Opinion: Finding Meaning

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A Good News Story

There’s more good news in the world than bad news. A lot more. That’s my conclusion as a long-time observer. Sadly, it seems the opposite because bad news is more reported. It’s an odd aspect of the human condition, this tendency to bad news. The Beautiful Wife and I have a daughter with the goal to reverse this by spreading good news. (Check out the Facebook page and Instagram @GoodNewsLaguna.) Here’s a story she shared from social media, later covered by The Orange County Register.

The story begins when Veronica Ancheta Wold, a 27-year career nurse camping at Doheny State Beach and resting during a bike ride, joins a conversation with Aaron Minnick and his father Dan. Aaron told of an 11-year bucket list wish to surf, unfulfilled because he was born with cerebral palsy that immobilized one arm and limits balance and coordination. It took Aaron until age six, after surgery and tireless practice, to learn to walk. He later learned to swim but, though out of high school, hadn’t conquered surfing.

Veronica took it all in and offered to help Aaron learn to surf despite his disability. She then reached out to friends on social media inviting their support. The word reached Mike and Carrie Foster, co-owners of Killer Dana Surf Shop, who offered a surfboard. Anthony Vela of Performance Paddling offered to instruct. When Aaron arrived for his surf lesson he was surprised by a swelling crowd of supporters, all strangers yet bearing surf gifts, plus fire engines to lend sound support.

Veronica Wold with Aaron Minnick and his handicap-modified surfboard labeled “Team Aaron.” Photo courtesy of Dan Minnick.

It wasn’t easy, there were spills, but with persistence he slowly improved until he was finishing rides to the cheers of his impromptu support team and the blaring of sirens. It was a moment of pure joy and a spontaneous bonding of strangers brought together in an act of caring. Now that’s a good news story you have to love.

Thinking about the story, I marveled how joy can happen in the most unlikely situations. Veronica, who got it all started, is a long-haul COVID-19 survivor who has been out of work for months. Mike and Carrie Foster, like many retail business people, have been worried to death, fighting to save their business during the pandemic. Aaron, a humble likable kid described as “an exceptional human being,” copes with the life-long limitation of cerebral palsy. His father Dan cares for five foster children with varying limitations. These aren’t the usual ingredients for making joy.

I visited with Mike and Carrie at Killer Dana where on a busy morning they kindly shared their story. They didn’t want this to be about them. They gave the credit to others including Veronica, Aaron and his father Dan, new life-long friends under the banner “Team Aaron.” And they gave profound thanks for the joy that overcame them in a moment of caring service. There’s meaning in that.

Skip fell in love with Laguna on a ‘50s surfing trip. He’s a student of Laguna history and the author of Loving Laguna: A Local’s guide to Laguna Beach. Email: [email protected]

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