Teachers share their sweetest gifts from students and it's a moving lesson in generosity

Some of the most precious gifts come straight from the heart. A former teacher shared an incredible story of a student's selflessness, generosity and thoughtfulness. Nine years ago, the student didn't have a Christmas gift for her, so he opened up a pack of crayons, gave her the purple one, and said "I hope you love it, I know it's your favorite color." Flex those love muscles; share stories that show you care and recognize heartfelt gestures with admiration 😊

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Man Breaks Down in Tears While Fulfilling Special Role at Sister's Wedding After Father's Death

Guy Lawler didn’t just show up to his sister’s wedding—he stepped into their late father’s shoes. In a viral moment shared on Instagram, Guy could be seen breaking down in tears as he turned to see his sister, Demi Lawler, dressed in her wedding gown. The two embraced tightly in what they called their private “first look,” a tradition made more meaningful by the absence of their dad, Andrew Lawler, who died in 2014 at age 45. “Stepping into my dad’s role for a little sister’s wedding after he passed away from depression,” Guy wrote in onscreen text, overlaying the clip. In the caption, he added: “We made it through.” The wedding took place on the South Coast of Australia, and the video—also shared by celebrant Chelsea Lawler—struck a chord online. “She may not have her dad here to see her as a bride,” Chelsea wrote, “but she has her brother, the one who knows her heart, protects her fiercely, and carries a piece of their dad with him always.” Speaking to PEOPLE, Guy described the moment as “magic.” “Having that special moment on video means the world to me and my sister,” he said. “I’ve watched it almost every day since the wedding.” He explained that the bond they share is one where “we kind of just ‘get it’ with a single look toward each other.” That closeness, he added, has been part of his life since their father’s passing. “There has always been this weight since being a young adult of mentoring or just guiding and being there for my sisters,” Guy said. “Not a responsibility they have asked me to have, but one I have felt I need to own.” That sense of guardianship was on full display at the wedding. While their “very proactive and caring mother” and “supportive stepfather” filled other roles that day, Guy’s job was the one that might’ve gone to their dad: the emotional first look. “My sister wanted the closest thing to her dad, which is me, her brother, to fulfill that special part of the day,” he said. He also gave a speech during the celebration, which turned out to be more heartfelt than polished. What was meant to be a short three-minute toast stretched to eight as he paused through tears. Guy has since turned his personal loss into a mission. He’s the founder of The Future Self Coach, a coaching business that, according to him, was inspired by his father’s death and is designed to help others “show up for their future self, through the vessel of health and fitness.” At its core, the moment captured on video wasn’t just about a brother and sister. It was about loss, love, and the quiet, powerful ways people step up for each other when it matters most.

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Sauna, Snow, and Stories: The Steamy West Yorkshire Book Club Making Reading Cool Again

Book lovers in West Yorkshire are turning up the heat — literally — with a book club that swaps cosy armchairs for a sauna and cold plunge. Set in the hillside above Hebden Bridge, the iglu book club has become one of the most unconventional reading groups in the UK. Each month, members strip down to swimsuits, step into a Nordic-style sauna, and dive into their latest literary discussion — followed by a bracing cold-water dip. The result? A mix of hot debate, freezing refreshment, and shared love for stories that’s quickly built a devoted following. “It’s really special,” said organiser Shekina Rose. “Going from the hot to the cold adds something that feels really good for your body and your mind.” The idea may sound extreme, but participants say the cycle of heat, cold, and conversation makes for a surprisingly immersive experience. “Sometimes we get so excited about what we’re talking about that it feels hotter than it would usually,” Rose said. One of the recent selections, The Driver’s Seat by Muriel Spark, sparked particularly passionate debate. “The conversation about that was really intense,” she added. “When you’re not talking about things like that, you’re able to be a bit more meditative.” Author and club host Rozie Kelly said the group began as “a bit of an experiment” when it launched in September. “I love books and I love saunas and I really wanted to meet some interesting people and have discussions,” she said. “The result has surpassed my expectations.” With the sauna sessions nestled in nature and often accompanied by a walk to the site, many said the club offers an unusual but welcome antidote to daily life. Book club member Jo Harris called the mix of reading and contrast therapy a perfect escape. “The whole health benefits of doing the sauna and followed by the cold plunge and then adding in a bit of book chat just makes it that bit more fun.” For Rose, the club’s rhythm has been a nudge toward better habits. “Everyone’s lives are so busy nowadays and I’m not very good at reading at home,” she admitted. “So this is forcing me to read things — and also different genres, which has been great.” The walk up to the sauna, the view, the discussions, the freezing water — it all adds up to something that’s not just about books. “It’s extremely wholesome,” she said. It’s part spa, part salon, and part hiking trail — and for those involved, it’s making reading feel less like a chore and more like a full-body reset.

