I walked into work on a Friday morning and I looked at my computer screen at
and I looked at my computer screen at
and I looked at my computer screen at the Google News it was December 14th and
the Google News it was December 14th and
the Google News it was December 14th and what was looking back at me that day was
what was looking back at me that day was
what was looking back at me that day was one of the most horrifying things I had
one of the most horrifying things I had
one of the most horrifying things I had ever seen it was the day of the Sandy
ever seen it was the day of the Sandy
ever seen it was the day of the Sandy Hook elementary school shooting I stared
Hook elementary school shooting I stared
Hook elementary school shooting I stared at the screen and continued to refresh
at the screen and continued to refresh
at the screen and continued to refresh the button as it told us how many
the button as it told us how many
the button as it told us how many innocent children were being killed and
innocent children were being killed and
innocent children were being killed and as I watched my coworker came by my desk
as I watched my coworker came by my desk
as I watched my coworker came by my desk he had a coffee with him usually we
he had a coffee with him usually we
he had a coffee with him usually we would go together each morning to
would go together each morning to
would go together each morning to Starbucks but I had skipped that day and
Starbucks but I had skipped that day and
Starbucks but I had skipped that day and he started to talk to me and I was
he started to talk to me and I was
he started to talk to me and I was ignoring him looking at the screen and
ignoring him looking at the screen and
ignoring him looking at the screen and he said you should have come with me
he said you should have come with me
he said you should have come with me today and I mumbled back to him that I
today and I mumbled back to him that I
today and I mumbled back to him that I couldn’t afford it
couldn’t afford it
couldn’t afford it and he told me no it was free and I
and he told me no it was free and I
and he told me no it was free and I finally took my eyes off the screen and
finally took my eyes off the screen and
finally took my eyes off the screen and looked at him and was like what do you
looked at him and was like what do you
looked at him and was like what do you mean and he told me that a man had been
mean and he told me that a man had been
mean and he told me that a man had been in earlier he was buying gift cards for
in earlier he was buying gift cards for
in earlier he was buying gift cards for employees as it was around Christmastime
employees as it was around Christmastime
employees as it was around Christmastime and at the end he bought a hundred
and at the end he bought a hundred
and at the end he bought a hundred dollar gift card and told the barista to
dollar gift card and told the barista to
dollar gift card and told the barista to run it out on the line behind him and
run it out on the line behind him and
run it out on the line behind him and all of those people including my friend
all of those people including my friend
all of those people including my friend and co-worker got a free coffee that day
and co-worker got a free coffee that day
and co-worker got a free coffee that day and I was it was just such a cool thing
and I was it was just such a cool thing
and I was it was just such a cool thing I mean I had heard about stuff like this
I mean I had heard about stuff like this
I mean I had heard about stuff like this happening and acts of kindness but I
happening and acts of kindness but I
happening and acts of kindness but I never been directly impacted and the
never been directly impacted and the
never been directly impacted and the fact that I had happened to this friend
fact that I had happened to this friend
fact that I had happened to this friend he had had a really rough year and I
he had had a really rough year and I
he had had a really rough year and I could see on his face that he had just
could see on his face that he had just
could see on his face that he had just been really affected and he walked away
been really affected and he walked away
been really affected and he walked away from my desk and I picked up the phone
from my desk and I picked up the phone
from my desk and I picked up the phone to call my mother and I told her about
to call my mother and I told her about
to call my mother and I told her about the coffee story and then I quickly
the coffee story and then I quickly
the coffee story and then I quickly switched gears and started going on and
switched gears and started going on and
switched gears and started going on and on about how could something so terrible
on about how could something so terrible
on about how could something so terrible happen how could this shooting happen
happen how could this shooting happen
happen how could this shooting happen how was I going to babysit tonight I was
how was I going to babysit tonight I was
how was I going to babysit tonight I was babysitting for a family at the time who
babysitting for a family at the time who
babysitting for a family at the time who had a child that was also six years old
had a child that was also six years old
had a child that was also six years old and my mom listened and then finally
and my mom listened and then finally
and my mom listened and then finally politely interrupted me and she said
politely interrupted me and she said
politely interrupted me and she said Mary you gotta you gotta focus on that
Mary you gotta you gotta focus on that
Mary you gotta you gotta focus on that coffee story you just told me I mean
coffee story you just told me I mean
coffee story you just told me I mean what a cool thing you know there’s
what a cool thing you know there’s
what a cool thing you know there’s always going to be these horrible
always going to be these horrible
always going to be these horrible tragedies that happen in our lives and
tragedies that happen in our lives and
tragedies that happen in our lives and these terrible things but there’s always
these terrible things but there’s always
these terrible things but there’s always going to be more good out there and you
going to be more good out there and you
going to be more good out there and you just have to look for it
just have to look for it
just have to look for it the time my mother was battling her
the time my mother was battling her
the time my mother was battling her second round of cancer she had first
second round of cancer she had first
second round of cancer she had first been diagnosed when I was in seventh
been diagnosed when I was in seventh
been diagnosed when I was in seventh grade and when I heard the news I
grade and when I heard the news I
grade and when I heard the news I immediately thought she was going to die
immediately thought she was going to die
