Feel-good stories that made us smile and happy-cry in 2016
This year had its share of heartwarming, fun and sweet stories that stand out as shining examples of good news.
From strangers' acts of kindness to inspiring tales of triumph, here's a look back at just a few of the stories from 2016 that will make you feel warm and fuzzy all over again.
Grieving mother hears son's heart beat in child it saved
Feb. 2, 2016
After Heather Clark's infant son Lukas passed away, the family decided to donate his organs. Early this year Heather got to meet little Jordan Drake, who received his heart. During the emotional meeting she got to hear her son's heartbeat for the first time in three years, and Jordan's family gave her a teddy bear with a recording of Lukas' heartbeat.
Dying dog completes bucket list with final wish to help other animals
March 31, 2016
A dog named Buddy was battling terminal cancer, so his owner created a bucket list to make the most of his final days. Buddy was able to do all the fun activities except for one. After Buddy passed away, his owner donated his toys, completing the list for him with the last item: help other pets in need.
Adorable prom proposal goes viral
April 28, 2016
When it came time for one student to pick a prom date, she knew exactly who she wanted to ask and where she wanted to do it. Lillie's mom owns a coffee shop that employs people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, where her longtime friend Trevor worked. Lillie surprised Trevor with the prom-posal at the shop, and he enthusiastically accepted.
Young man with Down syndrome becomes youngest business owner in his town
May 2, 2016
With a love of snow cones and a strong work ethic, 20-year-old Blake Pyron had a dream of opening his own snow cone shack. When he accomplished that dream, he not only became the youngest business owner in his Texas town, he also became the only one with Down syndrome. His mom, Mary Ann Pyron, said she hopes his story inspires others with special needs.
"We were told Blake wouldn't be able to do things, and we looked past that," she said. "You don't know us. You don't know our child, so don't label him. We haven't, and he turned out great."
Chick-Fil-A employees go to work on a Sunday after Orlando shooting
June 14, 2016
When tragedy struck Orlando in June, many stepped up to help by donating blood. Those donors were themselves the recipients of an act of kindness. Employees of Chick-Fil-A, which is usually closed on Sundays, showed up with sandwiches as a thank you.
These boys saw an elderly man struggling with yard work and immediately saved the day
June 22, 2016
A rugby team in Australia was fresh off a victory when they stopped to help an elderly man they saw struggling with his yard work. The young players and their fathers all pitched in to move a large pile of wood. The team's act of kindness garnered sweet comments from friends and strangers alike.
Veteran with one arm performs inspirational rope climb at Spartan event
August 26, 2016
Spartan races are incredible physical feats, but this veteran with one arm makes it look like a piece of cake. Jonathan Lopez, who was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army in 2001 following the amputation of his left arm, showed off his impressive rope-climbing skills at a Spartan event this year.
Grumpy toddler's heart melts when she sees her baby sister
Oct. 6, 2016
Everyone has that one thing guaranteed to cheer them up no matter how bad the day's going. For 3-year-old Ellia, that thing is her baby sister. Their mom captured the sweet moment when the infant's presence turned Ellia's mood around.
Woman with cancer holds dance party during chemotherapy
Oct. 21, 2016
This cancer patient is determined not to let anything get her down. While undergoing chemotherapy in October, Ana-Alecia Ayala joined in the viral dance craze, "Juju On That Beat," with a friend. Their infectiously good-natured video went viral.
"We want to show the world that dancing and laughter is the BEST medicine," Ayala wrote.
Ed Sheeran serenades sick 9-year-old fan
Nov. 16, 2016
Nine-year-old Melody has spent 80 percent of her life in the hospital while battling Rett syndrome, a condition that "causes problems in brain function that are responsible for cognitive, sensory, emotional, motor, and autonomic function."
But one thing never failed to make Melody smile: Ed Sheeran's music. The family created a video showing how much joy Sheeran brought her, and the video went viral. Sheeran saw the video and paid a visit to Melody in the hospital, where he played his songs on her little pink guitar. The pop star was so touched by the little girl that he said he wanted to keep in touch, according to Babble.
Make-A-Wish fulfills sick 12-year-old's wish to 'blow stuff up'
Dec. 1, 2016
One Australian pre-teen battling leukemia got to live out an unusual but exciting wish through the Make-A-Wish foundation: blow stuff up. Declan, 12, lived out his wish in a big way with the help of police, and he also got to meet US Marine Corps and even ride on a boat with the water police.
This man has found 80 messages in bottles, and counting
Dec. 15, 2016
Clint Buffington found an unusual way to make friends: collecting messages in bottles. He deciphers the messages in an attempt to find the sender. In one case he was able to reunite the sender's daughter with her father's half-century-old message. He blogs about those experiences and about the plastic pollution he's encountered in an effort to raise awareness.