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How to Shop for Healthy Food Without Feeling Overwhelmed

Walking into a grocery store with the intention of eating healthier can feel like a good first step. But with endless aisles, loud packaging, and time pressures, it’s easy to fall back on old habits. That doesn’t mean you have to buy expensive foods, ditch entire sections of the store, or aim for perfection. According to Leslie Bonci, a registered sports dietitian and founder of Active Eating Advice, it’s about making simple, informed choices. “It comes down to understanding how grocery stores are organized, knowing which foods deliver the most nutritional value and having a flexible plan that works in real life,” she says. Start with a Plan — and a Short List Before you even walk in, it helps to know what you’re there for. Yasi Ansari, a registered dietitian and certified specialist in sports dietetics, suggests starting with a grocery list based on a few meals you know you’ll enjoy and actually eat. That kind of light planning, she says, helps keep you focused and prevents you from grabbing things that won’t support your needs later in the week. Build Around Whole Foods First Once inside the store, Ansari recommends starting at the perimeter — where produce, dairy, and meats are usually stocked — and focusing on whole foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, nuts, and healthy fats. “Start in the produce section and build your cart around whole foods,” she says. Fresh produce is great, but it’s not the only option. Apples, pears, citrus fruits, onions, and potatoes tend to last longer. Frozen fruits and vegetables are equally nutritious and often cheaper. Bonci says they’re also great for avoiding food waste on busy weeks — especially in meals like stir-fries, soups, and smoothies. She also suggests looking for options that save time, like pre-chopped vegetables or bagged salads. “Pre-chopped vegetables and bagged salad mixes can be great time-savers,” she says. Don’t Skip the Protein Eggs, tofu, chicken, yogurt, peanut butter, lentils, and ground turkey are all practical, affordable protein staples that can be used in different ways throughout the week. Bonci says canned beans and tuna are especially handy, offering protein and fiber with little prep time. Frozen fish like salmon or shrimp is another smart pick: nutritious, budget-friendly, and long-lasting. Whole Grains and Dairy Staples Grains like oats, brown rice, whole-wheat bread, tortillas, crackers, and bran cereals bring fiber and energy, plus key nutrients like B vitamins and iron. In the dairy aisle, milk, cottage cheese, and yogurt offer both calcium and protein. Plant-based eaters can look to soy milk, which has a protein profile most similar to dairy. Buying bigger containers can help save money, says Bonci — especially for families or daily yogurt eaters. The Trickiest Aisles (and How to Handle Them) No aisle in the store is off-limits, but some deserve a bit more caution. The checkout lane is one of the worst offenders. It’s packed with candy, sugary drinks, and impulse snacks designed to trigger quick hits of pleasure — not long-term satisfaction. The bakery and frozen dessert sections can be equally tricky. While the treats are often marketed as “fresh” or “convenient,” they usually pack in a lot of sugar and calories with very little nutrition. Center aisles labeled snacks, candy, or beverages are where most ultra-processed foods live — think sugary cereals, pastries, cookies, chips, and soft drinks. These products are engineered to be hard to stop eating, with lots of refined carbs, added sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats — and very little actual nourishment. But Ansari cautions against assuming all shelf-stable items are bad. “Many shelf-stable items are located in the middle of the store and still offer valuable nutrition and accessibility,” she says, “especially for people managing tight budgets, limited time or cultural food preferences.” Labels Over Layout The real key is knowing how to read nutrition labels, understanding ingredients, and being aware of how your cart shapes your habits. “Health isn’t defined by any one food or which aisle it comes from,” Ansari says. “It’s shaped by the overall variety and balance in how we choose to eat over time.” In other words, you don’t have to avoid the cookie aisle forever — but you also don’t need to live in it.