immediately thought she was going to die I think like a lot of us when we hear
I think like a lot of us when we hear
I think like a lot of us when we hear the word cancer we think this is it but
the word cancer we think this is it but
the word cancer we think this is it but she fought and she won and when it came
she fought and she won and when it came
she fought and she won and when it came back ten years later I was very naive in
back ten years later I was very naive in
back ten years later I was very naive in thinking it could possibly take her from
thinking it could possibly take her from
thinking it could possibly take her from me a few days later I got a text from
me a few days later I got a text from
me a few days later I got a text from one of my roommates she had been a bit
one of my roommates she had been a bit
one of my roommates she had been a bit over-served at the bar the evening
over-served at the bar the evening
over-served at the bar the evening before causing her to leave her
before causing her to leave her
before causing her to leave her cellphone on the bottom of the cab
cellphone on the bottom of the cab
cellphone on the bottom of the cab someone found it charged it because it
someone found it charged it because it
someone found it charged it because it was dead and they used the sory button
was dead and they used the sory button
was dead and they used the sory button to call our last contact they ended up
to call our last contact they ended up
to call our last contact they ended up returning it to our apartment that
returning it to our apartment that
returning it to our apartment that evening and when she was profusely
evening and when she was profusely
evening and when she was profusely thanking him and offering him some money
thanking him and offering him some money
thanking him and offering him some money he declined and said us New Yorkers got
he declined and said us New Yorkers got
he declined and said us New Yorkers got to stick together I thought about her
to stick together I thought about her
to stick together I thought about her story and then I started to think about
story and then I started to think about
story and then I started to think about the coffee guy and I began to wonder how
the coffee guy and I began to wonder how
the coffee guy and I began to wonder how many stories were out there like these
many stories were out there like these
many stories were out there like these ones how many acts of kindness existed
ones how many acts of kindness existed
ones how many acts of kindness existed that we weren’t getting to hear about
that we weren’t getting to hear about
that we weren’t getting to hear about more I met up with my friend Laura that
more I met up with my friend Laura that
more I met up with my friend Laura that night and we made a plan she had gone
night and we made a plan she had gone
night and we made a plan she had gone through a really bad breakup and I was
through a really bad breakup and I was
through a really bad breakup and I was having a lot of trouble coping with my
having a lot of trouble coping with my
having a lot of trouble coping with my mother’s illness so we decided we would
mother’s illness so we decided we would
mother’s illness so we decided we would start a project focusing on these
start a project focusing on these
start a project focusing on these stories we asked people to mail email
stories we asked people to mail email
stories we asked people to mail email acts of kindness stories in to us and
acts of kindness stories in to us and
acts of kindness stories in to us and she mentioned we could call the project
she mentioned we could call the project
she mentioned we could call the project the gratitude project with two T’s like
the gratitude project with two T’s like
the gratitude project with two T’s like attitude a way of life or behavior we
attitude a way of life or behavior we
attitude a way of life or behavior we created the Facebook page and we
created the Facebook page and we
created the Facebook page and we launched it on Valentine’s Day of 2013
launched it on Valentine’s Day of 2013
launched it on Valentine’s Day of 2013 11 days later my mother came into the
11 days later my mother came into the
11 days later my mother came into the city for what I thought would be a
city for what I thought would be a
city for what I thought would be a routine surgery a few hours later my
routine surgery a few hours later my
routine surgery a few hours later my father and I were sat down in a room and
father and I were sat down in a room and
father and I were sat down in a room and a doctor walked in and told us she had a
a doctor walked in and told us she had a
a doctor walked in and told us she had a few hours maybe days left to live it was
few hours maybe days left to live it was
few hours maybe days left to live it was the worst moment of my life in fact in
the worst moment of my life in fact in
the worst moment of my life in fact in that moment my father a man still very
that moment my father a man still very
that moment my father a man still very much in love with his wife as he was the
much in love with his wife as he was the
much in love with his wife as he was the day he married her 40 years earlier
day he married her 40 years earlier
day he married her 40 years earlier promptly passed out and I sat there the
promptly passed out and I sat there the
promptly passed out and I sat there the doctor looked at me
doctor looked at me
doctor looked at me and I stared back at him blankly the
and I stared back at him blankly the
and I stared back at him blankly the next few days consisted of family
next few days consisted of family
next few days consisted of family members arriving my sisters my brother
members arriving my sisters my brother
members arriving my sisters my brother aunts uncles cousins my grandmother all
aunts uncles cousins my grandmother all
aunts uncles cousins my grandmother all assembled into the waiting room at
assembled into the waiting room at
assembled into the waiting room at sloan-kettering in New York waiting
sloan-kettering in New York waiting
sloan-kettering in New York waiting and feeling pretty hopeless after the
and feeling pretty hopeless after the
and feeling pretty hopeless after the initial 24 hours I opened up my personal
initial 24 hours I opened up my personal
initial 24 hours I opened up my personal email to let work know I wouldn’t be in
email to let work know I wouldn’t be in
email to let work know I wouldn’t be in and I found an email from a family
and I found an email from a family
and I found an email from a family friend and I thought maybe she’s
friend and I thought maybe she’s
friend and I thought maybe she’s checking in with what’s going on and I
checking in with what’s going on and I
checking in with what’s going on and I opened up her email and it was a story
opened up her email and it was a story
