Good morning, HapiFriends! 👋

Happy Mother’s Day (a day late… we know) to all of our mother readers. We hope your day was filled with relaxation, joy, and the recognition you so deeply deserve!

For all the non-mother readers, we also hope you had a great weekend! While it is Monday and many of us dread the start of the workweek, what better way is there to lift your spirits than to see the good things happen in the world?

Trick question - there is none. So, let’s dive into some uplifting news stories for today! 👇

Quote of the Day 🗣

This Mother Opened a Smoothie Shop That Employs People With Special Needs

When Maryland mom Monique Sotomarino recognized the lack of safe, inclusive spaces for her three special needs children, she decided to establish her own. She founded That Smoothie Place, a smoothie shop designed to be a judgement-free zone welcoming people of all abilities. Sotomarino's mission extends beyond creating a welcoming atmosphere; she partners with Montgomery County Public Schools to offer internships and jobs, ensuring her focus includes individuals across the spectrum of abilities.

While the unique atmosphere of That Smoothie Place might mean a slightly longer wait for your smoothie, Sotomarino has curated an engaging environment with games at every table, encouraging customers to disconnect from their phones and interact with each other. Sotomarino's vision doesn't stop at her Damascus-based business; she aims to expand That Smoothie Place to other cities, partnering with additional school districts. Her ultimate goal? To normalize the presence and participation of individuals with special needs in the workforce, fostering understanding and acceptance through shared experiences.

A 25-Year-Old Time Capsule Was Dug Up ⌛️

A forgotten time capsule buried by students at Brennan Middle School in Attleboro over 25 years ago has finally been unearthed. The capsule, filled with T-shirts, schoolwork, and pennants, was created by students from fifth to eighth grade back in 1997. The original plan was to dig it up 25 years later, but over time the exact location of the capsule was lost, transforming it into a local mystery.

The mystery was solved when a search team, aided by a ground-penetrating radar, managed to locate the time capsule within 20 minutes. According to Dawn Greening, a teacher at the time of the capsule's burial, the recovered items are in poor condition but will be displayed at a ceremony on June 10. This event will serve as an informal reunion for the 1997 students, offering them a unique journey back to their middle school days.

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How a Service Dog Rescued a PTSD-Stricken Veteran 🐶

After witnessing the horrors of 9/11 as a high school sophomore, John Tappen knew he wanted to serve his country. Enlisting in the U.S. Navy in 2006, Tappen embraced his role as a flight engineer. However, a deployment to the Middle East in 2009 significantly altered his life, leading to struggles with intense and unfamiliar emotions. Upon his return, Tappen's family noticed a drastic change in his demeanor, and he was later diagnosed with PTSD. Despite seeking help from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), undergoing therapy, and taking up to 20 medications a day, Tappen found his condition worsening, to the point where he struggled with thoughts of taking his own life.

In the midst of this dark time, Tappen and his mother attended an event for veterans in Jacksonville, Florida, where they encountered K9s For Warriors. This organization rescues shelter dogs and trains them to become service dogs for veterans. Initially, Tappen didn't believe he deserved a service dog due to his invisible scars, a sentiment echoed by his family. But eventually, he applied and was paired with a poodle named Henry. Since then, Henry has provided Tappen with an unexpected lifeline, effectively halving his life into periods "Before Henry" and "After Henry." Tappen credits Henry with giving him hope and bringing positivity into his life, sentiments echoed by his grateful mother who states, "I have my son back."

Hapi Hits 😊

💐 Happy Mother’s Day. These mother-daughter duos share inspiration and encouragement.

🐠 Swimming with a big fish. This guy was convinced that he should get in the ocean with a massive fish and it’s hilarious.

👶 Hearing mom and dad. This baby hears mom and dad for the first time and it’s adorable.

Post of the Day 👀

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