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St. Louis Man Uses Own Money To Clear Snow-Covered Streets, Gains Online Praise

A man in St. Louis is earning widespread praise after taking snow removal into his own hands — literally. Kenneth Harrell doesn’t live in the snow-covered neighborhood he helped dig out. But when he saw how badly the streets were iced over and how stuck people were, he didn’t wait around for the city to do something. He rented a Bobcat-style skid steer loader for about $500 and got to work. “Originally we were putting out a crew to hand shovel and we were charging for sidewalks,” Harrell told KSDK. “It just didn’t make sense to me that people could get out of the house, but not off the street.” Instead of making money, he offered help for free. For several days, Harrell cleared narrow streets that plows hadn’t reached, using the compact machine to carve paths through packed snow and ice. As word got around, neighbors started sharing videos of him in action. Some said they’d heard rumors of “someone with a skid steer” quietly showing up to help before seeing it for themselves. Even business owners took notice. Karen Wiley Vails, who runs a local restaurant, messaged Harrell asking for help clearing her parking area. He got back to her right away. “He inboxed me today and I said, ‘I’ll be there,’” she told reporters. “And I said yay — this is what community looks like.” City officials didn’t seem to mind either. When asked if it was legal for residents to do their own snow removal, St. Louis Streets Commissioner Kent Flake said, “I mean, if they’re helping, I’m not going to tell them no.” Harrell didn’t do it for attention. He says he simply felt connected to the neighborhood and knew how much a clear street could mean for people trying to get to work, pick up groceries, or just get out safely. Now, thanks to his quiet decision to act, the community is moving again. And Kenneth Harrell is being hailed as a hometown hero — no cape required.

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Kyle the Cat Graduates from Rabies Quarantine With Cap, Gown—and a New Lease on Life

After surviving a coyote attack and spending six months in rabies quarantine, a resilient orange tabby named Kyle has officially graduated—and he did it in style. The two-year-old domestic shorthair, who was brought to the San Diego Humane Society’s Escondido Campus on July 27, 2025, following a coyote attack, marked the end of his mandatory isolation with a quirky, heartfelt celebration thrown by staff. “Kyle’s resilience has been remarkable,” said Rebecca Smith, the shelter’s Associate Director of Guest Relations and Animal Placement. “From learning to play with enrichment toys, to enjoying window time and treats, he’s shown us he’s a fighter.” Kyle had been rescued by a community member who witnessed the attack and rushed him in for emergency care. He suffered injuries to his neck and chest but survived the ordeal. Because coyotes are considered potential rabies carriers, California law requires that any pet they bite must undergo a six-month quarantine. But Kyle wasn’t left alone. To keep his spirits high during the long wait, staff gave him an upgraded setup: a large enclosure inside Smith’s office, where he had company, toys, and a window view. When his quarantine officially ended, staff went all out to celebrate. Kyle wore a tiny graduation cap and gown, and the party featured cupcakes with his face on them, a Kyle-themed trivia game, and a crochet version of Kyle as the top prize. Now cleared for adoption, Kyle is ready for the next chapter. Though he’s described as a “cuddle enthusiast,” he also enjoys leisurely indoor strolls in his personal enclosed stroller, greeting admirers as he goes. The Humane Society praised Kyle’s recovery as a testament to the power of compassionate care. His story is more than just survival—it’s about second chances and the people who make them possible.

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Dinosaur Fossils Unearthed Beneath Parking Lot at Dinosaur National Monument

Sometimes, the name really does say it all. While working on a routine construction project at Dinosaur National Monument last fall, crews uncovered exactly what the name promises: actual dinosaur fossils—several hundred million years old and just inches below the surface. On September 16, 2025, workers were removing asphalt from a parking lot just east of the Quarry Exhibit Hall in Utah when they stumbled upon a massive shin bone embedded in sandstone. It was the first fossil discovery from that part of the park since 1924. As soon as paleontologists with the National Park Service took a closer look, the dig quickly turned into a major find. Over the next month, the team uncovered 14 tail vertebrae, multiple limb bones, and even a few toes—likely from a large, long-necked sauropod, possibly from the Diplodocus genus, which roamed North America around 150 million years ago during the Late Jurassic Period. “There’s still more in the ground,” said ReBecca Hunt-Foster, the park’s lead paleontologist, who expects the skeleton could be “reasonably complete.” The dig paused for winter, but excavations will resume in the spring once weather conditions improve. In total, around 3,000 pounds of fossil and rock were removed between mid-September and mid-October. Most of the remains are now being studied and cleaned at the Utah Field House of Natural History, but some are already on display at the nearby Quarry Exhibit Hall. The parking lot itself sits on a historic dig site once explored by Earl Douglass, who led early fossil excavations for the Carnegie Museum of Natural History over a century ago. “So many people have been driving over [the dinosaur] for decades,” Hunt-Foster told the Denver Gazette. “It was just right underneath the surface.” This isn’t the first time a routine dig has unearthed dino history. In early 2025, a vertebra was found 763 feet beneath the Denver Museum of Nature and Science during a core sample collection. But Dinosaur National Monument remains one of the most fossil-rich locations in the U.S., split across 210,000 acres between eastern Utah and western Colorado. The site’s rich sediment layers, known as the Morrison Formation, have preserved countless bones and plant imprints from when the region was a lush, river-laced ecosystem. Though many of the dinosaurs preserved here likely died in ancient droughts, it wasn’t until the early 20th century that their remains began to be unearthed and studied. Now, more than 100 years later, even the parking lot is part of the story. “It just goes to show you never know what’s right under your feet,” Hunt-Foster said.

