A 2nd Act

Thoughtful, committed citizens changing the world “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” When she said them decades ago, anthropologistMargaret Mead could...

Unconditional and Incredible             For better or worse … but no dogs. That was the promise Marika Meeks made her husband, Brian, when they married. The Indiana couple went on to have two daughters, become partners in...

A saint, a statue and a mission             Brent Downs knew the Bible stories from his Southern Baptist upbringing. He knew that Joseph was the father of Jesus and that the Bible paints him as a man...

Baseball, gum and a sunny hill By Judy Pearson The “czar of chewing gum” already owned four palatial homes. But he was building something special on the 100-foot-high la Colina Solana, a sunny hill above his Arizona...

The March of Dimes helped a small baby help others Mitzie and Jeremy Warner had gone through four failed in-vitro fertilizations. Then it happened: The fifth time was a charm. Parenthood would be theirs some time around...

One million hearts and counting By Judy Pearson It wasn’t supposed to happen. Sharon Bates was never supposed to receive that phone call. Her son, Anthony, was a healthy 20 year old living his dream. In 1999,...

Giving hope and a future to foster children By Judy Pearson “Why can’t I come back next year?” Brandon asked. It seemed like a good question to Michael Brewer. He was volunteering at a camp for foster...

Two women … two stories … big outcome By Judy Pearson A 1980s television ad depicted a young woman so giddy about her shampoo, she told two friends about it. And they told two friends … and...

Exactly What Life Should Be Made Of By Judy Pearson “Life is mostly froth and bubble, two things stand like stone. Kindness in another’s struggle, courage in your own.” Jeff Lewis first heard these words — a...

Because it’s always the beginning Judy Pearson | Contributing Writer He stood there, small and shivering, covering one grubby foot with the other for warmth. In that moment, Caryn Shoemaker’s heart broke. It was a chilly January...