When faced with a tragic event like last week’s Boston Marathon bombing (and the subsequent city-wide lockdown and manhunt through Watertown) it is natural – expected, even – to get swept up in the dismal news that surrounds us, day-in and day-out. Everywhere we look, news outlets are reporting every gruesome detail and social media sites that are usually filled with pictures of your high school friend’s vacation or funny YouTube clips of cats are suddenly inundated with devastating stories and heartbreaking firsthand accounts of the event.

Other folks have written powerful pieces (like this one, this one, and this one, salty language and all) and put together moving video tributes (like this one and – holy cow – this one) about the bombings and about the strength and resilience of the people of Boston. Since they put it better than I ever could and since (if my readers are anything like me) we could all use a break from the heavy stuff, I decided to take a different route.

Here are a few lighter stories to come out of last week’s tragedy. Either because they are funny or touching, they made me smile, and I’m hoping that they do the same for you.

-Residents of Boston opened their homes to runners and people in need who were without a place to stay due to street and hotel closures.

-A Boston police officer delivered milk to a family with young children during the lockdown in Watertown.

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–Comfort dogs took to the streets of Boston to provide emotional support for those affected by the week’s events.

-Zooey Deschanel gets the surprise of a lifetime.

-People all around the country (and even a few from other countries!) are sending “Random Acts of Pizza” to responders, hospital employees, and police stations as a sign of support and thanks.

-Ballparks all around the country played Fenway favorite ‘Sweet Caroline’ as a tribute to Boston and fans everywhere sang along in support.

-And then Neil Diamond himself surprised Red Sox fans by showing up to Fenway and performing his hit live.

-You know what? This just kind of sums it all up: 44 Images That Perfectly Capture The Resilience Of The Human Spirit (warning: picture 5 is a little graphic)

“…So when you spot violence, or bigotry, or intolerance or fear or just garden-variety misogyny, hatred or ignorance, just look it in the eye and think, “The good outnumber you, and we always will.”” -Patton Oswalt