Little Boys Notice Their Neighbors House Is on Fire - Rush to Rescue Toddlers Stuck Inside Despite Being Really Scared
Two young heroes stepped up in a big way in Oakland, Florida when a fire roared nearby. 10-year-old Isiah Francis and 11-year-old Jeremiah Grimes were minding their business when they saw smoke rising up in their neighborhood. What Two Young Boys Did When They Saw a House on FireUnsplash/ Chris KaridisThey quickly noticed that their neighbor's home was on fire, and rushed inside without a second thought. Navigating through heavy smoke and impending panic, the two heroes safely retrieved a 1-year-old and an 8-month-old from the burning house. It is not as if the two were unafraid of the situation, but they had the remarkable courage to overcome their fear -- the true mark of bravery. "I was really scared because I thought I was going to get burned," Isiah even told a local news outlet in Orlando. "I was nervous because there was so much smoke it was hard for me to see," he added. Despite feeling scared, unable to see, and risking his own wellbeing, Isiah and his friend charged into that burning house to save two toddlers. Forget their age, many in that frightening position might have frozen, or called the appropriate authorities. The quick-thinking to charge directly into the home, however, very well could have made the difference between life and death for the two young children they retrieved. How Two Boys Proved That There Is No Age Limit to Being a HeroTheir selfless act of bravery reverberated throughout the community, becoming a beacon of hope and inspiration. News of their heroism spread, captivating the hearts of people across the country. These two are certainly destined to grow into brave young men. Isiah even said he has dreams of becoming a firefighter some day, and he certainly has more experience than most 11 year olds.The cause of the blaze has not been determined, but it is believed to have started on the stove. It is unclear why the father was unable to get all four of his children out of the home, or why the fire began. However, it is certain that Isiah and Jeremiah saved the day. While, hopefully we don't have to run into a burning home any time soon, we can all draw inspiration from the bravery displayed by these two boys. True heroism doesn't lie in accolades or recognition, but in the sum of decisions like these that come to define us.Isiah and Jeremiah's selfless act will forever serve as a reminder that each of us has the capacity to be a hero in our own unique way.Heroism also isn't reserved for a certain age group, and these two showed why everyone possesses the ability to become a hero in the right circumstance. More from Goalcast:Woman Leaves Her Newborn Baby Girl in a Drop Box – The Firefighter Who Found Her Just Became Her DadHomeless Man Heroically Saves an Entire Family and Their Pets From a Blazing Residential FireMom and Her 2 Kids Are Trapped in an Apartment Fire – One Local Homeless Man Tells Them All to Drop Out of the Window
Mother of 7 Graduates College as Valedictorian After 10 Years - A Note From Her Daughter Helped Her Overcome Various Hurdles
Ashley Payne's college graduation was unlike any other. While the occasion is momentous for anyone, it was made all the more special for Ashley as she balanced raising 7 children, and health complications, with her studies. Not only did Ashley complete her undergraduate studies at the age of 35, but she did so as the valedictorian of her class!How One Woman Was Inspired by Her Daughter’s Post-it NotePhoto by Lisa FotiosUnfortunately, Ashley's academic career was originally sidelined when she had a pulmonary embolism at only 18 years old -- just after high school. A sudden blockage of the arteries, the condition is grave, and highly unlikely for such a young person. “I was only 18 years old, and had zero cause for blood clots, so they kept me in the ICU for two weeks. This rattled my plan significantly,” Payne told a publication.Payne was forced to focus on her health, as life continued around her. Thankfully, she recovered fully, and soon began having children. Motherhood quickly became a full time job, and further delayed her education. Payne and her husband, Joseph, focused on growing their party rental business, and on raising their children.She even began working as a doula and a birth assistant before earning an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse degree in Midwifery.However, in 2019, 10 years and 7 children later, she felt well enough to return to school, and enrolled at Keiser University. However, tragedy would strike again when she lost her mother. She referred to her mother as her "greatest cheerleader," and struggled to continue her studies through the grief. However, Payne told a local publication that words from her daughter written on a sticky note ultimately kept her going:"Aim for the moon, and if you miss, you may hit a star.""She sent me to school with a Post-It note in her tiny handwriting,” Payne said via a press release from the university. “If she can realize the vast opportunities this world has to offer, so can you,” she told the audience at her commencement speech. How Family Support Helped a Woman Graduate CollegeThe support of her growing family carried her through difficult times and encouraged her to continue her studies, even as she became pregnant with two more children during the course of her education. As she took the stage at her graduation from Keiser University, she did so as valedictorian, addressing the crowd with powerful words of