Today’s good news story comes from the Good News Network. Here it is complete.
SWNS
Man Spells Out ‘Hi Kevin’ in Lights for 20 Years–to Honor His Neighbor
Every Christmas, Mike Witmer gets out his colored lights to weave a very specific message out into the night.
Witmer says passersby are sometimes confused by his lights, which read ‘Hi Kevin’ across his roof, but it’s to honor the memory of a young boy who passed away from cancer in 2010.
For the past two decades, he has featured a reference to Kevin in his light displays. Kevin was diagnosed with cancer in 2002 when he was just 11. That year Mike had written ‘Get Well Kevin’ in lights.
The pair had lived on neighboring roads, and Kevin had loved seeing Mike’s light displays each December.
He continued to reference the lad in his lights every year until his tragic death eight years later in June 2010.
Mike vowed to honor Kevin’s life by continuing their much-loved tradition of installing his largest display yet on his roof so that Kevin could still see the lights from above.
“Kevin was a cool kid in the neighborhood. He swam on the local swim team with my kids, and we all became friends,” said Witmer from Gaithersburg, Maryland.
“When I heard he had cancer and was going through chemo and radiotherapy, I wanted to support him. I had this idea to write ‘Get Well Kevin’ in my Christmas lights—what 11-year-old doesn’t want to see their name in lights?”
Witmer continued to do it every year, even after his cancer went into remission and Kevin went off to college.
“But he had just finished his first year of college when the cancer came back—and it took him,” he recalled. “I told everyone to come by that year, and the ‘Hi Kevin’ would be bigger so he can see it from up in heaven.”
“This is my 20th anniversary of the tribute to Kevin, and I’ll keep doing it every year as long as I’m able.”
Kevin’s mother told Witmer that Kevin loved the display so much that he had asked if it would be done every year.
“I thought, ‘how could I not?’ and the tradition was born,” he said.
Every year after that, Mike would find some way to display a tribute to Kevin in his lights display, placing it in a different spot for Kevin to find, like a game of Where’s Waldo.
He recently shared the sweet story of his and Kevin’s relationship in a Facebook post, which was shared widely and attracted thousands of likes and comments by people touched by his tribute.
The good news here is this man brought cheer to someone very much in need. Today’s JohnKu talks about those in need. I hope you have a Joyous Holiday.
Cheer by John W.Howell 2023
It might be something,
Very small that cheers a heart. . .
Don’t miss the good deed.
Fiction Favorites 
❤
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😊
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A wonderful story and JohnKu! Such small things can bring us the greatest cheer. Thanks for sharing, John. Have a wonderful holiday season. Hugs 💕🙂
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I hope you have a wonderful holiday as well, Harmony. At least I will pray that you do. ❤️
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💖
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🤗
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Taking the time to care, year after year. Moved.
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I agree. Quite a guy.
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That’s so sweet.
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It is.
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Wonderful gesture.
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I agree.
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What a beautiful thing to do!
And your JohnKu says it all… the little things mean big things.
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They do, Dale. Thanks.
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🙂
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What a kind thing for Mike to do! It must mean the world to Kevin’s family that the tradition has continued after his death.
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I think so too, Liz.
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A wonderful story!
For a change, I actually have one for your readers….
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Thank you, GP. That is a wonderful story. 😁
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A sweet story and a real gift!
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It is a sweet story. Thanks, Noelle.
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Some traditions are centuries old, while some are counted only in years — but the length of time doesn’t matter. This is quite wonderful.
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Thank you, Linda. I quite agree.
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What a wonderful gesture, and even more after Kevin’s passing.
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So true. Thanks, Teri.
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That’s so wonderful!
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Thank you, Deborah.
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Great story of a kind and considerate gesture, John! 🙂
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I agree, Tim. Thank you.
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I does us well to see that as a society we are neither too busy or two callous to tend to the needs of others. Heart warming John.
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I agree, John. Thanks for the comment.
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What a wonderful tradition!
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I agree, Dan
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Wonderful story, John. Thanks for sharing!
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Thank you, Jill.
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That was lovely! Small actions can have huge consequences.
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Yes they can. Thanks, Pamela.
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This news must be published all over France, dear John…to make the blue chickens ponder upon something more important than foie gras. Thank you! 🙂 🎄🎄🎄🍤🍤🍤🍻🎉🎉🧨
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Ha ha ha. Let’s hope so Maria. 🥂🍰
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😉😉😉😁
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😁
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We were on the same page with this beautiful story Boss and really, I’m not surprised in the least.
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Me either. 😁
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This one really touched me. Perfect for the season!
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Yes it is. Thanks, Jo.
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A heart warmer!
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Yes indeed.
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A wonderful good news Friday!
I hope Kevin does see it from heaven. I’m in heaven reading about it.
Your JohnKu is perfect.
Thank you for Fridays, John!
🐂🎄🐂🍷🐂🥃🐂🌟
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Aw you say the nicest things. Thank you. 🐂 🌹 🐂 🎊 🐂 🍷 🐂 👏🏻🤭
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🐂 🌹 🐂 🎊 🐂 🍷 🐂 👏🏻🤭🐂 🌹 🐂 🎊 🐂 🍷 🐂 👏🏻🤭🐂 🌹 🐂 🎊 🐂 🍷 🐂 👏🏻🤭 (Feeling a bit overboard today!)
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Who is feeding the OXes?
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I thought you were? They’re vegetarian.
ox ox ox ox
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Yes they are that’s why I thought you were. OX OX OX OX 🥬🥦🌽
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Oh fer!!! Gotta love those OXen!
It’s not so much the feeding, it’s the….. other…… end! OX OX OX OX
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All organic too OX OX OX OX
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Good for the garden! OX OX OX OX
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Watch your shoes though. OX OX OX OX
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FU@&!!!! Now you tell me! OX OX OX OX
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Don’t cross the white carpet……Oh too late.
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Uch! well… (p)oops…!!!
You know, Charles Bronson had a white carpet.. and couch and chairs and everything!!!
Hopefully you will beta read this and other poo … erm … memoirs one day.
O X
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I’ll read anything you write.
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Get ready! Sending …. an anecdote in a coupe of days! (w/crib notes that I think should be worked in). Also a larger premise will be presented. 💋
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I’ll be looking for it.
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Gosh… Wow. So sweet.
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I know right?
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Right.
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Right.
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Haha!
Right. 😉
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🤓
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