GOOD MISCELLANEA:
a short story, my thanks, giving credit, and a few final notes
1. A T-SHIRT STORY
There's a coffee shop in a neighboring town — someone had recommended it at a party a couple of years ago, and I decided to check it out the very next day. To the side of the entry door was a merchandise display, though not for the usual coffee shop brand-boosting you might expect. T-shirts and rows of drinkware filled the shelves, each printed with the words TELL ME WHAT'S GOOD™. I was intrigued.
A QR-coded flyer near the merchandise told me more. The coffee shop*, it turns out, is owned by a local family whose third child — a son — was born four months early; this type of early birth is termed extreme prematurity and requires an excruciating, precarious-by-the-hour, and — in the most hopeful of circumstances — months-long NICU immersion**. The information flyer indicated that sales of the coffee shop merchandise helped fund the foundation they created to support fellow families navigating a similar NICU road***. I bought a t-shirt on the spot ➡️.
I could not stop thinking about their slogan — TELL ME WHAT'S GOOD. I read more about their foundation and the slogan's backstory; "Tell me [us] what's good" was the first question Stephanie and Ben asked their son's medical team at the start of each frequent, anxiety-dense NICU update. These parents needed to hear any tiny shred of good or hope before every other devastating possibility was laid out each day. And so they asked for it.
When I've worn my t-shirt out and about, none of this context exists; but even absent the backstory, the tagline takes on a life of its own as an open-ended opportunity to engage. TELL ME WHAT'S GOOD. Is this an invitation to friendly conversation? Is it a skeptical challenge? A lamenting plea? Something else entirely?
To me, the simple engagement the t-shirt extends is actually the key. When a person's world goes dark, there's a tendency to stay in the dark, because seeing the brightness of other people's seemingly-normal lives can be nearly blinding. This was true for me. But then also, for many, it becomes a near-necessity to go looking for — even asking for — some light, which was also true for me.
It would be a very tidy story to say I started this website as a response to a coffee shop's heat-transferred graphic t-shirt. In fact, this site had been brewing on its own for a very long time and was finally spurred into motion a.) by life calming down and b.) after writing a wonder-and-good-themed Christmas letter last December. And honestly, the shirt had blended with the other greens in my closet and I hadn't worn it in a while. But this past week, when I spotted it and pulled it from its hanger, I couldn't help but let out a quick, surprised, teary, little Oh!
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"Tell Me What's Good."
"Okay, Here's One Good Thing."
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* * * * *
*You can visit FOX•DOG Coffee in Erie, CO
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**Side note: my niece is a Respiratory Therapist at a Level III+ NICU, where she and her care team work to save the tinest lives. They do their complex jobs with the most miniscule of tubes, wires, and intricate, beeping, life-sustaining machinery. Their days and nights are marked by miracles, grief, pain, small gains, fear, and hope — all threaded with deep ties to the families of their NICU babies. My fullest admiration, appreciation, and love to you, Liss 💛.
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***Learn more about the Hauser family's foundation at 4those.org
👟
Rick: Who do you get when you combine consistency of character; minimal ego; big heart; an easy laugh with crinkly eyes; leadership with a golf caddy mentality; integrity; generosity; wisdom; engaged + loving fatherhood; engaged + loving husbandhood; a drive for learning + understanding; instant wit; service-mindedness; exceptional work ethic + time management + family travel agenting; Tom Hanks look-and-act alike-ness; a humble faith life; prodigious sports and Bruce Springsteen knowledge; and a make-it-fun mindset? You get Rick Hanaway, that's who. The best part is you can ask anyone who has ever known him and they will probably all say the very same thing. You're the finest human I know — my most grateful love and thanks to you.
Em + Claire: They say adversity builds character ... well sheesh, gals: you really went through it, and I guess the good news is you both have so much character 👻. We often played that line as a rueful, recurring family joke ("Hey! At least you're building character!!"), but also ... it actually is true, too. Your particular histories forged you into beautifully resilient, compassionate, wise, and cleverly-funny-in-your-own-ways young women. You are two very tough, smart, quick-witted cookies, each so interesting in your distinct Em-ness and Claire-ness. You teach me daily (tech tips + pop culture + latest reads [E + C]; college football + T Swift + education [E]; food/movie life + skincare + Sweet Pea the cat [C]; and all manner of big + small life lessons [E + C]). I'm profoundly thankful for our years around the table ... and in the car, and on the couch, and wherever we all find ourselves now. Our UniQuE past knits us together and now we get to watch how your futures unfold. Front row seats! I love you both with the fullest heart.
My mom and dad, Judy + Gene Kennedy: My dad was a slow and steady, friend-to-all, smartly observational storyteller and my mom was a fast-moving, somewhat klutzy, ever-thoughtful and ever-giving engine for family, friendship, and community. We know that together they are still cheering on their kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids with the fullest belief and greatest love. It's the most beautiful legacy. We all miss you so 🩶.
