In a chaotic and uncertain world, it helps to remember that good things are happening around us all the time. We think it’s important to pay attention to the good stuff. Here’s a roundup of uplifting stories to cheer your heart.

Four teenagers rescue 90-year-old neighbor from house fire

Dylan Wick, Seth Byrd, Nick Byrd and Wyatt Hall of Sapulpa, Oklahoma were just hanging out, trying to figure out what they were going to do for the evening when they noticed a smell like burning rubber in the air. Hall then noticed flames coming from the home of Catherine Ritchie, his 90-year-old neighbor. In a harrowing recounting of events posted by Ritchie’s daughter in a blog, her mother had been getting ready for bed when she returned to her room and saw that her bed was on fire. Ritchie attempted to smother the flames but was unsuccessful and she quickly became disoriented. She pushed the emergency alert button she wears but was unable to find her way out of the now smoke-filled house. The four boys, who are all football players and who range in age from 14 to 17, sprung into action. Two broke into the home while two called 911. It was 14-year-old Nick Byrd who carried Ritchie to safety, with the help of his brother Seth. “I just kind of heard her,” Nick told KTUL. “I went to the right of the house and no one was there. I went to the left of the house, and I saw her in the hallway, so I just grabbed her.”The boys then stayed with Ritchie, comforting and reassuring her, until emergency services arrived.

Universal Orlando employees show great kindness to young boy with autism

Heather Leigh Northrop wrote on Facebook about the experience her family had while visiting the Florida theme park. In her words: “Ralph is awesomely autistic, and we are proud to be a neurodiverse family.” Ralph was especially excited for the Spiderman ride. He waited patiently for his turn, but when it finally came, everyone was informed that the ride was broken and they’d all need to exit. Understandably, Ralph went into a full-blown meltdown, sobbing and hyperventilating as he lay on the floor. Immediately, a worker named Jen rushed over to make sure Ralph would not be trampled. And then to Northrop’s immense gratitude, Jen lay down on the floor next to Ralph, breathing with him until he was able to be calm. Northrop learned that everyone at Universal receives training for situations just such as this. Wanting to recognize the kindness shown to her son both during and after his meltdown, Northrop post this photo along with the story.

Home Depot workers build DIY PVC walker for toddler after parents explain insurance won’t cover one

Christian and Justin Moore of Cedar Town, Georgia went to their local home depot to look for materials to build a walker for their 2-year-old son Logan. Logan was born with a condition called hypotonia which hampers his ability to build muscle. This makes it difficult to walk and stand, and a physical therapist suggested a walker. When the couple learned that their insurance would not cover one, they went online and found instructions for how to build one themselves. When they explained what they were doing and showed their supply list to the workers at Home Depot, they were touched and surprised by the response. The workers sent the family off to get ice cream, and when the Moores returned, they found a finished walker. Employee Jeffrey Anderson posted this photo of the smiling tot.

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