Read on Twitter
Every day I am going to tweet about a random act of goodness that I witnessed or experienced, in no particular order. (1/?)
We once went to watch @ChicagoBears training camp in Bourbonnais. Staff saw that my bro-in-law is intellectually disabled. So they gave him a front-row VIP seat. Unprompted, Bears players walked over+delivered high-fives. People don't suck. We have many such experiences. (2/?)
Dr. David Ansell+I once encountered a large man w/mh challenge trying to hug a young Chinese tourist in Chicago. We extricated the young woman+David calmly explained to the man that he was scaring her. He resolved a scary situation safely+compassionately to all concerned (3/)
From a FB friend: "An unknown artist in Hartford, CT painted 100 paintings, and hid them all around the city for people to find (and keep) with a little note. One of my friends found one in the park." (4/)
(h/t @KoharJones) "I thanked a grocery worker for her essential work, noting we were depending on her to survive. She ran off+came back w/flowers+chocolate for me. I was confused, then realized I was wearing a hospital fleece w/my surgical mask. We depend on each other." (5/)
I once took my bro-in-law on a Hollywood mansion-gawking bus tour. 20min in, a man from an LDS tour group tapped me on the shoulder: "Hey there are 25 of us+two of you. If you need to take a break, use the restroom or whatever...we'll be happy to hang out with your friend." (6/)
(h/t Carla Keirns) Elementary kids’ birthday parties are adopting new tradition of Drive-by congratulations--often in the 3-6 year old set who appreciate the recognition of their special days by their communities. (7/)
(Tweeted b4) At 17, I took a subway beating from some kids who wanted a watch which was a gift from my gf. When I resisted, they smashed my head on concrete floor. A burly Irish cop appeared w/warm towel. He gently cleaned me up so my folks wouldn't see me bloody+freaked out (8/)
In 2008 I submitted essay to @theprospect about my wife's terrifying heart infection. Only 2 problems: 1. The piece was dreadful; 2. I was such a mess I didn't realize piece was too. Editors gently revised many drafts to make it passable, then good. https://prospect.org/features/lessons-er/ (9/)
When I joined @uchicago. I wanted a fancy home. Harris Bank's Turner James explained I was a bad loan risk. I had that angry "don't-you-know-who-I-am" response, but bought a cheaper house. Then my family experienced a financial crisis. I remain so grateful for his honesty. (10/)
When I left a movie on a rainy night, and noticed our daughter getting all wet while keeping her uncle happy and dry (11/)
Watched a video from last year of men+women living with intellectual disabilities assembling+delivering Meals on Wheels packages, doing their part to help disadvantaged people in their community. (12/)
I was riding around Chicago's Pullman neighborhood, and spotted this couple gardening. I asked if I could take their picture as part of a reminder calendar for seniors. They said yes. (13/)
Last year my mom sent me a new toothbrush because she worried that my old one might have become worn out (14/)
Years ago, my bro-in-law Vincent ran a Special Olympic race. He took off at the starter’s gun, only to see a panicked+overwhelmed competitor frozen at the starting line. Over his mom’s screaming protests, he ran back+took the girl's hand. They ran hand-in-hand the whole way (15/)
A morning shave (16/)
I should say that PEPFAR belongs on any goodness thread. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp1714773 A genuinely great achievement initiated by President George W Bush and pursued by a bipartisan coalition. It has saved millions of lives. (17/)
In 1995, I tagged along w/Rick Altice as he cared for PWID. A grimy homeless woman appeared. Rick sat next to her, pulled out an apple+split it w/a penknife. He handed her half+said: “Why don’t you share this with me?” As they ate, he conducted a beautiful clinical interview(18/)
Atlanta police officer uses hazard pay to buy tablets for needy students (19/) https://www.ajc.com/news/local/atlanta-officer-uses-hazard-pay-buy-students-tablets-for-school/8fVOBpkYQ6pEelKiNopcrN/
When I was a young grad student, I staffed a conference that featuring many luminaries. At lunch everyone crowded around the stars. I sat alone, intimidated+ill at ease. Sociologist Elijah Anderson walked over+sat down next to me: "How are you? Are you enjoying the day?" (20/)
Many years ago I mentioned to my young daughter that I wished I were muscular+athletic, like A-Rod. She said "Daddy, he has to be strong and fit to do his job as an athlete. So he weight-lifts+trains for that. You can do things he can't, because you have a different job."(21/)
Pete Simon— high-school popular-happy-energy-dude does a Bill-Murray-style act of kindness (22/). https://twitter.com/threadreaderapp/status/1248109035364155399?s=21 https://twitter.com/threadreaderapp/status/1248109035364155399
H/t @RSerranoBerthet for that last one!
Folk who take the time to write honest, specific, well-written+high-quality recommendation letters do much good in the world. I recommended @UChicagoSSA accept a student I otherwise would have recommended against because rec letter addressed an issue in the student's record (23/)
I loved played street ball. But at 5’6 & 126lbs, I had limitations. I once collided under the hoop+went down hard. I looked up to see 8 youth giving a “wtf” look to the one who collided w/me. I suddenly realized they all avoided physical play on me out of fear of hurting me (24/)
My dear departed friend Mark Kleiman's equanimity in the face of cancer also stays with me. Last time we spoke, he told me how grateful he was for his excellent care, particularly for the love+support—and kidney—he received from his sister Kelly. https://www.samefacts.com/on-not-fearing-death-a-case-study-with-reflections/ (25/)
"Dad who grew up without a father goes viral with helpful videos for kids who need advice." Some of the rest of us could use these tips, too. https://www.heart.co.uk/lifestyle/dad-videos-kids-advice-rob-kenney/ (26/)
2yrs ago, my bro-in-law needed to move back to our home after he was assaulted. Great cookies showed up at our front door, made by the family of my train buddy Nick Epley. Two @UChicago colleagues emailed that Vincent would be most welcome if I needed to bring him to work. (27/)
Years ago, I was doing public health work in a tough neighborhood. I left the meeting+walked around a bit+noticed a beefy guy who seemed to be watching me. "Do I know you?" I asked. "Mrs--- just asked me to keep an eye on you to make sure you got to your car safe." (28/)