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NASA’s Artemis 2 Spacesuits: Bright, Bold, and Built for the Ride Around the Moon

NASA’s Artemis program is aiming for something the U.S. hasn’t done since the Apollo era: send astronauts back to the moon. While Artemis 2 won’t include a lunar landing, it’s a crucial 10-day mission around the moon designed to test life-support, communication, and safety systems ahead of future crewed landings. And a big part of that prep? The suits. The bright orange Artemis 2 suits, officially called Orion Crew Survival System suits, aren’t made for moonwalking. They’re designed to keep astronauts safe inside the Orion spacecraft during launch, flight, and the intense reentry to Earth. In case of a pressure loss or emergency, these suits act as a personal life-support system. A photo taken on January 17, 2026, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida showed all four suits lined up in the suit-up room of the Neil A. Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building. That room is where the crew will suit up before boarding their ride around the moon—and where every element of the gear gets checked, rechecked, and tested again. Technicians work methodically: helping each astronaut gear up, securing gloves, helmets, and seals, confirming oxygen and cooling systems, and making sure every suit interfaces perfectly with Orion’s systems. Communications are tested. Every connection is double-checked. This isn’t just procedure—it’s about finding and fixing the tiniest issue before it becomes a serious problem in space. Unlike Apollo-era flights, Artemis 2 is focused on sustainability and precision. It’s a proving ground not just for the hardware, but for the humans using it. What’s learned here will directly shape the future Artemis 3 and 4 missions, where astronauts will land on the lunar surface—and stay longer than ever before. In this mission, even the suits are making history. Want to follow along? Learn more about Artemis 2 and NASA’s journey back to the moon at nasa.gov/specials/artemis.

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Mom Goes Viral for Naming All Four Daughters Mary in Family Tradition

Mary Heffernan always knew the name she carried meant something special. But she probably didn’t expect it to go viral. The California mom of four is drawing attention online after sharing the story behind her family’s unique naming tradition: each of her daughters shares the same first name—Mary. It’s not just a stylistic choice. For Heffernan and her husband Brian, the name Mary is a tribute to generations of women on both sides of their family. “Mary is a strong name that carries strength, humility and steadiness,” she told PEOPLE. “Qualities I value deeply as a mother and as a woman.” That connection runs deep. “When we named our first daughter Mary, it felt timeless and special to carry on the name of one of our grandmothers,” Heffernan explained. “When we had our second, we honored another grandmother. We honestly didn’t think we’d have four daughters, but fortunately we had a lot more strong Marys to name them after!” The result? Four daughters—each named Mary, each with a full name variation and nickname to match their personality. There’s MaryFrances, nicknamed Francie, who Heffernan describes as steady and thoughtful with an old-soul presence. MaryMarjorie, or Maisie, is joyful and full of heart. MaryJane goes by JJ and is a natural leader with grit and grace. The youngest, MaryTeresa—Tessa—is spirited, bold, and curious. Despite sharing a first name, Heffernan says there’s rarely confusion around the house. “We tend to use each other’s nicknames when we’re communicating,” she said, though she jokes things get complicated “when we try to clear TSA as a family!” Now 47, Heffernan says the shared name has helped shape a strong family identity without overshadowing individuality. “It’s a reminder that individuality doesn’t come from a name. It comes from rooted family tradition and the strong women who came before them.” Whether her daughters carry on the tradition themselves one day is entirely up to them, she added. “If they do, I’ll be honored. If they don’t, I’ll respect it just as much—and have a feeling they might carry on family names in one way or another.” For now, the four Marys—Francie, Maisie, JJ, and Tessa—are proof that one name can hold a lot of meaning, and still make space for four very different lives.