opened up her email and it was a story she didn’t know the project email
she didn’t know the project email
she didn’t know the project email address so she had sent it into my
address so she had sent it into my
address so she had sent it into my personal email and the project at that
personal email and the project at that
personal email and the project at that point was the furthest thing from my
point was the furthest thing from my
point was the furthest thing from my mind but I read her story that day in
mind but I read her story that day in
mind but I read her story that day in the waiting room and I cried and then I
the waiting room and I cried and then I
the waiting room and I cried and then I shared it with my family the girl who
shared it with my family the girl who
shared it with my family the girl who had sent it to me had lost both of her
had sent it to me had lost both of her
had sent it to me had lost both of her parents and was an only child and had
parents and was an only child and had
parents and was an only child and had amazing jobs traveling the world doing
amazing jobs traveling the world doing
amazing jobs traveling the world doing great things and was always focusing on
great things and was always focusing on
great things and was always focusing on the experiences and kindness that she
the experiences and kindness that she
the experiences and kindness that she got to receive at the end of that week
got to receive at the end of that week
got to receive at the end of that week my mother passed away and in that moment
my mother passed away and in that moment
my mother passed away and in that moment I made a decision I wanted to do
I made a decision I wanted to do
I made a decision I wanted to do something to honor her I wanted to
something to honor her I wanted to
something to honor her I wanted to create something as a reminder of hope
create something as a reminder of hope
create something as a reminder of hope in these waiting rooms compile these
in these waiting rooms compile these
in these waiting rooms compile these stories I didn’t know exactly how or
stories I didn’t know exactly how or
stories I didn’t know exactly how or what I was going to do but I thought
what I was going to do but I thought
what I was going to do but I thought about what she had said to me on
about what she had said to me on
about what she had said to me on December 14th there’s always going to be
December 14th there’s always going to be
December 14th there’s always going to be more good out there you just have to
more good out there you just have to
more good out there you just have to look for it so I decided I would I would
look for it so I decided I would I would
look for it so I decided I would I would take her car and I would drive to every
take her car and I would drive to every
take her car and I would drive to every state in the country looking for good I
state in the country looking for good I
state in the country looking for good I would compile the stories into a book
would compile the stories into a book
would compile the stories into a book that I would then donate to a hospital
that I would then donate to a hospital
that I would then donate to a hospital waiting rooms I created a video on
waiting rooms I created a video on
waiting rooms I created a video on Facebook with one of my friends Jack who
Facebook with one of my friends Jack who
Facebook with one of my friends Jack who helped me out and I explained my mission
helped me out and I explained my mission
helped me out and I explained my mission and I asked people if they had an aunt
and I asked people if they had an aunt
and I asked people if they had an aunt in Texas or a cousin in Idaho or a
in Texas or a cousin in Idaho or a
in Texas or a cousin in Idaho or a college roommate in Pennsylvania that
college roommate in Pennsylvania that
college roommate in Pennsylvania that they thought would let me crash on their
they thought would let me crash on their
they thought would let me crash on their couch during my mission to help me
couch during my mission to help me
couch during my mission to help me budget and then I waited people started
budget and then I waited people started
budget and then I waited people started tagging friends emails started arriving
tagging friends emails started arriving
tagging friends emails started arriving texts poured in and I thought shoot I
texts poured in and I thought shoot I
texts poured in and I thought shoot I really have to do this now so on October
really have to do this now so on October
really have to do this now so on October 29th 2016 I packed up my old Subaru
29th 2016 I packed up my old Subaru
29th 2016 I packed up my old Subaru Outback that my mom used to drive with
Outback that my mom used to drive with
Outback that my mom used to drive with most of my life in it and I said goodbye
most of my life in it and I said goodbye
most of my life in it and I said goodbye to some family and friends and got on
to some family and friends and got on
to some family and friends and got on the orient point crosstown ferry for
the orient point crosstown ferry for
the orient point crosstown ferry for free thanks to the kindness of one of
free thanks to the kindness of one of
free thanks to the kindness of one of the men that works there named Andy the
the men that works there named Andy the
the men that works there named Andy the first night I stayed with complete
first night I stayed with complete
first night I stayed with complete strangers the girl had reached out to me
strangers the girl had reached out to me
strangers the girl had reached out to me via Facebook after she saw my video that
via Facebook after she saw my video that
via Facebook after she saw my video that I had shared she told me that she’d love
I had shared she told me that she’d love
I had shared she told me that she’d love to host me her and her fiance worked in
to host me her and her fiance worked in
to host me her and her fiance worked in the medical field and they made me a big
the medical field and they made me a big
the medical field and they made me a big steak dinner
steak dinner
steak dinner they invited their friends over so their
they invited their friends over so their
they invited their friends over so their friends could share some stories with me
friends could share some stories with me
friends could share some stories with me and put me up in their lovely guest room
and put me up in their lovely guest room
and put me up in their lovely guest room I had reached out to a cafe in the town
I had reached out to a cafe in the town
I had reached out to a cafe in the town asking them if they wouldn’t mind help
asking them if they wouldn’t mind help
asking them if they wouldn’t mind help spreading my mission and I would sit in
spreading my mission and I would sit in
spreading my mission and I would sit in their coffee shop and if they had
their coffee shop and if they had
