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Bus-Driving Granny Is Changing the World
A bus-driving granny who goes by "Miss Sparkles" is making the most out of every bus ride.
Welcome back to Faith & Joy, a 2x a week newsletter that makes you smile no matter how hard you try not to!
Hey everyone,
We've been treated to some pretty spectacular happenings in our night skies this season, and apparently, we're in for more. Would you believe me if I told you we've got yet another Super Moon on the horizon? More specifically, the Harvest Super Moon of 2023 is set to take place on September 29th. It’s a celestial encore of a luminous bow to bid farewell to the summer.
From the moon to the ocean, scientists serendipitously discovered the harmonious hums of blue whales while in a quest to detect nuclear bomb tests. The deep-sea melody was a sweet surprise from the universe, reminding us of the unseen wonders beneath the waves.
And speaking of sweet surprises, Lahaina's beloved Banyan tree in Hawaii is sprouting new life. This is relieving news, considering its future as a living tree wasn’t so sure just a few short weeks ago. The banyan tree is a symbol of the enduring spirit of nature, hope, and renewal.
If that doesn’t make you happy (and we’re not sure how that’s possible), let’s take you straight to the nation of happiness itself - Bhutan. The wild mountain village is celebrating the majestic snow leopard, which is making a triumphant return in record numbers and is a joyful sight for all wildlife enthusiasts.
Another sight that made its audience joyful was the uncovering of ancient treasure from a sunken Egyptian temple. It’s like a glittering whisper from the past, unveiling the mysteries and splendors of ancient civilizations. There’s plenty more good news where that came from just below. Enjoy! ❤️
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Today's Enjoyment:
Reel of the Day: This little boy is speaking absolute truth into his mom’s life.
Trending Loveable Stories:
3 Crocodiles Nudge Misfit Dog to Safety
Bus-Driving Granny Is Changing the World
Quote: “Everyone chases after happiness…”
Loveable Stories 📰
ANIMALS
In a remarkable display of unexpected behavior, 3 crocodiles in India’s Savitri River chose to guide a stray dog to safety instead of making it their lunch.
The young dog was trying to escape a pack of feral dogs and found itself surrounded by 3 crocodiles instead. Apparently, they could have “easily devoured it.” However, the crocodiles displayed no aggression.
In fact, they nudged the dog away from danger and safely guided it to the river bank away from the pack.
This extraordinary incident was documented in a report published in the Journal of Threatened Taxa by scientists who have been studying marsh crocodiles, or muggers, in Maharashtra, India. These researchers have observed that despite their intimidating size, with adult male muggers reaching up to 18 feet in length and weighing up to 1,000 pounds, these creatures do not always exhibit aggressive behavior.
The scientists described this incident as a display of 'cross-species empathy', a sentient behavior where the crocodiles were seen giving 'safe passage' to the dog.
Researchers are puzzled as to why the crocodiles opted to help the dog instead of seizing the opportunity for an easy meal.
Their hypothesis is that these crocodiles were demonstrating emotional intelligence and empathy, the ability to experience the emotional feelings of another species. This behavior, they suggest, is more in line with empathy than altruistic behavior, revealing a side of animal cognition in reptiles that has been largely underestimated.
In addition to this fascinating display of empathy, the researchers made another intriguing discovery. The crocodiles have a propensity for marigold flowers.
They were often observed maintaining physical contact with these flowers, known for their antimicrobial compounds, which can protect skin from fungi and bacteria. This novel behavior, especially in the context of the sewage contamination in the Savitri, is believed to be beneficial for the crocodiles and warrants further investigation.
OPTIMISM
Lori Brooks is affectionately known as "Miss Sparkles" by the children she drives to school in Michigan.
She is more than just a school bus driver. She is a lightning rod of positivity and kindness. She greets each child with a warm hug and a cheerful welcome, knowing every student not just by name but also by the names of their parents.
One parent, Teresa Weakley, made a video showing Brooks' utterly adorable interactions with the children on their 1st day back to school. The video reveals “Miss Sparkles’” unwavering “ray of sunshine” attitude and her incredible ability to make everyone feel special.
Miss Sparkles is also a cheerleader, a surrogate mom, and a giver of advice, providing a safe and loving environment for the children on her route. She has a keen ability to read facial expressions and can see when a child is struggling, offering a listening ear and support.
She believes in the value of every individual and strives to change the world a little at a time through her daily interactions, emphasizing that “Everybody has such value in this life.”
When her husband passed away unexpectedly in 2021, the families on her route rallied around her, offering meals, cards, and drawings from the kids, helping her through her grief. Despite her loss, Brooks only took a few days off, finding joy and healing in her job and the children she drives.
“My job brings me so much joy — these kids bring me so much joy. They’re helping me to heal,” she explained.
Miss Sparkles is not just helping herself heal but is also helping the children become the best versions of themselves by teaching them the value of kindness.
“I tell them that kindness is the cure for everything," she says, spreading her belief in the transformative power of kindness and positivity. Her story shows the impact one person can have, changing the world with love, kindness, and a sparkling personality.
Quote of the Day 💭
“Everyone chases after happiness, not noticing that happiness is at their heels.”
On This Day In History…🗿
Did you know that on this day in 1915, British barrister Cecil Chubb, with no intentions of owning a historical monument, made a whimsical and impulsive purchase at an auction?
He went there with the modest aim of buying dining chairs but ended up acquiring Stonehenge, the world-renowned prehistoric monument, along with its adjoining land for £6,600! Legend has it that this monumental acquisition was an impromptu gift for his wife, who, to his surprise, was less than thrilled, having hoped for something more practical, like a set of curtains.
This quirky piece of history didn’t stop at an unexpected gift.
Chubb’s ownership of Stonehenge was brief but impactful. In 1918, he generously donated the iconic monument to the nation, ensuring its preservation and making it accessible to the public. In recognition of his magnanimous gesture, he was knighted and earned the title of Sir Cecil Chubb, First Baronet of Stonehenge.
Today, this symbol of ancient heritage and mystery attracts millions of visitors from around the globe, to enlighten travelers to Britain's rich historical tapestry.
Other events on this day include…
1792 - The French monarchy was abolished, leading to the establishment of the First Republic.
1898 - Empress Dowager Cixi of China ends the Hundred Days' Reform, a failed 103-day national, cultural, political, and educational reform movement.
1922 - U.S. President Warren G. Harding signs a joint resolution of approval to establish a Jewish homeland in Palestine.
1937 - J. R. R. Tolkien's "The Hobbit" is published, introducing readers to a unique and detailed fantasy world.
1981 - Belize gains independence from the United Kingdom, becoming a sovereign nation.
2004 - Green Day releases "American Idiot," a punk rock opera criticizing U.S. politics and media.
Notable Birthdays:
1866 - H.G. Wells, a prolific English writer known for his works of science fiction, including "The War of the Worlds" and "The Time Machine," was born in Bromley, England.
1912 - Chuck Jones was an American animator, filmmaker, and cartoonist, best known for his work on the Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies series of animated shorts for Warner Bros. He was born in Spokane, Washington.
1931 - Larry Hagman was an American actor best known for his roles as J.R. Ewing in the television series "Dallas" and as Major Anthony Nelson in "I Dream of Jeannie." He was born in Fort Worth, Texas.
1934 - Leonard Cohen, was a renowned Canadian singer-songwriter, poet, and novelist, known for his deep and resonant voice and hits like "Hallelujah." He was born in Westmount, Quebec.
1947 - Stephen King is a prolific author of horror, supernatural fiction, suspense, and fantasy novels, with books like "The Shining" and "IT" defining the horror genre. Born in Portland, Maine.
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