Great Tidings Still

It's been a month of bad news: Sandy was relentless, the country's CIA chief resigned disgracefully, and Middle East peace is just a dream. Still, we knew good news existed somewhere, and we asked readers for their best of the year.

The best news I got this year was that our grandson, Riley James, born Aug. 9, survived open-heart surgery on the sixth day of his life. His congenital heart disease affects about two in 10,000 children. Kudos go to the obstetrics staff at Riddle Memorial for a quick diagnosis of his condition, and then to the cardiology staff at A.I. duPont for Children, where Riley was transferred and had his "walnut"-size heart operation. Riley will probably not have to undergo any other operations, is now off all meds, and, while having to follow up with a cardiologist for the rest of his life, he should be able to lead a normal life. Now our 15-week-old Riley is a happy baby.

- Kim Roberts, Hilltown, Pa.

My best news: My husband's knee surgery was successful and he will be able to return to work, my (2011 college graduate) daughter received a promotion at her job, my son's baseball hitting slump is over, my brother and sister-in-law safely moved over 2,000 miles, my mom has completed one year smoke-free after 40-plus years smoking, and my dad received a clean bill of health.
- Justine Larison, Wilmington

Good news for many families in Philly, including mine, was the culmination of the sex abuse scandal, which was finalized with the incarceration of Msgr. Lynn, who endangered the welfare of children.
- Theresa M. Coleman, North Wales

Best news I got this year was, undoubtedly, on the morning of Nov. 7, when I awoke to the news that Obama had won the presidential election. Big sigh of relief!
- Debra Levy, Ardmore

Our best news began by sounding like the worst news. A phone call from the vet indicated that Bunnie, the beagle, tested positive for heartworm. I know this mosquito-borne illness is often fatal. We needed to bring Bunnie back in for a more definitive blood test. After drawing blood, and giving Bunnie a biscuit, we simply had to sit and wait: Bunnie was negative for heartworm. The technician gave us high-fives, and, of course, a biscuit for the jubilant Bunnie.
- Nancy Maguire, Philadelphia

The best news I got this year was when my daughter, Colleen, gave birth to our fifth grandson. Being a volunteer basketball coach for more than 50 years, I now have my own starting five.
Richard Prendergast, Stone Harbor, N.J.

Diagnosed with MS in 1982, two decades at Noble Design Associates, author of You Are Not Your Illness, and a leader in the disability community, I was thrilled to find out that my new book, Wheelchair Wisdom: Awaken Your Spirit Through Adversity, won grand prize of a publishing package in an international contest. The Huffington Post invited me to be a monthly columnist demonstrating adversity could be viewed as a spiritual awakening.
- Linda Noble Topf, Gulph Mills

The best news I got this year was that my mother was cancer-free! After a long and difficult fight with breast cancer, she beat the battle!
- Kim Miller Curran, Media

I was not a victim of crime! In October, I pulled into the hospital garage where I work, first deciding to roll down the windows and check my phone before heading inside. After answering a few e-mails and returning a call, I went to my trunk for a few brochures. Then I received another call - which was complicated and took more time than I had. With a patient waiting for me inside, I quickly gathered my paperwork, phones, brochures, work bag, and water bottle. I headed to the elevator, turning, as always to remotely lock my car. When I returned two hours later, there was my car: all windows down and the passenger door ajar. Who did this? Then, with the two brain cells that I had left, I realized it was me. Nothing was touched: pocketbook and computer and supplies all accounted for. It could have been a disaster and it wasn't.
- Joan Coyne, Springfield

Recently I had the best news: a dental checkup with no bleeding gums. This was a first in 30 years. The solution: oil pulling. For 20 minutes, I swished 1 tablespoon of organic sunflower oil every morning for two weeks. I now do maintenance two to three times a week.
- Alice Farber, Philadelphia

In February after 16 years of living in beautiful Summerland Key, Fla., we decided to put our house on the market so that we could move permanently to Stone Harbor, N.J., to be closer to health care facilities and family, and to live in the town we always loved. Then in August, my husband Ben was diagnosed with cancer. The good news for us is the support we have received from the Love of Linda Cancer Fund in Cape May County, which has given donations to Ben to help with the expenses of getting treatments for cancer. Also to Cape Regional Medical Hospital, the wonderful staff and volunteers, and of course our neighbors, friends, and family. We are blessed to have the support of our community.
- Benton J. and Margaret A. Crisman, Stone Harbor, N.J.

