The Sun Does Shine
By Anthony Ray Hinton
Anthony Hinton loved his mama more than anything in the world. He loved church, his best friend Lester, southern food and Alabama. His life was simple. In 1985, at 29, Hinton was cutting his mama’s lawn and was confronted by two deputies. What began as a few questions led to Hinton being arrested for two counts of capital murder and one attempted murder. Police discovered an old gun that had not been fired in 25 years in his mama’s home. They did not care that he was working that night and that the attempted murder was 15 miles away. His court-appointed attorney made it clear that none of this would matter to the white judge and jury. There was nothing he could do. The jury gave him life, the judge overturned the sentence and sent him to Death Row. Hinton spent 28 years fighting for his life through appeals. One day God sent an angel, a lawyer named Bryan Stevenson who reopened the case and won Hinton’s freedom. At 60, Hinton was reborn. The hope and love he radiates after being wrongfully incarcerated is simply astounding and a lesson to us all.
Almost Everything
By Anne Lamott
“Notes on Hope” is a sensitive and honest series of essays. These writings reflect the author’s personal experiences, but the readers can easily see themselves in the mirror of her truth. They explore childhood and parental expectations, struggling with relationships, alcohol abuse and the author’s ever-expanding belief in God and the Christian faith that guided much of her storytelling. Always grateful afterward for the hard lessons that probably saved her life, Lamott grew an even deeper desire to share with the world her personal journey. Carrying out her religious calling not only pushes Lamott to share private struggles through writing, but she will just as quickly offer the shirt off her back or hold the hand of a person during their final breaths of life. The humor that fills her Sunday mornings teaching a young group of students is magical, as we know kids say the darnedest – and most honest – things. This book is an easy, beautiful read filled with goodness, light and most importantly hope. Lamott is a well-known novelist and nonfiction writer whose words have the power to heal. She famously says, “The opposite of faith is not doubt; it’s certainty.”
Find the Good
By Heather Lende
Fewer than 2,000 people live in Haines, Alaska. Heather Lende writes the obituaries for this small town’s newspaper, the Chilkat Valley News. She is a mother, grandmother, wife, sister and friend, but in this tiny town, she is more. Lende is the keeper of memories as she honors those who have passed. Even the grumpiest, quietest and most troubled souls are often misunderstood. They, too, have a life worth remembering, and this author digs deep to find that special something for each person she memorializes. As in most small towns, everyone knows each other and life revolves around helping those in need. Daily tasks and routine can bring joy and comfort. Yes, a simple hello to a neighbor can change someone’s day. As these emotional and humorous essays teach beautiful life lessons, Lende describes the daily growth we experience as we age, simple things people take for granted until the end looms near. Her warmth, wisdom and faith are contagious – reminding us to be grateful for what we have, not focused on what we don’t. Read this book and pass it on – it’s a gift that keeps on giving.
#WORTHWATCHING: Inspired by a real-life journey, “A Million Miles Away” is the story of a young boy who grew up as a poor migrant worker in California. Always devoted to his family and community, he never gave up on his lifelong dream of becoming a NASA astronaut. Watch on Prime Video.
