The Bright Side of Life

Let’s face it, the news today can be downright depressing. It’s important to remember that things aren’t all bad — in fact, there are some really great things happening around us all the time. Introducing, The Bright Side of Life!

Happy Friday, folks! Here are a few stories that brightened things up around the OO office this week:

President Obama announced postive and uplifting news this morning that the United States will stop deporting young children and begin granting work permits to some Dream Act-eligible students. "They pledge allegiance to our flag. They are Americans in their hearts, in their minds, in every single way but one: on paper," the President stated. "Effective immediately, the Department of Homeland Security is taking steps to lift the shadow of deportation from these young people."

Here in Oregon, a Gresham woman marked her 50th birthday by raising over $75,000 to provide to local charities. What a birthday gift!

Here are 70 cute baby animal pictures that we couldn't stop sharing around the office. (It's pretty high on the adoro-meter.) Enjoy squealing with delight. (And then, if you're anything like me, you'll discover this at picture #4 and become forever fixated.)

In honor of Father's Day, here's a touching story about a father and his daughter, as they navigated college together.

And enjoy these tips from Ms. Strieter's first grade class at the South Loop School in Chicago, Illinois on how to be a great dad: