Hi Do Good Crew,
This week, we’re looking at the different ways to celebrate life to the fullest and small actions that can leave lasting impacts.
A former journalist finds a new purpose writing letters from pets who have passed, messages from across the rainbow bridge.
A simple way you can help a grieving mother smile and keep her son’s journey going around the world.
Seniors living their best lives in a Lamborghini, proving joy doesn’t have an age limit.
And a powerful reminder that wanting more out of your life isn’t something to be ashamed of.
Let’s get into it.
With gratitude,
David
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Photo Credit: Maria Solis
What If Your Pet Could Write You A Letter From Heaven?
Like me, Maria Solis worked in a newsroom for many years. She loved it, but over time, the constant focus on what was going wrong in the world started to weigh on her. It didn’t match who she was or who she wanted to be. So, Maria made a decision that a lot of people think about but rarely make. She walked away.
Because of her journalism background, the California woman was a great writer. And she found a way to use that skill in a completely different way.
The Heart
Maria writes letters to people who have lost their pets. But these aren’t ordinary letters. She writes them from the perspective of the animal that has passed away, speaking directly to the person grieving.
The letters reflect the unique relationship between the pet and its owner, from the routines and quirks to the quiet moments they shared. And in that voice, she offers something many grieving people are searching for: reassurance, gratitude, and love that still feels present.
“I know how much our pets mean to us,” she said. “They are family. They are soul companions. They love unconditionally, so I set out to create one-of-a-kind pet sympathy gifts that speak directly to the heart… tangible reminders that love doesn’t die.”
The Journey
It all started with her own heartbreak.
Maria had a dog named Kimba. When Kimba died, the grief was overwhelming. It wasn’t just the loss, it was the absence of a daily presence, the silence where there used to be connection. She needed a way to process it. So, she wrote a letter. From Kimba to her.
She began writing letters for friends, adding a photo of the pet with angel wings. More people reached out, and it became Heaven Sent Pets. Then, it reached a much bigger stage.
After losing her dog, Chrissy Teigen received a letter and read it aloud to her Instagram followers. You can hear in her voice how much it touched her. And, that touched Maria, “Seeing people react with such raw emotion and gratitude confirms that Heaven Sent Pets isn’t just a business: it’s a mission to honor the bond between humans and their pets.”
The Takeaway
Maria chose a different way to tell stories, ones that don’t inform, but comfort. Learn more about Heaven Sent Pets and honor a beloved pet’s memory. You can see one of the letters by clicking here.
Do Good Crew Tip: Our crew member Jason says when someone he knows loses a pet, he sends them the book Lily and the Octopus by Steven Rowley. It’s a beautiful story about love, loss, and the bond we share with our animals. In the comments below, tell us how you have dealt with the loss of a pet.
This Do Good Crew Newsletter Is Sponsored By Incogni
Last Month, A Woman Shared That Her Phone Wouldn’t Stop Ringing.
At first, it was just spam. Then it escalated. Someone had her address, her email, even details she does not remember ever sharing. It left her feeling exposed.
Stories like that are becoming more common.
Behind the scenes, data brokers collect and sell personal information, often without people realizing it. In some cases, that is how scammers get what they need to reach you.
This is where a service like Incogni comes in handy. It works by:
Removing your personal data from those databases
Keeping watch for new threats
And alerting you if something changes.
The goal is simple. To help reduce the risk of phishing, impersonation, and identity theft before they start.
The Podcast
The Person Who Believed In Me
In this week’s episode, movie mogul Sherry Lansing. Sherry didn’t just break barriers in Hollywood; she redefined leadership as the first woman to run a major studio. The force behind films like Forrest Gump, Titanic, and Braveheart.
But when you sit across from her, that’s not what stays with you. What stays is how honest she is about not believing in herself for a long time.
In this episode, she talks about her first therapist, who told her to stay home and bake pies. Then, she met Dr. Joshua Hoffs, who didn’t judge her. He believed in her when she didn’t believe in herself.
