Not everything that happened in 2017 was a total disaster. Sure, Donald Trump’s critics had to reach for the Maalox 365 times, and there were plenty of disasters (both manmade and from Mother Nature). But 2017 also provided some good moments.
If you needed proof, Barack Obama came through for you on Twitter.
On Friday, the former president who’s still the most admired man in the country tweeted a few reminders that the world wasn’t a complete disaster, mentioning Houston heroes, NFL player Chris Long, and a 10-year-old Chicagoan on a mission.
As we count down to the new year, we get to reflect and prepare for what’s ahead. For all the bad news that seemed to dominate our collective consciousness, there are countless stories from this year that remind us what's best about America.
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) December 29, 2017
Kat Creech, a wedding planner in Houston, turned a postponed wedding into a volunteer opportunity for Hurricane Harvey victims. Thirty wedding guests became an organization of hundreds of volunteers. That’s a story from 2017. https://t.co/yxhjwkr5Se
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) December 29, 2017
Chris Long gave his paychecks from the first six games of the NFL season to fund scholarships in Charlottesville, VA. He wanted to do more, so he decided to give away an entire season’s salary. That’s a story from 2017. https://t.co/NL0RoARkan
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) December 29, 2017
Ten-year-old Jahkil Jackson is on a mission to help homeless people in Chicago. He created kits full of socks, toiletries, and food for those in need. Just this week, Jahkil reached his goal to give away 5,000 “blessing bags.” That’s a story from 2017. https://t.co/muxPZnEGkd
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) December 29, 2017
All across America people chose to get involved, get engaged and stand up. Each of us can make a difference, and all of us ought to try. So go keep changing the world in 2018.
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) December 29, 2017
See, the world is not always such an awful place. Sometimes, as Obama points out, it can also be quite wonderful. That’s a good lesson to remember as we head into the new year where the slate is fresh and clean and a world of possibilities awaits.