Good News

Easter is a holiday of new hope, opportunity, and life. During these challenging times, there is likely no holiday better suited to provide a glimmer of light and promise. That same spirit will carry on into this week’s column, as we focus, for once, on the good news that’s all around us.

Headlines in recent months have fixated on death tolls, economic collapse, and despair. In a time where we could all use a little good news, it’s almost impossible to find. By turning off your television and looking around, however, you’ll find a very different, and promising, world surrounding us. District 1 has no shortage of good news.

For example, last week in Nemaha County, something truly wonderful happened. A local elementary school teacher is facing her second battle with cancer. Her friends, knowing they needed to practice safe social distancing, still wanted to find a way to make her smile as her April birthday approached. They decided to throw her a small parade, inviting students and a few of her closest friends to drive by her home and wave hello.

Word spread about the plan, and when the day arrived, it was anything but a “small parade.” Hundreds of cars lined the highway and dirt road leading to the teacher’s house, each decorated with signs of encouragement for their beloved friend. The honoree, thanks to some unseasonably warm weather, sat outside on her patio to view the procession. There were smiles and tears of joy abound, along with an overwhelming sense of community that can only be found in Southeast Nebraska. It was a beautiful moment that was far more impactful to the hundreds of participants than any CNN headline that day.

In a world that seems dominated by bad news, please, look for the good around you. There’s so much of it to be found.

As always, I welcome your input on issues important to you. Follow along on my Facebook and Twitter pages, both entitled “Senator Julie Slama” for more updates, or contact me directly at Senator Julie Slama, District 1 State Capitol, PO Box 94604, Lincoln, NE 68509-4604; telephone 402-471-2733; email: jslama@leg.ne.gov