This year came and went so fast, and it’s probably safe to say that most of us are OK with that after everything that happened. From the events of the election to losing some of the world’s most beloved icons, 2016 was unkind to us in one way or another. Complaints about the end of one year and the beginning of another are far and few, and we’re all ready for a fresh start. But with everything awful and unbearable that occurred over the last 12 months, it’s important not to forget the bad, but remember all the good in spite of it. Here are just a few of the happy things to keep in mind while moving forward into 2017.
1. A 4-year old girl befriended an elderly widower.
4-year-old Norah Woods met Dan Peterson while grocery shopping with her mother, only to later find out that he had been in a deep depression since his wife died, and hadn't smile since - until he took a picture with Norah. The two met again and they've had weekly visits ever since. Their unlikely friendship is absolutely heart-warming.
2. The tiger population has increased.
As of April, there are about 3,890 tigers in the wild, which is 690 more than there were in 2010. This is largely thanks to the increasing populations in India, Bhutan, Nepal, and Russia.
3. An abandoned dog with a 46-pound tumor was rescued and healed.
In May, a golden retriever named Henry was found at Newport Beach with a large tumor, abandoned by his owner. He was rescued and with money from donations the tumor was successfully removed. While it's sickening to think of someone abandoning their pet, faith in humanity is restored with his rescue.
4. The funds from the Ice Bucket Challenge helped to discover the gene linked to ALS.
The fundraising campaign raised over $100 million, which the ALS Association is crediting for finding the gene linked to the fatal disease. It's amazing to think that so many people dumping water over their heads made such a difference.
5. SeaWorld will no longer breed Orcas.
After major criticism from animal welfare groups SeaWorld agreed to stop the captive breeding of Orcas. The SeaWorld President, Joel Manby, says that instead they will focus on rescue operations so that thousands of marine animals will be returned to the wild.
6. The death rate for heart disease has decreased.
Considering that more Americans die of heart disease than any other cause, this is a pretty big deal.
7. Harriet Tubman will be on the $20 bill.
Harriet Tubman will be the first African-American and the first woman in over a century to be on a dollar bill. She dedicated her life to helping others find freedom with the Underground Railroad and fought for equality, and now we will see this represented everywhere we go.
8. A bank pays the college tuition for children of employees who died on 9/11.
On 9/11 the banking firm Sandler O'Neill & Partners lost 66 employees. The company then made the decision to to pay the college tuition for all 76 of the employees' children, many of them being college-aged this year.
9. Harry Potter made a comeback.
When they say Harry Potter is never over, they mean it. With the release of the Harry Potter and the Cursed Child script as well as the first of five installments of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Harry Potter fans have a lot to be thankful for.
10. Leonardo DiCaprio finally won an Oscar.
We all thought it would never happen, but we're so glad that it did.
