Every day in the national news and in our own paper, there are stories of possible world doom and insurance that’s gone awry.

We read about the lack of leadership and the continued corruption of elected officials. We watch on television as students from the prestigious American University in Washington D.C. cannot tell you the name of one senator or congressman but can tell you the name of the song that was in the movie Frozen.

We have people attacking others viciously and, most times erroneously, behind the cloak of social media offerings such as Facebook without recourse.

It makes you think there is no hope for civilization, especially for our country, which was once known as a prosperous and powerful nation to those of us who grew up in the era of the baby boomers.

Just when you feel hope is lost, there comes a glimmer that we have young people in the wings that have been raised the right way, and are caring and are capable of righting the ship of state, which is floundering.

Katlyn Williams, age 13, from Mansfield and a student at Indian Creek Middle School is one of those bright glimmers of hopes. Instead of wanting presents and worldly things for her 13th birthday, she wants her friends and family to give her cash so that she can give the money to the Michael J. Fox foundation that fights Parkinson disease.

We don’t know many 13 year olds that are willing to give up the bounty that comes with the 13th birthday.

Katlyn lost her grandfather to this dreaded disease and wants to insure that some other 13 year olds do not have to lose their granddad for the same reason.

We thank Katlyn for making us smile and for renewing our hope for a bright future for all of our children and grandchildren.