Life constantly throws curve balls at our good intentions. Some we dodge and others hit us square between the eyes.

I look forward to a new year. After a year like 2025, I was anxious to lift the Magic Slate page to erase the hurt. I had much to be thankful for, but I was eager to move forward.

Then Minneapolis happened.

No Good Response

Like a large part of the world, I watched in horror as a young mother/wife/daughter was shot and killed on a quiet residential street in south Minneapolis, Minnesota. Renee Nicole Good was in her SUV with her wife, Becca Good, who shared the following.

“On Wednesday, January 7th, we stopped to support our neighbors. We had whistles. They had guns.”

The fury grew as the soulless swarm villianized Renee, the mother with stuffed animals in her SUV’s glove compartment. Welcome to the marginalized world of the “deliberately disadvantaged people.”

My early plans for social media postings for 2026 no longer felt important. In fact, they felt disrespectful. Did you feel the same way? How could I promote my book or online store when our privileged world got turned upside down? Renee’s story hits too close to home.

• In the 80s, I lived about 20 minutes from that quiet residential street.
• I have a niece, Renee, who spells her name the same way with two e’s.
• I, too, try to help my neighbors.

How do we respond to this tragedy?

Honor the Good

The heartfelt, gracious words of Renee’s wife, Becca, says it better than I ever could.

So at a time I look at the year’s goals, I remember Renee. We move forward when we remember what we value. We choose to be better. We select a better path. Rest in peace, Renee Nicole Good. We will not forget you.