their coffee shop and if they had customers that had stories they could
customers that had stories they could
customers that had stories they could come over and tell me
come over and tell me
come over and tell me but the cafe managers were away that
but the cafe managers were away that
but the cafe managers were away that week and when they got my email the last
week and when they got my email the last
week and when they got my email the last day I was there they wrote back and said
day I was there they wrote back and said
day I was there they wrote back and said we’re so sorry but if you could still
we’re so sorry but if you could still
we’re so sorry but if you could still come in you know we have something for
come in you know we have something for
come in you know we have something for you I stopped by that day and they came
you I stopped by that day and they came
you I stopped by that day and they came out with two big bags a bag of water and
out with two big bags a bag of water and
out with two big bags a bag of water and healthy snacks for me to have in the car
healthy snacks for me to have in the car
healthy snacks for me to have in the car and then another bag of their signature
and then another bag of their signature
and then another bag of their signature packaged coffee is about 20 bags of
packaged coffee is about 20 bags of
packaged coffee is about 20 bags of coffee that they explained were for me
coffee that they explained were for me
coffee that they explained were for me to give my hosts something to give back
to give my hosts something to give back
to give my hosts something to give back to them they weren’t just thinking of me
to them they weren’t just thinking of me
to them they weren’t just thinking of me they were thinking of the people that
they were thinking of the people that
they were thinking of the people that were also thinking of me too
were also thinking of me too
were also thinking of me too the next day I met with a woman at a
the next day I met with a woman at a
the next day I met with a woman at a coffee shop we sat down and she told me
coffee shop we sat down and she told me
coffee shop we sat down and she told me all about the kindness she had
all about the kindness she had
all about the kindness she had experienced from a nurse during her time
experienced from a nurse during her time
experienced from a nurse during her time in the ICU with her husband who had
in the ICU with her husband who had
in the ICU with her husband who had recently passed away she went on on and
recently passed away she went on on and
recently passed away she went on on and on about how great this woman had been
on about how great this woman had been
on about how great this woman had been to her and I thought it was just
to her and I thought it was just
to her and I thought it was just humbling to hear her speak I mean she
humbling to hear her speak I mean she
humbling to hear her speak I mean she was a widow now if three young daughters
was a widow now if three young daughters
was a widow now if three young daughters had just lost her high school sweetheart
had just lost her high school sweetheart
had just lost her high school sweetheart and she was able to sit there with a
and she was able to sit there with a
and she was able to sit there with a complete stranger and focus on all of
complete stranger and focus on all of
complete stranger and focus on all of this good I’ve driven to 22 states so
this good I’ve driven to 22 states so
this good I’ve driven to 22 states so far I’ve stayed in 74 different hosts
far I’ve stayed in 74 different hosts
far I’ve stayed in 74 different hosts homes elder couples and retirement
homes elder couples and retirement
homes elder couples and retirement communities 20-somethings people who
communities 20-somethings people who
communities 20-somethings people who don’t know me at all
don’t know me at all
don’t know me at all and leave a key under their flowerpot
and leave a key under their flowerpot
and leave a key under their flowerpot for me in case I arrive to their home
for me in case I arrive to their home
for me in case I arrive to their home before they get off of work I am greeted
before they get off of work I am greeted
before they get off of work I am greeted with open arms
with open arms
with open arms sometimes a glass of wine or a gas card
sometimes a glass of wine or a gas card
sometimes a glass of wine or a gas card or things that I might eat along the
or things that I might eat along the
or things that I might eat along the journey someone help me rotate my tires
journey someone help me rotate my tires
journey someone help me rotate my tires change my oil one person even got my car
change my oil one person even got my car
change my oil one person even got my car washed I began this journey with the
washed I began this journey with the
washed I began this journey with the knowledge that there was more good out
knowledge that there was more good out
knowledge that there was more good out there I knew what I wanted to prove but
there I knew what I wanted to prove but
there I knew what I wanted to prove but I have been blown away by what I’ve seen
I have been blown away by what I’ve seen
I have been blown away by what I’ve seen and experienced and it’s not to say that
and experienced and it’s not to say that
and experienced and it’s not to say that I haven’t seen the bad – I remember the
I haven’t seen the bad – I remember the
I haven’t seen the bad – I remember the third state on my journey was Maine and
third state on my journey was Maine and
third state on my journey was Maine and I arrived to Portland the Portland Press
I arrived to Portland the Portland Press
I arrived to Portland the Portland Press Herald helped me put a little article
Herald helped me put a little article
Herald helped me put a little article out there to connect to their community
out there to connect to their community
out there to connect to their community explaining my mission and telling people
explaining my mission and telling people
explaining my mission and telling people to reach out if they had a story a man
to reach out if they had a story a man
to reach out if they had a story a man mented underneath the article wow she
mented underneath the article wow she
mented underneath the article wow she must have got a lot of money from her
must have got a lot of money from her
must have got a lot of money from her dead mom must be nice to just drive
dead mom must be nice to just drive
dead mom must be nice to just drive around for fun and not have a job I
around for fun and not have a job I
around for fun and not have a job I remember that day sitting in my car
remember that day sitting in my car
remember that day sitting in my car holding my stomach and then 25 knots it
holding my stomach and then 25 knots it
holding my stomach and then 25 knots it usually is on this trip and crying and
