Laura Kwerel
Stories
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National
'You're doing such a good job': A stranger tells a mom just what she needs to hear
Emma Carlson Berne was at a restaurant, feeling overwhelmed with her three young children. Then a stranger came over with words she's never forgotten: "What a beautiful family."
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National
A transit worker gave Donald an unexpected gift: a hug from his son
A transit worker watched Donald Kabara and his son hug goodbye. Later, he was pleasantly surprised to see his son return with another hug — prompted by the worker.
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National
'A light went off in my head': A professor honors his high school civics teacher
Malcolm Campbell remembers Don Lawson, the high school civics teacher who helped him understand the true value of education.
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National
She was terrified waiting for surgery. Then her anesthesiologist began to sing
As Samantha Hodge-Williams waited on the operating table for emergency surgery, she felt alone and scared. Then the anesthesiologist appeared.
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National
When she called a hotline to report abuse, the voice on the other end offered hope
Nora Durkin called a hotline to report abuse she says she experienced as a child. The woman who answered gave her the validation she had needed for years.
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Health
When Wil was struggling with depression, a therapist said just the right thing
In 2014, Wil Davenport was being treated for depression at an inpatient mental health program. One day, his therapist issued a challenge that renewed his sense of purpose.
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National
She couldn't go to her daughter's graduation, so the hospital brought it to her
In 2014, Susan Kahn was in the hospital with terminal cancer, unable to attend her daughter's high school graduation. So the hospital staff brought the celebration to her.
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National
'I got you, girl': A toll collector's unexpected reply to a driver's tears
When the toll collector asked Leahruth Jemilo how she was doing, she burst into tears. The collector's response has stayed with her ever since.
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National
A rideshare driver makes an hourslong trek to take a dad to his gravely ill daughter
When Ian Sandler got a middle-of-the-night call that his daughter had collapsed, he didn't know what to do. Then, an Uber driver went above and beyond to help.
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National
She was floundering in the ocean. Then a young boy came to her rescue
Nearly 60 years ago, when she was 16, Denise Elliott brought a friend to the Bahamas for a vacation. What happened has stayed with her ever since.
