‘Good Things Are Coming’: A Story of Hope

On a street corner in Des Moines, a simple envelope carried a message that’s now reaching far beyond one moment.

Inside: a $10 bill and a handwritten note that read, “Good things are coming.”

But behind that small gesture is a powerful story of survival, hope, and choosing to keep going.

A Life-Changing Decision

The woman behind the act—who asked to be identified only as “Samantha”—marked a deeply personal anniversary: the day she chose life over suicide.

“A year ago today, I chose life over suicide,” she said.

After years of struggling with a debilitating neurological disorder and the daily pain that came with it, Samantha reached a breaking point.

“Living with this disease was daily pain… it was better (for my family), for me to be gone,” she said.

But after receiving treatment, she made a different choice.

She chose to stay.

Turning Pain Into Purpose

On the anniversary of that decision, Samantha withdrew $310 from the bank and set out across the city.

Her mission was simple: brighten someone’s day.

She handed out envelopes to strangers—each one containing money and a message of encouragement.

“You know, it’s so simple. Simple things that can change a person’s world, really,” she said.

One of those envelopes made its way to a reporter, who shared it online—sparking an overwhelming response from people who connected with the message.

A Ripple Effect of Hope

The reaction surprised Samantha.

“I’ve never seen a post where there weren’t negative comments,” she said.

Instead, people shared their own stories—many opening up about struggles with mental health and moments when they, too, needed hope.

For Samantha, that response reinforced why she felt called to act.

“I don’t want anyone to feel that hopeless,” she said.

A Message That Matters

Samantha describes her actions as more than just kindness.

To her, it’s faith.
It’s purpose.
And it’s a reminder that even small gestures can have life-changing impact.

“Maybe I hit someone that was having a bad day, and that was the purpose,” she said.

She hopes her story reaches people who need to hear it most.

“I want people to know that they’re worth it… you are worth saving,” she said.

Continuing the Mission

Samantha plans to repeat this act every year—turning a day once marked by pain into one defined by hope.

Because sometimes, the smallest message can carry the biggest meaning.

And sometimes, choosing to stay becomes the reason someone else does too.

If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available. You can call or text 988 to reach trained professionals 24/7.