usually is on this trip and crying and
usually is on this trip and crying and then I thought this man doesn’t know me
then I thought this man doesn’t know me
then I thought this man doesn’t know me he doesn’t know my mission he doesn’t
he doesn’t know my mission he doesn’t
he doesn’t know my mission he doesn’t know that this mission has been quite
know that this mission has been quite
know that this mission has been quite literally fueled by the kindness and
literally fueled by the kindness and
literally fueled by the kindness and support of strangers and family and
support of strangers and family and
support of strangers and family and friends who believe in what I’m doing
friends who believe in what I’m doing
friends who believe in what I’m doing and there’s been a few other issues too
and there’s been a few other issues too
and there’s been a few other issues too I’ve had some car issues of course but
I’ve had some car issues of course but
I’ve had some car issues of course but it’s safely tucked away right now I flew
it’s safely tucked away right now I flew
it’s safely tucked away right now I flew here it’s tucked away in a nice
here it’s tucked away in a nice
here it’s tucked away in a nice stranger’s home garage in Utah and it’s
stranger’s home garage in Utah and it’s
stranger’s home garage in Utah and it’s still still going I’ve also had a lot of
still still going I’ve also had a lot of
still still going I’ve also had a lot of anxiety due to the massive undertaking
anxiety due to the massive undertaking
anxiety due to the massive undertaking this journey is in itself and it’s
this journey is in itself and it’s
this journey is in itself and it’s caused quite a few health issues I
caused quite a few health issues I
caused quite a few health issues I actually arrived to my home in DC and my
actually arrived to my home in DC and my
actually arrived to my home in DC and my host house and I had been sick for the
host house and I had been sick for the
host house and I had been sick for the last few weeks at that point staying in
last few weeks at that point staying in
last few weeks at that point staying in stranger’s home sick isn’t always that
stranger’s home sick isn’t always that
stranger’s home sick isn’t always that fun and I thought I’d finally kicked it
fun and I thought I’d finally kicked it
fun and I thought I’d finally kicked it and I got to their home and we were
and I got to their home and we were
and I got to their home and we were getting ready to go out for New Year’s
getting ready to go out for New Year’s
getting ready to go out for New Year’s Eve and suddenly didn’t feel good again
Eve and suddenly didn’t feel good again
Eve and suddenly didn’t feel good again and I said you know what I’m just gonna
and I said you know what I’m just gonna
and I said you know what I’m just gonna stay in like please go to your party and
stay in like please go to your party and
stay in like please go to your party and they went and they came home 30 minutes
they went and they came home 30 minutes
they went and they came home 30 minutes early just to spend the New Year with me
early just to spend the New Year with me
early just to spend the New Year with me but I was in a bad place then I was
but I was in a bad place then I was
but I was in a bad place then I was feeling really low it was cold I was
feeling really low it was cold I was
feeling really low it was cold I was exhausted from the journey and moving
exhausted from the journey and moving
exhausted from the journey and moving and and I was discouraged because I
and and I was discouraged because I
and and I was discouraged because I tried to reach out to a lot of people in
tried to reach out to a lot of people in
tried to reach out to a lot of people in DC and the papers weren’t really picking
DC and the papers weren’t really picking
DC and the papers weren’t really picking up it was nearing the inauguration so
up it was nearing the inauguration so
up it was nearing the inauguration so they weren’t really they were very busy
they weren’t really they were very busy
they weren’t really they were very busy and my host had reached out to her own
and my host had reached out to her own
and my host had reached out to her own neighborhood and explained this girl was
neighborhood and explained this girl was
neighborhood and explained this girl was here if you want to meet her and tell
here if you want to meet her and tell
here if you want to meet her and tell you tell us story you know please stop
you tell us story you know please stop
you tell us story you know please stop by or email her and no one replied I
by or email her and no one replied I
by or email her and no one replied I figured DC is not a state so maybe I’ll
figured DC is not a state so maybe I’ll
figured DC is not a state so maybe I’ll use this time to catch up on my wedding
use this time to catch up on my wedding
use this time to catch up on my wedding photography business I had a lot of
photography business I had a lot of
photography business I had a lot of brides hounding me at the time and I
brides hounding me at the time and I
brides hounding me at the time and I thought maybe I’ll just focus on my work
thought maybe I’ll just focus on my work
thought maybe I’ll just focus on my work this week and on the last day in DC I
this week and on the last day in DC I
this week and on the last day in DC I got an email from a woman she was in the
got an email from a woman she was in the
got an email from a woman she was in the Peace Corps and she wanted to meet but
Peace Corps and she wanted to meet but
Peace Corps and she wanted to meet but she didn’t really explain if she had a
she didn’t really explain if she had a
she didn’t really explain if she had a story and I didn’t really know if she
story and I didn’t really know if she
story and I didn’t really know if she just wanted to talk and I was on a roll
just wanted to talk and I was on a roll
just wanted to talk and I was on a roll with my editing and I thought I don’t
with my editing and I thought I don’t
with my editing and I thought I don’t know I wasn’t very motivated but I
know I wasn’t very motivated but I
know I wasn’t very motivated but I figured I’ll just go
figured I’ll just go
figured I’ll just go and so I went to go meet her and I
and so I went to go meet her and I
and so I went to go meet her and I called an uber he was freezing and it
called an uber he was freezing and it
called an uber he was freezing and it just started to rain and I was just I
just started to rain and I was just I
just started to rain and I was just I was in the lowest the lowest place with
was in the lowest the lowest place with
was in the lowest the lowest place with my journey so far and I got in the back
my journey so far and I got in the back
my journey so far and I got in the back of the Ober and I sat there and I looked
of the Ober and I sat there and I looked
