For the last couple of years, I have compiled a year-end thread of little things during the year that made me smile or served as a nice antidote to the hellscape we currently find ourselves in. Guess what? It’s that time of year again. Buckle up!
1. A child is asked to name the President of Ireland. They write, ‘Miggeldy Higens’. The President is henceforth referred to as Miggeldy by the people of Ireland. 💯 
2. Blackpool Police ask the public for help in identifying a man suspected of stealing beers from a restaurant. The suspect happens to be the spitting image of David Schwimmer. Hilarity ensues.
3. Senegal’s absolutely joyous warm-up routine at the World Cup. I defy you to watch this and not feel better for it.
4. June 23, 2018: a group of Thai boys and their soccer coach get trapped in a cave and spend eighteen days there before finally being rescued.
October 28, 2018: Happy, healthy and delighted with life at Old Trafford! 🙏
October 28, 2018: Happy, healthy and delighted with life at Old Trafford! 🙏
5. Beychella ruled. Watching the Everybody Mad dance break makes me feel like I've taken ten Berocca.
7. This photo ❤️
8. The Cranberries being blasted through Croke Park following Limerick’s remarkable All Ireland victory. Dreams do come true.
9. German Madrazo took up skiing last year. At 43, he realised his dream of becoming an Olympian when he represented Mexico in cross country skiing at the Winter Olympics. He finished dead last but received a hero’s welcome at the finish line.
10. Missy Elliott and her funky white sister 💃
11. Nonso Muojeke has lived in Ireland for eleven years. Earlier this year, he and his family were threatened with deportation. His classmates teamed up to campaign against his deportation and eventually he was granted leave to remain. My heart.
12. This trendy Japanese teen walking around Tokyo in an iconic Eircom soccer jersey. tokyofashion.com/tokyo-streetwe…
13. 🎶 zendaya is meechee 🎶
14. Michelle Williams and Phil Elverum finding each other and getting married warmed the cockles of my heart.
15. LONG LOST DOG BROTHERS 🐶
16. ‘I’ve waited this long so fo sho I was gonna get in there.’ Possibly my favourite celeb story of the year. After enduring nine miscarriages, Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade welcomed a baby girl by surrogate. Look at how happy she is! 🍼
17. Little Daisy and her important phone chats ☎️
18. Christine Baranski unveiling a giant sculpture made from plastic waste at the side of a road in Donegal. Iconic.
19. Both Ashley Judd and Mira Sorvino were effectively blackballed by Harvey Weinstein after they spurned his advances. This year they walked the Oscars red carpet together.
20. Gus Kenworthy made history when he kissed his boyfriend on live television at the Winter Olympics 😘
21. 'Alexa, play Baby Shark'
22. Two new arrivals to Canada seeing snow for the first time. Can you cope? 😭
23. Speaking of snow... this photo of a man bringing a tiny snowman to his mother during the Beast from the East is just gorgeous.
24. Truly one of the loveliest things I saw on telly this year. An Irish sign language date on #FirstDatesIrl.
25. For decades, Deke Duncan broadcast a radio show from his shed for an audience of one: his wife. BBC Three Counties heard about it and offered him a one-hour special of his own 📻
26. When Twitter reunited two girls who met on a dinner cruise as children 👭
27. An assembly hall of kids surprise their beloved school custodian Mr. Eugene for National Custodians’ Day.
28. Dublin Bus drivers accompanying their LGBTQ+ kids to Pride. Beyond lovely, sweet and gas ❤️🧡💛💚💜
29. 'Keep supporting the Reds, Chris. We’ll keep supporting you.’ The CEO of Barnsley FC sent this wonderful letter to a fan who had opened up about his struggle with depression on social media.
30. Finally, I will end this thread with the most gorgeous and life-affirming thread I read this year. A doctor asked terminally ill children what gave them joy and meaning in their lives. The responses are so wise.