Kennedy Family Second Gen-ers: Cheri + Dan, Greg + Connie, and Sandra + Kirk: The TRL pontoon cruise OGs who embody the full, funny, love-amped spirit of abbondanza. Over four decades of sweaty, chigger-y Quiet Acres life means deep bonds, full memories, loads of shared anti-itch cream, and so much love. Grateful for each of you — and also for each Third-and Fourth-Gen-er, who together and individually have expanded our family in the very best way.
My mother- and father-in-law, Judy + Dean Hanaway: They happily burst every standard in-law joke with their unwavering and unconditional love, kindness, generosity, humor, and support. I hit the jackpot with a loving, quippy pie queen and a fix-and-grow-it-all MacGyver — and our girls did too. You two are a tremendous gift. We all love you AND we love being with you.
Susan: My brilliant, beautiful blockbuster combo of sister-in-law / sister / friend / intellectual property legal advisor. You light up a room and all of our lives. Big bonus: we get to have more and more fun together as the years go by — it's the best trajectory!
Kelly + Barney + fam: The pumpkin patches, the dinners, the deck, the longtime love and care. Our conversations pop, the laughs are huge, and our tanks always overflow after spending time with you. Your big-hearted friendship is priceless!
Betsy: My love-filled listener and hand-holder at the dining room table every Tuesday morning for three years straight. You are the absolute definition of faithful and wise, and you continue as my now-long-distance sparkling role model for living as fully, richly, and deeply as possible.
Claire L: On another level with love, care, faith, and hospitality. You were joyfully essential in helping us survive the college years — champion-level! Forever grateful to you.
Kay: My generous and deep-thinker Lone Star friend, always with a thoughtful book recommendation and a kind reminder that Texas wants us anyway 🤠.
Laura, Melissa, Jen, Renee, Shelley, Ann, Mary K, Lori E, and Monika: Steadfastly, lovingly, and sometimes literally walking with us in Seattle through the thickest parts. And also to Jone, for her steady love and support from Iowa. Thank you all for bringing so much comfort and light into our lives.
Mary R: My boss for one year and writing encourager for the past 35: "So, Lib, (asked with trademark Mary R-style emphasis) when are you going to start your own writing?" Thank you for your Egg Harbor Cafe persistence and love.
Meredith W: Coach of the Year(s)
2. THANKS + LOVE
This is not a book, so why are we seeing thank yous and such? Because even a website takes a village to build (as least when I am the builder), and — more to the point — much of the meaning and material for this site has been generated alongside so many people over so many roads for such a long time. Thus, I'm happily bucking standard website protocol and giving my fullest, sincerest, and loving-est thanks to:
3. CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE
a.) Sincere thanks to photographer John Beale, who captured the iconic image of Fred Rogers and Officer Clemmons/François Clemmons featured for our "Extra Good: Good People" category. What photo could say more? I am grateful for his kind permission to share the photograph on this site.
b.) The You Are Beautiful message featured for "Extra Good: Good Spaces and Places" is painted on the side of a tiny minimalist-jewelry-and-more shop called THALKEN in Lafayette, CO. No kickbacks here — just happy to support this lovely small business 😀.
c.) Credit for the creased kraft paper background image that pops up frequently throughout this website goes to Ivan Gromov@Creative Supplies Co. (via Unsplash)
d.) Credit for my bright little bird pal/sidekick goes to WIX, the website host/builder for Here's One Good Thing. All other graphics used throughout the site are also from WIX's treasure chest of vector art..
e.) Unless otherwise noted, all photos are by Libby K. Hanaway and may not be reproduced without permission. Website design also by Libby K. Hanaway — website malfunctions probably by Libby K. Hanaway, too.
4. NOTES
a.) ACCURACY: For my undergraduate degree in journalism and my graduate degree in history, I was trained in accuracy, evidence, fact-checking, reliable sourcing, primary documents, and other tight expectations for writing. With my right hand on the cover of my bright orange, 3.5-pound 17th Edition of The Chicago Manual of Style, I pledge to write with honesty and accuracy, although — alas — probably not always with grammatical precision.
b.) EDITING: And speaking of The Chicago Manual of Style, I cannot resist ongoing editing, so here and there you'll probably see a better word swapped in or a missing comma added after I publish a blog post. If I've made a mistake in accuracy that materially affects the content or meaning of a post, I'll note any subsequent correction at the end of the page just like the newspapers do.
c.) ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE: I'm here with an emphatic nope to using AI in my writing. For better or for worse, you can be assured this work is 100% Libby.
d.) PRIVACY PART 1: Many readers know my two daughters by name, but because they are young adults now living their own lives, I'll usually refer to them here as E (big sis) and C (younger sis).
e.) PRIVACY PART 2: For other friends and family mentioned in posts or appearing in pics, I'll be asking permission before blasting them out into the webisphere.
f.) CURRENT EVENTS: I am very much a news person, and I am also full of thoughts and opinions, none of which — in the interest of keeping this a good vibes zone — will be explicitly shared here. Also, I will try to post on a regular schedule, which inevitably will coincide with a terrible news event. For the most part, Here's One Good Thing will keep to the calendar, not with indifference but with the conviction that many of us still need some light in the darkness. Feel free to skip over this sort of chirpy lightweight content for a while — we'll still be here when you're ready to check back in.