of the Ober and I sat there and I looked out the window and the uber driver asked
out the window and the uber driver asked
out the window and the uber driver asked oh are you visiting and I said yes and
oh are you visiting and I said yes and
oh are you visiting and I said yes and quietly kept looking out the window and
quietly kept looking out the window and
quietly kept looking out the window and he said Oh from where and I said New
he said Oh from where and I said New
he said Oh from where and I said New York and kept trying to cut the
York and kept trying to cut the
York and kept trying to cut the conversation short and he said how long
conversation short and he said how long
conversation short and he said how long did it take you to get here and I
did it take you to get here and I
did it take you to get here and I thought all right well he is not
thought all right well he is not
thought all right well he is not stopping so I finally told him it took
stopping so I finally told him it took
stopping so I finally told him it took me two months and he looked at me a
me two months and he looked at me a
me two months and he looked at me a little weird and said and I said well
little weird and said and I said well
little weird and said and I said well I’m stopping in every state along the
I’m stopping in every state along the
I’m stopping in every state along the way and I’m collecting these stories of
way and I’m collecting these stories of
way and I’m collecting these stories of acts of human kindness that I’m trying
acts of human kindness that I’m trying
acts of human kindness that I’m trying to put in a book and he turned around he
to put in a book and he turned around he
to put in a book and he turned around he said I have a story for you
said I have a story for you
said I have a story for you and I thought okay great let’s hear it
and I thought okay great let’s hear it
and I thought okay great let’s hear it you know and I tried to get motivated
you know and I tried to get motivated
you know and I tried to get motivated and back in my place and he told me that
and back in my place and he told me that
and back in my place and he told me that he had arrived in DC 20 years ago from
he had arrived in DC 20 years ago from
he had arrived in DC 20 years ago from Sierra Leone and when he got here he
Sierra Leone and when he got here he
Sierra Leone and when he got here he came with a friend and he had a place to
came with a friend and he had a place to
came with a friend and he had a place to stay but his friend did not it fell
stay but his friend did not it fell
stay but his friend did not it fell through and he ended up in a shelter and
through and he ended up in a shelter and
through and he ended up in a shelter and this friend had been a doctor back in
this friend had been a doctor back in
this friend had been a doctor back in Sierra Leone and he was in his shelter
Sierra Leone and he was in his shelter
Sierra Leone and he was in his shelter and he couldn’t get any work there in DC
and he couldn’t get any work there in DC
and he couldn’t get any work there in DC and he finally got a job doing a
and he finally got a job doing a
and he finally got a job doing a newspaper route and every day from 4:30
newspaper route and every day from 4:30
newspaper route and every day from 4:30 till 7:30 in the morning he would throw
till 7:30 in the morning he would throw
till 7:30 in the morning he would throw newspapers on the lawns of wealthy
newspapers on the lawns of wealthy
newspapers on the lawns of wealthy homeowners in Georgetown one morning he
homeowners in Georgetown one morning he
homeowners in Georgetown one morning he was throwing the paper and he wasn’t
was throwing the paper and he wasn’t
was throwing the paper and he wasn’t paying attention and he hit the security
paying attention and he hit the security
paying attention and he hit the security lamp on one of the lawns and it broke it
lamp on one of the lawns and it broke it
lamp on one of the lawns and it broke it and it was 4:30 in the morning and it
and it was 4:30 in the morning and it
and it was 4:30 in the morning and it was dark out and you know he could have
was dark out and you know he could have
was dark out and you know he could have just walked away and and he went and he
just walked away and and he went and he
just walked away and and he went and he found a paper and a pen and he left a
found a paper and a pen and he left a
found a paper and a pen and he left a note on the man’s door and he said I’m
note on the man’s door and he said I’m
note on the man’s door and he said I’m sorry for the accident but I’ll be back
sorry for the accident but I’ll be back
sorry for the accident but I’ll be back to pay and a few hours later when he
to pay and a few hours later when he
to pay and a few hours later when he returned that man was just getting home
returned that man was just getting home
returned that man was just getting home from a business trip he had already seen
from a business trip he had already seen
from a business trip he had already seen the note and when the guy arrived she
the note and when the guy arrived she
the note and when the guy arrived she invited him in and he offered him a cup
invited him in and he offered him a cup
invited him in and he offered him a cup of coffee and they started talking and
of coffee and they started talking and
of coffee and they started talking and he found out that this man had traveled
he found out that this man had traveled
he found out that this man had traveled here and he used to be a doctor and he
here and he used to be a doctor and he
here and he used to be a doctor and he was struggling and long story short he
was struggling and long story short he
was struggling and long story short he ended up putting this man up in a studio
ended up putting this man up in a studio
ended up putting this man up in a studio apartment and putting him through
apartment and putting him through
apartment and putting him through Medical School my drivers friend is now
Medical School my drivers friend is now
Medical School my drivers friend is now a doctor in DC I
sat in the back of that car that day and
sat in the back of that car that day and was didn’t know what had just happened I
was didn’t know what had just happened I
was didn’t know what had just happened I was in the lowest place possible in this
was in the lowest place possible in this
was in the lowest place possible in this beautiful inspiring story had just
beautiful inspiring story had just
beautiful inspiring story had just landed right in my lap and and he kept
landed right in my lap and and he kept
landed right in my lap and and he kept talking and he told me you know it’s
talking and he told me you know it’s
talking and he told me you know it’s it’s because he did the right thing
it’s because he did the right thing
it’s because he did the right thing he did the right thing with his heart he