Aristotle defines "peripety" as a change from one state of things to the opposite of its kind. Although my excited expectations for last year turned ironically into a disaster, the good news is that this fall, I have found my place and renewed my faith in the inherent goodness of others through my experiences at the Brandywine River Museum, where each volunteer is cherished as a valued part of the best "gem" museum in America.
- Emily Farrell, Media

Have I got good news! In our communication office, we receive good news almost daily, most of it in the form of acknowledgments about our sisters' work. In some cases, acknowledgments and dedications are made in the name of our entire congregation, the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia. For example, St. Francis Medical Center in Trenton recently erected a wall of fame honoring the work of the sisters. And Trenton Catholic Academy recognized our sisters with a special plaque for our 50-year history with the school. The list could go on. For all of this and for all of our sisters, I am grateful!
- Sr. Ann Marie Slavin, Philadelphia

After spending 10 days in Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in July of this year, my 88-year-old father was released and sent home after suffering heart failure. This was undoubtedly the best news that I had heard this year because his original prognosis was not good. Many thanks to the entire cardiology staff at Jefferson Hospital for the excellent and competent care of my dad.
- Carol A. Pasquarello, Philadelphia

After several months of extra care and caution due to some unnerving blood tests, we proudly welcomed our third grandchild - hardy, healthy, and happy Owen Russell - to the family on Nov. 13. As if this weren't enough, his parents honored me and the rest of the Scottish side of the family by making Owen's middle name mine. I never realized how special this can make one feel, and I only hope that I can live up to his - albeit small for now - expectations.
- Julian Russell Northcott, Horsham

The best news we received this year was that our granddaughter Elizabeth was inducted into the National Honor Society.
- Sue and Milton Levy, Malvern

After a very sad year in which my brother and mother died within six months of each other, I was able to celebrate my honey's 80th birthday at the Ritz Carlton in Naples, Fla.
- Nancy Sagel Florin, Philadelphia

On Saturday, Oct. 27, I flew to Denver, where I met with 52 friends who sing in the Valley Forge Chorus to prepare for an international competition. That same day, I was able to attend a birthday lunch for my grandson Josh with family and friends. Tuesday we were awarded third-place medals and voted "most entertaining chorus." On Saturday, my daughter and two granddaughters sang with me on stage in the Family Chorus, while my son-in-law and grandson watched in the audience. Back home as Sandy hit, my sister drove from her home in Warminster to care for Minnie, my house cat, and my neighbor fed and kept the outside strays alive. Home again in Quakertown and surveying the remnants of the tree which came down on my roof and was removed by my neighbors and hauled away, I could only reflect on everything that had occurred in the past week and accept my good fortune.
- Deanna Tropea, Quakertown

I do not have breast cancer. After a dozen mammograms, several ultrasounds, a biopsy, and a lumpectomy, that was the final verdict. I am a single mom of a 6-year-old son. Those months between the first troublesome mammogram to the final pathology report were some of the most stressful of my entire life. But I got lucky. The lumpectomy was hard to recover from, and my scar still makes me a little sad. But I know that I am OK, and breast cancer will not take me away from my little boy.
- Kathryn Quigley, Deptford

In this bad economy, our son and daughter-in-law surprised us with a trip to the Bahamas for our 40th wedding anniversary. What a wonderful time we had.
- Jean and Vince Martino, Phoenixville

