Coincidence of the Heart: 5 Brilliant Stories This Week

Two stories centering on hearts, literally, make the list:

• Mom Learns Dead Son's Heart Is Still in the Family: After 25-year-old Kendrick Murry died from a head injury in September 2015, his heart went to woman who had been waiting on the waiting list for one for two years. When his mother finally learned the name of the recipient, she "just lost it," she recalls. As it turns out, her son's heart is still in the family.
• Teen's Heart Stops After Baseball Hits Him. Then, a 'Miracle': Two Virginia teens are suddenly more than just baseball teammates after a near-death experience during a practices. Steve Smith was running the bases when a throw from the catcher inadvertently nailed him under his left armpit, causing cardiac arrest. “His heart stopped immediately," recalls his father and coach. Fortunately, teammate Paul Dow had just learned CPR while training to be a lifeguard.

• 6-Year-Old's Wish Is Granted: Ethan Dean lived his dream this week. The 6-year-old has a garbage truck bedspread and pillow. He has garbage truck toys. He's had a garbage truck birthday party. Now, thanks to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, he got to experience what it's like to be a garbage truck driver.
• After 11 Years, Misty the Cat Returns: Misty the cat disappeared from her Portland, Ore., home in 2005. Her owners, Dean McCrea and Meredith Warren, finally gave up searching, thinking the gray feline had fallen victim to a coyote that had already killed another cat in the neighborhood. But last week, they got a big, sweet surprise.
• Mom Thanks Justin Bieber for Bringing Light to Daughter's Final Days: Before Kaylee Drew, 9, died last weekend of leukemia, Justin Bieber made the Boston girl's dream come true by visiting her in the hospital. "I need to make sure you know how much you made her happy," wrote her mom on his Facebook page. In fact, Bieber's music was one of the last things to which Kaylee responded.

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