Something to raise your spirits today.

This is another one of those stories from TwitterX that deserves to be seen more widely. This is slightly abbreviated, so follow the link and get the whole story. We make fun of X a lot, some of it deserved, but every so often, a story like this one will show up, and show us that life outside the internet can still be pretty good. Here's a feel-good story out of the whole Los Angeles disaster.

It starts with an X post from Briana Cap:

Literally crying in the Target parking lot right now. 🧵 

I was struggling with unloading my toddler, my bags and wrangling an unruly cart (seriously — why do some lack power-steering?) A fire truck from Redondo Beach (E61) had just parked nearby and four firefighters got out.

The firefighters offered to help. She refused, saying the firefighters in the L.A. area had already been doing so much. They wouldn't take no for an answer. 

Normally I would have refused help, but this week? This week firefighters get a pass. 

You want to help me with my bags? Absolutely, my car’s over there. 

Want lunch? It’s on me. 

Need a Gatorade? What flavor? 

They like kids too. They made a point of paying attention to the toddler.

[T]his kind stranger offered my toddler a fist bump, which she happily accepted. The contrast of her cherubic, dimpled, unblemished little hand against his scratched, dirty and well-worn fist was striking. ...

Those hands have boldly and unflinchingly walked into literal fire this week. But today, in the Target parking lot, when they could have easily just gone about their business, those hands were a beautiful display of how selfless, kind and generous these firefighters are.

Yeah.  Thanks for that ray of light, Briana and Charlie.  And thanks very much to the people who try their best to put out these disastrous fires!  Much appreciated.