encouragement. Not coincidentally, she was also the valedictorian of her high school class, over a decade prior! In her university commencement speech, she referenced the note her daughter wrote, and how much the support of her family truly helped her. She graduated as a registered nurse with a Bachelor's degree in Science and Nursing, and intends to continue her studies and obtain a Master of Science degree in Nurse-Midwifery at Bethel University in St. Paul, Minnesota.Her story is inspirational in the truest sense of the word. Despite facing seemingly insurmountable hurdles, Payne persevered. Not only did she make it through her degree, but she did so at the top of her class. Keiser University Chancellor Arthur Keiser, PhD, even beamed to a local publication: “We are incredibly proud of Ashley for being named valedictorian of her graduating class with a perfect 4.0 GPA.”How One Woman Proved the Importance of PerseverancePhoto by Goutinho De Flávio GFHer story is ultimately one of support. Whether from family or friends, encouragement from others is invaluable. The belief of those close to us can inject us with a newfound drive, confidence, and enthusiasm. Though motherhood made Ashley's studies all the more taxing, it is also what ultimately propelled her to keep going when it seemed too daunting. Her daughter, Lorelai, had no idea how powerful that one note would become. She recalled, "I can't believe the impact it has even now; I'm getting interviewed about this. I didn't know that that's what I'd be doing when I wrote this at 9 years old."We are all capable of encouraging those in our life in the way Lorelai did, and it is paramount that we do so when given the opportunity. Ashley's story is one of determination, perseverance, and familial support. As she continues on her journey towards obtaining her Master of Science degree, her story continues to inspire and motivate us all to pursue our goals relentlessly, and support those close to us doing the same. More from Goalcast:Inspired by Her Son’s Dying Wish, Woman Graduates From College in His Place With the Highest RankWoman Gives Birth to Baby Boy – Less Than 24 Hours Later, She Rushes to Graduate College With a PhD56-Year-Old Grandfather Always Dreamed of Playing College Baseball — His Dream Just Came True
No One Pays Attention to Defeated Author at His Own Book Launch - Little Did He Know a Stranger Was About to Change His Life Overnight
Popular social media platform TikTok isn't all dances and comedy skits. As we have documented here before, audiences on TikTok are capable of rallying together in impactful and positive ways to change the lives of others. One such story involves an obscure author, Shawn Warner. When video of Warner at a book launch was shared to TikTok, he had no idea what would follow, and how his life would change. A random passerby thought that Warner looked defeated at the book signing, where many were walking past the budding author, paying him little attention. Why an Author Looked “Defeated” at His Book LaunchIn a video, shared above, Warner sits behind a small table, with copies of his most recent book spread out in front of him. The TikTok user who engaged with Shawn wrote, "I was just shopping when I noticed this man trying to promote his new book. I honestly don't even read books nowadays. But something just told me to get a couple." He also noticed that the author seemed "defeated" and knew he could use a little encouragement. He told Warner that he makes TikTok videos, and that he would buy the book and share it to his page. “OK, I won’t say no,” Warner laughed, not thinking much of the exchange. However the video soon blew up. After accumulating more than 5 million views, Warner's book was catapulted to success, entering the bestseller list on Amazon. The video marks a long path for the budding author, who has had a love for writing almost his whole life. He wrote his first adventure story when he was just four years old. However, once his two children entered university, he decided to dedicate his attention to writing full-time. He published his first complete novel, Leigh Howard and the Ghosts of Simmons-Pierce Manor, in November last year. “It’s about a teenage girl who teams up with a ghost with multiple personalities to solve the mystery of her parents murder,” he explained.Just six months after publishing the book, it became a huge success thanks to the help of users on TikTok, who rallied behind Warner. He was justifiably in shock. “The love and the kindness on the video is totally unexpected,” he responded in his own TikTok video. "You'd think as a writer I'd have words for it, but I don't," he added.“I’m in shock. I don’t even know what to say about it at the moment. I’m trying to wrap my head around it.”How One Man Proved the Importance of PerseveranceEmbracing the platform, he now posts to an account titled "shawnwwrites" where he promotes his work and engages with his newfound audience. He admits that there was a "lull in sales" before the video, and that the reaction to the initial TikTok changed the entire trajectory of his career. More important than financial success, however, has been the encouragement and support he feels from strangers all over the globe. Warner admitted that, growing up, people had always told him he could never make money from writing -- and he unfortunately believed them. Now, he is proving them all wrong and doing what he loves. Sadly, this story is all too common -- one of children with big dreams being discouraged. For anyone, a little support goes a long