One of the most common comments I get to some of the previously published HeroicStories is “What happened after?” or “Where are they now?”.
Unfortunately I often don’t have the answer. One of the things that was lost in the transition last year was much of the correspondence between the previous publisher, the late Joyce Schowalter, and the original story contributors. As a result I often don’t have a way to reach out to them.
But I’ll certainly let you know if and when I hear any updates. I typically recommend that the original author leave a comment if they’re so willing.
I can share, however, that one of our original authors, Lauri Goff, who wrote one of our featured sample stories, Marshmallows and White Hoods, was interviewed on the radio recently about the story. You can hear Lauri on the first segment of the January 11th episode of The Sitting Room with Kathy Chiero, broadcast on WTVN radio in Columbus, Ohio, (and the internet, of course 🙂 ). It was great to hear her reminisce about her mother, and her memories of that day.
Speaking of hearing – have you been listening to the HeroicStories podcasts? Every Monday’s story is now available in audio form. It’s something I’m quite proud of, and I hope helps spread the HeroicStories message even more. Click here for more about the HeroicStories podcast.
On to this month’s HeroicStories, which included two brand new ones (did you notice? 🙂 ).
Dreams Sometimes Come True
A young man helps a friend and ends up with his own college education.
This story has the most “whatever happened to?” comments to date:
Bob Juch: “It’s now 12 years later. I’d like to read a followup. How are their careers going?”
Annette N: “Can you tell us how they are doing now?”
Cheryl: “This brought tears to my eyes. I, too,would like a follow up.”
As I said, if I hear anything I’ll certainly let you know.
The Gentleman at the Airport
A young woman trusts a gentleman at the airport and is able to visit her dying mother.
Robert says: “It has been my experience that both selfish and or selfless acts like this one, are contagious and influence others around them. Especially those within thier inner circle. I noticed he called his wife who agreed to allow her husband to not only, give up his time, but to sacrifice their time, that they would have shared together. Additionally she was willing to allow her husband’s safety to be at risk, while sacrificing her own piece of mind, for an absolute stranger!. Both of them are team heroes in my book. I would bet you can see and will see, similar asks of great kindness in the future, being done by others in their family. All because of their courageous examples.”
I agree, Robert. In fact it’s the very premise of HeroicStories that selfless acts and acts of everyday heroism are contagious, and it’s a “disease” we need to see more of.
Stranded
A group of caring travelers turn an act of rudeness into a heartwarming experience.
Art Yaffe asks: “It has been a long time, but is there any possibility that LA Transit has a record of the incident and whether or not any disciplinary action was taken?”
Kim adds: “I have the same question as Art. This story made me so angry that I feel the bus driver should either be penalized or fired for her lack of humanity. Maybe the writer could let us know what happened. By the way, the three people who helped the writer showed true compassion.”
Once again I have no follow-up to this one. But rather that focusing on the actions of the bus driver, and looking for some kind of retribution, I prefer to focus on what Kim added: the people who helped. They were the ones to remember in this story.
Julie’s Dogs
… in which a physician’s assistant goes above and beyond the call of duty.
Annette N comments: “People who are not pet owners may not understand how important an animal becomes to someone. Knowing that the cat or dog will be cared for and loved when the owner is no longer able, is very important. Abby gave a wonderful blessing to Julie and the two dogs. And I bet it helped her heart a great deal too.”
David adds: “As a fellow cancer sufferer and pet owner – I shouldn’t of read this story @ work. Tears rolling down the face freaked out my colleagues. Two saddest times in recent past were when my mother told me that “It’s terminal” and when I had to have our oldest cat put to sleep.”
Kyla contributes: “It’s rarely necessary to have a pet put down or sent to die in a shelter when someone is terminally ill or in hospice. Families should always check the internet or petfinder.com for an area rescue. They will take the animal, provide loving, safe foster care and find a new forever home. One of my pugs is from a terminally ill mom who couldn’t continue to care for him and wished for a home familiar with pugs, and my 16 year old cat’s original owner was going to have her put down when she herself died of cancer, so we took her in. The cat was six at the time; her mom died 2 weeks later, but Kali is still alive, spoiled and well. It’s been my experience that nearly every rescue has at least one or two foster homes that ‘specialize’ in older pets, handicapped pets, the ones left behind when a beloved owner dies, so your loved one’s pet will have a place when you’re gone.”
The Learning Tree
A church youth leader instills an important lessons through his caring actions.
Alice Perrault comments: “When it comes to young people, actions do speak louder than words. Everyone talks and talks ands talks to teenagers. I believe they tune it all out because they think they have better answers. It takes experience and the passing of time to teach them differently.”
Frank Doerger shares a quote from E.E.Howe: “A good scare is worth more to a man than good advice.”
So true.
Heroes were Everywhere
A woman meets hero after hero on a long drive from Florida to Texas… where everything goes wrong.
John P. shares: “This is just another example of why I like living in the mid-west. And this story is especially after reading all of the negative press lately about the Police. They really are there to help those who need help. It is the people who are out to cause trouble who scream about the police causing problems. Overall, I think most people really do care, but are afraid to ‘get involved’.”
Linda adds: “What an upper! It proves what I’ve always known: that good folks outnumber the others a hundred times over. It’s just too bad those others get all the press.”
Another Wet Puppy
A woman shows her true heart as racial fear grips her city.
Barbara says: “Discrimination hurts everyone. Best not judge a person because of the color of their skin. The woman showed true compassion and saw past the ethnicity of the man who needed help.”
Anonymous comments: “Beautiful story. If there is such a thing as karma, this lovely woman has earned enough to come back as an empress. Nothing like paying good luck forward. Hope they stayed friends.”
Music Man
A music teacher turns love of music into an important life lesson.
Cathy Gill comments: “Beautiful! Nothing is more inspiring than the teacher that takes the extra step to work with each child to help them acheive their goals, be it band or any other class that is their favorite. There is nothing more special than the teacher that always find the positive things in their students without finding ways to also demean their efforts also. I had a science teacher that felt I was unable to succeed at anything that may have been science related and it so angered me, that I took lots of science courses in high school and in college because my major was Dental assisting and required tons of science classes for graduation. I took everyone and did well in all of them. I want my teachers and all of the teachers today to remember that one negative remark can do untold damage to young children…”
Alicia adds: “It appears from your response that the negative attitude put a fire in you. I believe that is a special kind of encouragement because it comes from within. You wanted to succeed despite someone’s view of you. That is beautiful in it’s own right. But I agree, it best that teachers inspire rather than discourage.”
Remember: we need your stories! Check out the submission guidelines for more information.
We need your comments too! Be sure to be part of the conversation below each story – often the comments are a story unto themselves.
And finally, be sure and spread the word – HeroicStories need you to spread the word – “word of mouse” as I believe Joyce used to refer to it. Forward the stories, share on social media, and of course don’t forget about the podcast!
Another story coming soon.
Take care,
Leo Notenboom
Publisher