Editorial: Kindness remains the everyday norm

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--SEX OFFENDER RELEASED FROM PRISON

--EX-DOCTOR ARRESTED FOR SMASHING BOTTLES

--FLEEING RF MAN FINALLY CAUGHT IN MINNESOTA

It’s tempting to see prominent local stories and think the world — or, in this case, our community — is falling apart.

Stories with bad news often are placed on the front page. Why? Because they’re a deviation from the norm. They deviate so much from normal behavior that we’re left incredulous.

We read such stories out of a sense of disbelief, maybe also out of anger or outrage. Bad news is found in public records that are made available after an arrest, a citation, a criminal complaint, a jury’s verdict or a prison sentencing.

But it’s best to remember that good behavior is the norm.

In a civil society like ours good behavior happens all the time — every day, every hour, every minute. In fact good behavior is so normal as we proceed with our daily business that we take it for granted. It’s not even newsworthy.

Sometimes, however, good behavior stands out because it’s helped someone in a meaningful way and that person is filled with gratitude.

Last week the Journal profiled the special, good behavior of 17-year-old Devin Christopherson. Devin came upon Janell Norman who slipped on ice in Glen Park on a wintry afternoon and broke her ankle. She couldn’t get up and had no phone.

Devin did, and he phoned for help and never left Janell until her husband arrived so she could be driven to a doctor.

Janell recuperated and remained grateful that her mishap wasn’t worse. She also refused to let Devin’s kindness go unnoticed.

She had to find out who he was, which she eventually did. Then she contacted the Journal so his kind act could be recorded in a story for the rest of River Falls to read about.

That took effort on her part to recognize his kindness. Devin’s good behavior as a rescuer and Janell’s to highlight it are reminders of what is both normal and extraordinary about where we live, the place we call home.

Editor’s note: While we’re on the topic of everyday kindness and our community, please be sure to see this week’s letter from Laurel O’Rourke.

The Journal’s online poll question this week asked: Which word best describes your political persuasion?

Early results show: REPUBLICAN, 34.4%; DEMOCRAT, 28.1%; INDEPENDENT, 25%; APOLITICAL, 9.4%; and OBLIVIOUS, 3.1%.

Add your voice by going to www.riverfallsjournal.com

Tags: river falls, opinion, editorials