangerous road, in the middle of a winter storm, ordinary people chose courage—and saved a family’s Christmas.
GOOD NEWS FROM OUR COMMUNITY
... because the best news comes from one another.
“My son and my daughter in law came to visit for the holiday. I was able to have all my children together for quality time.”
The New Year Ritual That Sets the Tone for Energy and Glow ✨
January calls for rituals that actually make you feel amazing—and Pique’s Sun Goddess Matcha is mine. It delivers clean, focused energy with zero jitters, supports glowing skin and gentle detox, and feels deeply grounding. Smooth, ceremonial-grade, and crave-worthy, it’s the easiest way to start your day clear, energized, and glowing from the inside out.