It's the United Nations of nonnas! 👵🏼🍝

Hello, and welcome to the latest edition of the Humankind newsletter. I'm your kindness correspondent, Terry Baddoo, guiding you through this week's selection from the most uplifting stories on the planet! 🌎+❤️

So, who doesn't love a bit of nostalgia? A blast from the past is good for the soul, and there's nothing more nostalgic than the warm, fuzzy memories of grandma's cooking 👵🏼. That's why my favorite story of the week features some very talented self-taught grandma chefs, or nonnas as they're known in Italian. These grannies are making a name for themselves on the New York restaurant scene, where they supply good food 🍝 and comfort at an Italian eatery called Enoteca Maria in Staten Island. Restaurant owner, Joe Scaravella, was grieving the loss of his nonna, mother, and sister when he came up with the idea of asking other nonnas to cook in his restaurant kitchen. Initially, only Italian grandmas were invited, but now it's a United Nations of nonnas providing a range of home-style dishes from all over the world in a cozy atmosphere. Comfort food never tasted so good.

The taste of home is one of the things those in the military miss when they're away. And tomorrow there's a chance to salute their many sacrifices on Armed Forces Day 🇺🇸. As you may know, our Militarykind platform is devoted to honoring the men and women in uniform. Armed Forces Day celebrates members of all six military branches: the Army, Air Force, Space Force, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard.

Ok, before you go, look out below 👇👇👇 for some of my other favorite stories of the week. We love dogs at Humankind, and you'll find few cuter than this chocolate Labrador, who turned photographer 📸. Also, a first-generation college graduate dedicates her success to her parents. Elsewhere, a circus veteran celebrates her 100th birthday by starring in a knife-throwing act 🫣; a woman's kindness reunites a dog with its owner after two years apart; and Cuban immigrants count the ways they're grateful to be living in America.

Enjoy! We'll see you next time.