way, and at some point we all need to be told to pursue our passions, and that it really is possible to do what we love. It is remarkable to think about how many people like Shawn are out there pursuing their own dreams, whatever they may be, and how serendipitously success can find us. Platforms like TikTok, and the internet as a whole, enable a newfound scale of discoverability -- and showcase stories like this to unfold for all to see. While not everyone goes viral on the platform and becomes an overnight success, the abundance of stories such as this one can still encourage those watching to persevere. The outpouring of support has no doubt confirmed to Shawn that he is on the right path, and might encourage another young dreamer somewhere in the world to pursue their own passion. The importance of this type of encouragement cannot be understated, and truly has a ripple effect. Let Shawn Warner, and his perseverance, be a reminder to us all of how important it is to believe in both ourselves and in others. More from Goalcast:Young Woman Who Can’t Afford University Decides to Go to Community College Instead – Then She Opens a Letter That Changes EverythingJudge Calls Single Mom “Irresponsible” for Her 14 Parking Tickets – Then She Made a Plea That Changed His MindMom Disappears From Her 6-Year-Old Daughter’s Life – Then, One Unexpected Call Changes Everything
Man Leaves Valuable Possession in the Bathroom by Mistake - Then, an 8-Year-Old Saves the Day
Every now and then we come across stories that remind us of our collective capacity for kindness.This is one such story, of a young boy and his family who came across a highly desirable piece of sports memorabilia, and ended up returning it to its rightful owner. Unfortunately, many might have behaved differently in this situation, but this family reminds us that kindness and compassion still exist, and how important these qualities are. How One Man Lost His Prized PossessionWhen the Houston Astros won the World Series in 2022, the organization gave all employees at Minute Maid Park custom championship rings. Typically, championship players are gifted flashy rings, but the Astros decided to recognize the underbelly of the organization that often goes overlooked, but are just as deserving of celebration. One of these employees, Reynaldo Muñoz, had been working at the stadium for 23 years, and cherished his ring as a symbol of the team's success as well as his sustained commitment to the organization. However, when working on Father's Day this past year, he misplaced this prized possession. Muñoz took off the custom ring while washing his hands in a restroom, when he got a call for assistance elsewhere in the stadium. It wasn't until about 20 minutes later that he realized he didn't have the ring on, and when he went back to look, it was gone. The stadium can hold a staggering 41,000 people, and on Father's Day the place was packed. Not only that, but packed with Houston Astro's fans who might consider it their lucky day to happen upon a coveted championship ring. Aside from the item's rarity, it is also adorned with jewels, making it particularly valuable. Devastated, Muñoz considered the ring lost. Unbeknownst to him, however, he would soon be reunited with his ring thanks to 8-year old Neymar Davalos who was attending his first ever Astro's game.Neymar found the ring in the bathroom, and, adorably, gifted it to his father for Father's Day. "He comes back from the restroom and he's like, 'Dad, here's your Father's Day gift,'" the boy's father told a local publication.The pair didn't think much of it after that, assuming it was merely a replica.The next morning, however, they realized what had happened. A friend of Muñoz's daughter had shared a post to Facebook about the lost ring, hoping to see it return to its owner. How One Little Boy Proved the Importance of IntegrityThe post was shared rapidly and quickly went viral. In the post, Janie Arredondo writes "[Muñoz] has worked for 23 years at MMP and this ring meant so much to him. The ring is very unique as it is personalized to every employee. We hope whoever has it will return it. It is one of his joys from working there for many years." When Neymar and his father saw the post, they knew they had to do the right thing. They quickly reached out, revealing they had the ring, and set up a time to meet up and return it. The meeting was captured by a local news crew, seen below. Muñoz is clearly relieved to see his ring again, and impressed by the generosity of these strangers who could have acted very differently. "I really didn't think I was going to see [the ring] ever again, but I'm so glad they did the right thing," Muñoz said. "At the end of the day, it's the best thing you can ask for."To express his gratitude, Muñoz gave the young boy a bag filled with T-shirts, bobbleheads, a voucher for game tickets. He also included some replica rings that the 8-year-old fan can keep for himself this time. The Davalos family clearly has a strong moral compass, and are setting a positive example for their son as well as people everywhere who saw the story. One user responded to the footage of the trio saying "Just when you think all hope is lost... This father and son restore my faith in humanity." Though anonymous, this Twitter user speaks for us all. More from Goalcast:11-Year-Old Returns Lost Wallet to Owners Despite Being Poor – Little Did He Know What Was Coming NextTaxi Driver Goes Back to Passenger’s Home and Returns $731 She Forgot in His Cab – Her and Her Family Can’t Hold Back Tears