he did the right thing with his heart he
he did the right thing with his heart he didn’t have to leave that note he could
didn’t have to leave that note he could
didn’t have to leave that note he could have walked away but he didn’t and he
have walked away but he didn’t and he
have walked away but he didn’t and he pulled up to the curb and he turned
pulled up to the curb and he turned
pulled up to the curb and he turned around and he looked right at me and he
around and he looked right at me and he
around and he looked right at me and he said it’s just like what you’re doing
said it’s just like what you’re doing
said it’s just like what you’re doing the most important work you’ll ever do
the most important work you’ll ever do
the most important work you’ll ever do is the work you do with your heart and
is the work you do with your heart and
is the work you do with your heart and then he turned back around and said have
then he turned back around and said have
then he turned back around and said have a nice day and started to drive away and
a nice day and started to drive away and
a nice day and started to drive away and I got out with tears rolling down my
I got out with tears rolling down my
I got out with tears rolling down my cheeks and had to completely compose
cheeks and had to completely compose
cheeks and had to completely compose myself before I went into the coffee
myself before I went into the coffee
myself before I went into the coffee shop that day people asked me how I’m
shop that day people asked me how I’m
shop that day people asked me how I’m doing what I’m doing and the answer is
doing what I’m doing and the answer is
doing what I’m doing and the answer is because I can the thing is we all have
because I can the thing is we all have
because I can the thing is we all have an important role we just have to figure
an important role we just have to figure
an important role we just have to figure out what it is I can drive around
out what it is I can drive around
out what it is I can drive around hearing these beautiful stories and
hearing these beautiful stories and
hearing these beautiful stories and seeking out the good because I’ve seen
seeking out the good because I’ve seen
seeking out the good because I’ve seen it I’ve experienced it but it’s not as
it I’ve experienced it but it’s not as
it I’ve experienced it but it’s not as easy for me to walk into a hospital and
easy for me to walk into a hospital and
easy for me to walk into a hospital and donate my kidney to a complete stranger
donate my kidney to a complete stranger
donate my kidney to a complete stranger as in Virginia Beach where I met a woman
as in Virginia Beach where I met a woman
as in Virginia Beach where I met a woman who did such a thing she was sitting in
who did such a thing she was sitting in
who did such a thing she was sitting in a class one day listening to her
a class one day listening to her
a class one day listening to her students speak she overheard one of the
students speak she overheard one of the
students speak she overheard one of the students talk about how her aunt was on
students talk about how her aunt was on
students talk about how her aunt was on dialysis and needed a kidney that day
dialysis and needed a kidney that day
dialysis and needed a kidney that day after school she went to the hospital
after school she went to the hospital
after school she went to the hospital she got tested and she was a match a few
she got tested and she was a match a few
she got tested and she was a match a few weeks later she donated her kidney to
weeks later she donated her kidney to
weeks later she donated her kidney to her students aunt a woman she had never
her students aunt a woman she had never
her students aunt a woman she had never even met before the thing is the
even met before the thing is the
even met before the thing is the smallest acts of kindness are sometimes
smallest acts of kindness are sometimes
smallest acts of kindness are sometimes the most impactful I met a woman in
the most impactful I met a woman in
the most impactful I met a woman in Santa Fe who was at a grocery store once
Santa Fe who was at a grocery store once
Santa Fe who was at a grocery store once she told me about a man she had seen who
she told me about a man she had seen who
she told me about a man she had seen who looked a little sad she smiled at him
looked a little sad she smiled at him
looked a little sad she smiled at him and a few minutes later when she was
and a few minutes later when she was
and a few minutes later when she was packing up her groceries he walked over
packing up her groceries he walked over
packing up her groceries he walked over and he handed her a candy bar and
and he handed her a candy bar and
and he handed her a candy bar and thanked her simply because she had
thanked her simply because she had
thanked her simply because she had smiled at him it makes you wonder how
smiled at him it makes you wonder how
smiled at him it makes you wonder how many of us are out there that haven’t
many of us are out there that haven’t
many of us are out there that haven’t even been noticed or smiled at at all
even been noticed or smiled at at all
even been noticed or smiled at at all lately
lately
lately that would be so impacted by such a
that would be so impacted by such a
that would be so impacted by such a small act to think that all we have to
small act to think that all we have to
small act to think that all we have to do is change our facial expression to
do is change our facial expression to
do is change our facial expression to make a difference in another person’s
make a difference in another person’s
make a difference in another person’s life it’s that easy I was in Casper
life it’s that easy I was in Casper
life it’s that easy I was in Casper Wyoming a few days ago and
Wyoming a few days ago and
Wyoming a few days ago and talking to a man and he told me his
talking to a man and he told me his
talking to a man and he told me his father always said just look for the one
father always said just look for the one
father always said just look for the one good thing in a person and focus on that
good thing in a person and focus on that
good thing in a person and focus on that imagine if we could do that there was a
imagine if we could do that there was a
imagine if we could do that there was a moment during my journey where I
moment during my journey where I
moment during my journey where I couldn’t find a host in one of the
couldn’t find a host in one of the
couldn’t find a host in one of the states I met a man on the street one day
states I met a man on the street one day
states I met a man on the street one day and we started talking and he said I
and we started talking and he said I
and we started talking and he said I know a great girl there I’ll give you
know a great girl there I’ll give you