The best news this year is the reelection of President Barack Obama.
- Lisha Sherman, Merion Station

I am an art student at Temple University and I work part time at a special-needs school in the Northeast. Friends have been begging me to model, but I am too short and curvy by industry standards. Now I've had a year of continuous shoots and work, the opportunity of working with an agency, and being published in an online magazine. I wasn't sure if I could do it, and my family didn't believe in me. I guess the moral is, listen to your heart and never give up.
- Shayna Pfeiffer, Philadelphia

On Jan. 6, it was announced that the Archdiocese of Philadelphia was shuttering four high schools, among them St. Hubert High School for Girls in the Northeast. Although rumors had persisted for months, nothing prepared me for the emotional toll the announcement took on our girls. Once the initial grief and anger were set aside, the school community galvanized in ways I will never forget. Through massive fund-raising efforts and rallies, St. Hubert's Bambies showed everyone just how important the school was. When the news was announced it had been saved, it was gratifying to witness the girls' sheer joy.
- Terese Lewis, Philadelphia

I am so grateful that our son Ron moved back home after four years in San Mateo, Calif. I am grateful that our son Malachi has found such a wonderful young woman as Jill. I am grateful that we have four beautiful grandchildren around the corner from us. I am grateful that we will be visiting our Denver kids and grandkids very soon.
- Marge Sexton, Hollywood, Pa.

I was diagnosed suddenly with kidney cancer in May. Just days after celebrating my birthday and 31st wedding anniversary, I had my kidney removed. Good news: Bye-bye cancer, thank you Jesus!
- Renee McGillian, Glen Mills

 This Thanksgiving, I'm grateful for a year left blessedly unpocked by personal tragedy or heartache, a year that has left me grateful for the basics. I am ever thankful for my mom and dad. I am thankful that though divorced, they have a real and tender friendship. I am thankful for my own little family. For two active, thriving sons and a marriage that continues to grow in love and understanding. In a year filled with so much uncertainty and destruction for so many, there's something to be said for the ordinary. It brings to mind a bit of an old poem my great-grandmother loved:

Isn't heaven after all the now and here,
The daily things of life that are so dear.

- Liz Morris Orye, Wallingford

A year ago we rescued Sadie, a 5-year-old Russell terrier, from the Humane Society. As her third owner, it didn't take long to realize why her prior humans gave up this hyperactive and anxious dog. We gave her plenty of physical exercise but found she also needed intellectual stimulation. So I got involved with the national dog sport of scent detection for pets, now taught in Center City. It didn't take long for this unfocused dog to begin to enjoy using her nose. In order to advance in the sport, we had to take a recognition test to prove that she was able to find birch oil hidden in one of 12 boxes. As we entered the cavernous test room, Sadie sniffed the first two boxes and then immediately went up to the fifth box and put her paw on it. All of the practice paid off when we heard the judge say, "Yes . . . you passed!" It is so heartwarming to see an older dog learn and perform with such enthusiasm and determination. We both won big-time that day!
- Patricia Bentz, Philadelphia

This year my only son married a lovely girl and it gives me joy seeing them begin their life together. This year saw me walking hand in hand with my grandson, who calls me "pop pop." This year saw me working when so many others are out of work. And now I prepare to celebrate with a feast prepared by my wife of 35 years. I've got a lot to be thankful for.
- Kevin Monaghan, Norristown

I have been widowed for 42 years, and I live alone in a lovely house. On my last birthday, July 2, I turned 97 years young. I belong to many charitable and social clubs and am very active in them. Each year, instead of someone making a surprise party for me, I charter a mystery bus to my clubhouse. I call them Celebration of Life parties! This picture was taken with 14-year-old Teddy Gibson. He had adopted me as his grandmother from the time he could talk. Don't you think I have a lot to be thankful for?

- Frances B. Small, Columbus, N.J.

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