Select Entry- Tammy Petty Conrad, Age 44

Welcome to our Optimistic Essay category. Here you will find the $1,000 winning contest essay, 5 finalist essays and 15 honorable mention essays and a growing list of hand-picked select essays that readers submitted during our "Why Are You Optimistic About the Future?" contest.

Anything Can Happen

As the chef cleaned the grill, our waiter brought our check and one to the group we shared our table with. It was my daughter's birthday weekend and I wanted to take her someplace fun for dinner. This was the first birthday celebration without her father since our divorce and I was trying to avoid any more disappointments. A Japanese steak house where the food is cooked in front of you with the chef juggling sharp knives sounded like just what we needed.

Our station held nine seats and the extra space was taken up by a family of four and the grandparents. It turned out that they were celebrating two birthdays, although I wasn't allowed to talk about my daughter's since she didn't want to be embarrassed by the singing that would inevitably follow the meal. We chatted between courses. They admired my eight year old's use of chopsticks. It was a successful evening as far as I was concerned.

As I got ready to look at the check, the waiter informed me that the other party had taken care of it! I didn't know their names, but they had graciously paid for dinner for me and my two kids. The bill was hefty I'm sure since it was the kind of place you go to only for special occasions. But I never saw it. All I noticed was the large smile on the grandfather's face as he signed the credit card voucher.

I will never know why he chose to pay for us. It was one of those unexpected moments in life where you are gob smacked, as the British would say. A totally unexplained act of kindness, which will live on in my memory for quite a while. You might say it wasn't such a big deal, probably under $50. And maybe he was rich. But to me, it was a confirmation. Maybe an affirmation that the world is basically a good place and improving all the time.

Sometimes we hear reports that the small-town friendliness is gone and you can't count on your neighbors anymore. I am here to tell you it isn't true. I have been adopted by a group of grandmothers who listen to my pain, comfort me and pray for me. They barely know me, but they've accepted me into their circle and care about me and my kids. One of the women has made it her mission to help me find my way in the world of singles. She calls with make-up tips and advice to pass on to the lawyer, "Don't forget the pension." I laugh at the suggestion of wearing more lipstick, but listen intently when it comes to distribution of monies.

As terrible as this life change is, I could choose to be bitter. But with all the wonderful supportive people in my life it won't happen. I have confidence that I will have a better personal world in the long run, just as much as I believe the world will be better globally.

Living in England during September 11th, 2001, I experienced a global hug from a country that remembered the United States' help during World War II. Strangers approached me with sympathy. Flowers were left on my doorstep. As sad as I was being so far from home, I couldn't have felt more loved.

I watch with pride as entertainers take on their share of global charity work. Bob Geldorf's One campaign for debt relief for Africa captured the attention of today's youth. Sure they came for the music, but they also learned about their African brothers and sisters who suffer so needlessly. Oprah Winfrey created the Angel Network to distribute funds to groups helping others and she challenged her viewers to help and they did in record numbers.

Our world has been hit by numerous natural disasters in the last year. I have shed many tears over the fate of the people in the Tsunami and the earthquakes. I watched in horror as lives were lost in droves. But I also saw volunteers come forward. People opened their homes and their hearts to the victims.

People naturally want to help those in need and make the world a better place to live. Everyone wants a better life for their kids whether they live in a grass hut in Asia or a high rise condo in New York City. With today's technology our world has shrunk so that we can see how people are affected worldwide and we can see how even a little help makes a big difference.

I also can't help but feel comfort by all the people who I know are praying for me and others in need. Worldwide people of faith feverishly pray for the impoverished and downtrodden. Whether you are a believer or not, you can't help but appreciate the energy that comes from millions focused on the same goals.

For me, each day is a better day. Not that everything always goes right, but I know I'm heading down the right path and that's because of the people who are supporting me. Learning how interconnected I am within my own community and the world gives me strength that is as strong as the sun that shines outside. But my faith in a higher power is my ultimate strength. My optimism knows no boundaries. I know that I hold my future in my hands and I will make the best of it with God's help.