know a great girl there I’ll give you her number I got her number and I talked
her number I got her number and I talked
her number I got her number and I talked to her for 20 minutes that afternoon she
to her for 20 minutes that afternoon she
to her for 20 minutes that afternoon she gave me the lock code to her home and
gave me the lock code to her home and
gave me the lock code to her home and she told me I could stay as long as I
she told me I could stay as long as I
she told me I could stay as long as I needed to and she would help me with my
needed to and she would help me with my
needed to and she would help me with my project collecting stories when I
project collecting stories when I
project collecting stories when I arrived there I began chatting with her
arrived there I began chatting with her
arrived there I began chatting with her and I asked her how did you know this
and I asked her how did you know this
and I asked her how did you know this guy that recommended you thinking maybe
guy that recommended you thinking maybe
guy that recommended you thinking maybe they were highschool friends or college
they were highschool friends or college
they were highschool friends or college friends she told me she didn’t I looked
friends she told me she didn’t I looked
friends she told me she didn’t I looked at her a little weird and she said well
at her a little weird and she said well
at her a little weird and she said well I met him on tinder
I met him on tinder
I met him on tinder we both swiped right but we never met in
we both swiped right but we never met in
we both swiped right but we never met in person and I thought feels a little
person and I thought feels a little
person and I thought feels a little dangerous but we had an amazing week
dangerous but we had an amazing week
dangerous but we had an amazing week together she was an incredible person
together she was an incredible person
together she was an incredible person and we got to know each other and I came
and we got to know each other and I came
and we got to know each other and I came to find out that she had a really really
to find out that she had a really really
to find out that she had a really really bad upbringing and there was a few years
bad upbringing and there was a few years
bad upbringing and there was a few years of her life where she was addicted to
of her life where she was addicted to
of her life where she was addicted to meth and she had come out of it she had
meth and she had come out of it she had
meth and she had come out of it she had an amazing job now she was passionate
an amazing job now she was passionate
an amazing job now she was passionate about her work and incredibly smart and
about her work and incredibly smart and
about her work and incredibly smart and I sat there and I thought
I sat there and I thought
I sat there and I thought had I known that she was swiping right
had I known that she was swiping right
had I known that she was swiping right on this random guy that I barely knew on
on this random guy that I barely knew on
on this random guy that I barely knew on tinder or that she had been a meth
tinder or that she had been a meth
tinder or that she had been a meth addict I would have never stayed with
addict I would have never stayed with
addict I would have never stayed with her but because I didn’t have the
her but because I didn’t have the
her but because I didn’t have the opportunity to judge that because all I
opportunity to judge that because all I
opportunity to judge that because all I knew was a 20-minute conversation where
knew was a 20-minute conversation where
knew was a 20-minute conversation where she was extremely kind and trusting and
she was extremely kind and trusting and
she was extremely kind and trusting and welcomed me welcome to me in her home
welcomed me welcome to me in her home
welcomed me welcome to me in her home and her smile I had an amazing
and her smile I had an amazing
and her smile I had an amazing experience it is nearly impossible to
experience it is nearly impossible to
experience it is nearly impossible to condense the last 11 months of driving
condense the last 11 months of driving
condense the last 11 months of driving across the u.s. and staying in strangers
across the u.s. and staying in strangers
across the u.s. and staying in strangers homes but if I can leave you with one
homes but if I can leave you with one
homes but if I can leave you with one thing today it is that there is a lot of
thing today it is that there is a lot of
thing today it is that there is a lot of hope in America there is an unfathomable
hope in America there is an unfathomable
hope in America there is an unfathomable amount of kindness that I have seen and
amount of kindness that I have seen and
amount of kindness that I have seen and when we put our fears aside when we
when we put our fears aside when we
when we put our fears aside when we connect to strangers when we smile at
connect to strangers when we smile at
connect to strangers when we smile at the people next to us are put away our
the people next to us are put away our
the people next to us are put away our judgments it opens up a door into an
judgments it opens up a door into an
judgments it opens up a door into an entirely different way of life small
entirely different way of life small
entirely different way of life small acts are doable we are all capable of
acts are doable we are all capable of
acts are doable we are all capable of them and some of the smallest acts can
them and some of the smallest acts can
them and some of the smallest acts can have the largest impact on someone
have the largest impact on someone
have the largest impact on someone else’s life whether it’s buying a coffee
else’s life whether it’s buying a coffee
else’s life whether it’s buying a coffee for a stranger or helping someone on the
for a stranger or helping someone on the
for a stranger or helping someone on the side of the road or
side of the road or
side of the road or smiling or donating a kidney these are
smiling or donating a kidney these are
smiling or donating a kidney these are all moments where our heart is at work
all moments where our heart is at work
all moments where our heart is at work and like the uber driver told me in DC
and like the uber driver told me in DC
and like the uber driver told me in DC that day at a time during this journey
that day at a time during this journey
that day at a time during this journey where I needed to hear it more than I
where I needed to hear it more than I
where I needed to hear it more than I can explain to you now the most
can explain to you now the most
can explain to you now the most important work we’ll ever do is the work
important work we’ll ever do is the work
important work we’ll ever do is the work we do with our heart
we do with our heart
we do with our heart [Applause]
”
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