Some moments you’ll remember:
She admits the hardest thing to unlearn was feeling ashamed of wanting more out of her life.
She explains how therapy gave her tools to keep going, even on the hard days.
She talks about leading with kindness and why that never meant being weak.
She opens up about her husband, the one person who loved her unconditionally, and how that kind of belief changes you.
And, the wild casting story behind the movie Fatal Attraction. She knew Glenn Close was wrong for the role until finally relenting and giving her ten minutes to prove her wrong. The rest is Hollywood history.
Make A Grieving Mother Smile
If I told you that you could do something to put a smile on a grieving mother’s face, would you do it?
Phyllis Green wrote to me about her son, Ryan. The Texas native was 25 when he died in May 2024. His life wasn’t easy. He was born with a chromosome abnormality that left him unable to walk or talk. Phyllis told me, “his little body had simply been through so much and was so tired from fighting for so many years.”
After he died, his family made a choice. Because of Ryan’s love of travel, they created Journey4Ryan, giving away keychains with his name and photo to anyone willing to take it on an adventure. Now, Ryan’s parents get photos of people with Ryan’s keychain all around the world. Ryan has “visited” almost every U.S. state and nearly 50 countries.
Two complete strangers both took Ryan to Portugal at the same time. Phyllis said it felt like more than a coincidence. Like a reminder that connection doesn’t end when a life does.
“I never imagined how far these little keychains would travel and how many hearts would carry him. We are so grateful.”
So, I’m asking you to be a part of this. Go to Journey4Ryan on Instagram and send a message asking for a keychain. Take him with you, post a picture, and then pass it on to someone else.
Let’s keep Ryan on his journey and put a smile on his mom’s face.
Sherry Lansing says that at 81, her life is “damn great.” What would it take for you to say the same about your life?
The results from last week’s poll are in! 39% of you said that when things get hard, your family and friends keep you going. 27% said faith keeps you going.
Goodie Bag
☀️ Zero to 60 to combat loneliness. Mark Cody shows up at seniors’ homes in a black-and-pink Lamborghini and asks a simple question: “Want to go for a joyride?” That’s Granborghini. It’s not really about the car. It’s about breaking through loneliness with something unexpected, loud, and human.
Photo Credit: Mark Cody
Photo Credit: KTVU
☀️ Priest donates a kidney to his buddy, another priest. A San Francisco priest battling kidney disease finally asked for help. Dozens of people stepped forward, but only one was a match, his friend, Father Francis Garbo.
This story came to us from a member of the Do Good Crew Facebook group, Kellee Hollinger. Thanks, Kellee!
A Lesson In Living From A Dying Woman: My Professor
Click image to see the story
There are teachers you remember, and then there are the ones who change how you live.
For me, that was Dr. Sarah Brabant. She taught Death and Dying at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Now, at 93, she’s facing metastatic cancer and living exactly what she taught.
When her doctor gave the diagnosis, she graded him. “He gets an A plus,” she told me.
She declined treatment; she chose hospice and clarity.
“We don’t talk about death,” she said. “We say ‘passed away.’ No. I died.”
She’s prepared. At peace. Still teaching. I went to see my professor one last time.
In this week’s Beg-Knows America, we get the last lesson.
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One More Thing…
There’s a moment in the 2017 Pixar movie Coco where they say a person isn’t truly gone as long as they’re remembered. As long as someone says their name, they’re still here.
I think there’s something real in that. I believe that every time you say someone’s name, their spirit is present in that moment. In a story, in a laugh, in the way they shaped you. They’re back in the room, even for a second.
And maybe living fully means carrying forward the people (and the pets) who made you who you are.
Whose name do you need to say out loud today? Share it in the comments below. We’d love to hear it.
Made with love by David Begnaud and the team.
Stories that set your soul on fire.
