We laughed. We cried. We thanked the Internet for sharing and humans for their compassion.
In 2015, the times which inspired us came in handfuls. They encouraged us to share our own stories with those going through the same challenges, extend random acts of kindness to strangers, and contemplate the innate goodness of animals.
All in all, the Internet definitely deserves a few pats on the back. It really is a beautiful thing to share your message to millions via an Internet connection. Our hearts are softening behind our screens right now.
1. When a guy donated his extra hub cap to an unwitting stranger
2. When a very money-savvy pizza guy was cheated out of his rightful tip
3. When a little boy with cancer got to duet his favorite song with his favorite singer
4. When one teen went shopping for a clip-on tie that turned into a full-out tie-tying lesson from a Target salesperson
5. When one welcoming restaurant opened its door to those in need of a meal and companionship on Thanksgiving
6. When one colorblind man was finally given the capability to see colors
7. When a little boy chose a Barbie doll as his toy of choice -- and his dad embraced it whole-heartedly
8. When one little girl's stuffed animal is reunited with its owner after a long journey through the Toronto Pearson airport
9. When a whole community showed up to a little girl's birthday party after her mom posted a Facebook message
10. When Weird Al Yankovic turned up to support a little girl who was being bullied over her love of Star Wars
11. When a little girl, who survived a deathly fire, just wanted a lot of Christmas cards for the holiday
12. When a little boy stuck up for woman who was being harassed after she retaliated to a cat caller
13. When these two hugging dogs were rescued from being euthanized
14. When a boy grew out his hair for 2 years, despite bullying, so he could donate it all
15. When a mother, who was in the hospital with her sick baby, had her parking ticket paid by a stranger
16. When the longest working nurse in America celebrated her 90th birthday
17. When a dog's owner was killed in a car wreck and the dog waited patiently for the family to arrive
CONFIRMED: Dog belonged to woman who was killed. #JSO tells me family is coming to get him. @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/AfpUFvZSYG— Russell Colburn (@RussellANjax) October 23, 2015
18. When two abandoned dogs learned to support each other and became inseparable best friends
Good morning and happy Friday from everyone here at @StrayAidDogs #BuzzandGlenn pic.twitter.com/QaLtNTUEHU— Stray Aid (@StrayAidDogs) June 26, 2015
19. When a post from a gay boy on HONY brought out a multitude of Facebook supporters, including Hillary Clinton
20. When a blind mother received a 3D-printed ultrasound and was able to experience her soon-to-be newborn