Quotessence
Home / Authors / Kevin Tuerff Biography

Kevin Tuerff Biography

Author

Related Quotes

“Two teams ran into each other at the local charity hospital in Austin. Both had the same idea to visit the maternity ward to support a new mother who was giving birth to a baby that day. The nurses at the hospital told both teams that there were two single mothers who had given birth that day. Both mothers were certain to need the money. One team gave a card and a crisp hundred-dollar bill. The other team purchased a hundred-dollar savings bond and wrote a card stating: "Because your baby is born on a day that will always be linked to a day of tragedy, we'd like you to have something positive you may share with the child in future years.”

GivingKindnessBirthCharityChild
Book:Channel of Peace: Stranded in Gander on 9/11
Create image

“The commemorative events in Gander that I was part of exceeded what most American cities (especially small towns) were doing to make the 9/11 tenth anniversary. Perhaps Americans still didn't see anything good to celebrate. For America, the anniversary is a day of mourning. In Gander, it is a reminder of how they helped the world.”

KindnessMourningHelpAnniversaryCelebrations
Book:Channel of Peace: Stranded in Gander on 9/11
Create image

“When I first met David and Irene, none of us knew how timely the message of "Come From Away" would soon become. I think it's not a coincidence that the musical's appeal has grown at the same time as we've seen a resurgence of talk by people of influence in the public sphere that encourages people who fear or hate foreigners or people from different cultures. Civil wars, climate change, and religious conflicts have caused the world's refugee crisis to grow, and people are struggling with how to handle strangers in need arriving upon their doorsteps and at the borders.”

LoveCultureKindnessStruggleTimely
Book:Channel of Peace: Stranded in Gander on 9/11
Create image

“We all found it was truly remarkable what everyone in this tiny town had done for us. We reflected on what it was that gave Ganderites their attitude of kindness to strangers. People told me that's just how they were raised. The people of Gander and all of Newfoundland have a deep sense of interconnectedness and compassion. They rely on each other, especially during the harsh winter months. It's not uncommon for someone to spend hours snow-blowing a neighbor's driveway before their own. The cold temperatures keep them indoors a lot, so entertaining guests for meals, drinking, and dancing in their homes is a way to be happy. I wished I could export some of that hospitality and kindness around the world. We've seen countless examples of people helping strangers after terrorist attacks and natural disasters, but why can't we treat each other this way on a regular basis?”

LoveHelpingCompassionHospitalityKindess
Book:Channel of Peace: Stranded in Gander on 9/11
Create image