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A Father’s Fight: How One Girl’s Rare Diagnosis Sparked a Global Movement for a Cure

When Susannah Rosen was just 2½ years old, her parents noticed something that didn’t sit right. During bath time in their New York apartment, when her mother Sally Jackson encouraged her to kick her legs in the water, Susannah couldn’t. What at first felt like a developmental delay quickly became something far more serious. “She was couch surfing and army crawling around the apartment at an age when toddlers typically take off running,” her father, Luke Rosen, recalled. When she tried to walk, her gait was wide, and her balance unsteady. Eventually, the Rosens were told their daughter had a mutation in her KIF1A gene, a rare and devastating neurological condition known as KIF1A-Associated Neurological Disorder (KAND). The mutation causes a toxic gain of function—producing abnormal proteins that slowly damage nerves throughout the body and brain. At the time, there were no treatments. No clinical trials. No playbook. Just heartbreak. Doctors warned that Susannah might never walk, and she’d likely develop seizures. “That was the beginning of our incredibly new and terrifying normal,” Luke said. But it didn’t end there. With a recommendation from physician Dr. Wendy Chung, the Rosens launched KIF1A.org, a foundation aimed at finding 100 other patients with the same disorder. “We were told we had five years to find a treatment,” Luke said. Today, their foundation has connected over 700 families. The search for hope led them to n-Lorem, a nonprofit founded in 2020 by Dr. Stanley Crooke, a pioneer in genetic medicine. His team develops customized antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) therapies for patients with ultra-rare—or “nano-rare”—diseases, affecting as few as one to 30 people worldwide. Treatment, once developed, is provided free for life. Susannah became n-Lorem’s first patient to receive an ASO therapy designed specifically for her mutation. Delivered via a spinal procedure, the therapy swaps cerebrospinal fluid with a drug that allows normal protein production in her cells. After her second dose, Luke noticed a shift. “Her tremor was gone. That’s not an FDA-approved outcome measure, but it meant the world to us,” he said. “We could have breakfast together. Just sit in quiet.” Susannah has now been receiving ASO treatments for three years. It hasn’t been a cure. She still faces setbacks. The disease continues to challenge her. But it has given the Rosen family something they never expected to have again: time. “We’re afraid the disease is catching up to the treatment,” Luke said. “And we just wish we had gotten this treatment for her five years ago. But I know the next kiddo will be younger. The treatment will reach every brain cell. I know it. Our gal is a pioneer.” From that first moment in the bathtub to now, Susannah’s story has become a catalyst—not just for her own care, but for a growing global effort to treat the rarest of the rare. She is one of just 40 patients n-Lorem has treated so far. Hundreds more are waiting. “Susannah’s amazing and tough as nails,” Luke said. “She’s helped us find a purpose we never asked for—but now can’t imagine living without.” To learn more or support families like the Rosens, visit KIF1A.org.

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Fela Kuti Becomes First African To Receive Lifetime Achievement Award At Grammys

The Grammys are finally giving Fela Kuti his due. Almost three decades after his death, the Nigerian Afrobeat pioneer will be honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2026 Grammy Awards—the first African artist to ever receive the accolade. The award comes two years after the Grammys introduced the Best African Performance category, signaling a broader recognition of African music’s global influence. Kuti’s son, Seun Kuti, said the honour acknowledges what fans across the continent and beyond have long known. “Fela has been in the hearts of the people for such a long time,” he told the BBC. “Now the Grammys have acknowledged it, and it’s a double victory.” Kuti died in 1997 at age 58, leaving behind more than 50 albums that blended jazz, funk, and traditional Yoruba music with searing political commentary. He used music not just to entertain, but to challenge oppression and speak truth to power—becoming one of Africa’s most potent cultural voices in the process. His influence stretched far beyond Nigeria. The Afrobeat sound he helped pioneer became a global phenomenon, shaping generations of musicians, from his sons Femi and Seun to contemporary artists like Burna Boy, who cited Kuti as a major inspiration in his own Grammy-winning work. Rikki Stein, Kuti’s longtime manager, called the award long overdue. “Africa hasn’t in the past rated very highly in their interests. I think that’s changing quite a bit of late,” he told the BBC. “Better late than never.” Fela’s family, friends, and former collaborators will attend the ceremony to accept the award on his behalf. The 68th Grammy Awards will take place on Sunday, 31 January 2026, with Trevor Noah returning as host for the sixth year in a row. Kendrick Lamar leads the pack with nine nominations, including album, record, and song of the year. But it’s Kuti’s posthumous recognition that will mark one of the ceremony’s most symbolic moments—a nod not just to a legendary artist, but to the enduring power of African music to shape the world.

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