"Hopeful Images From 2019"

2019 has been another year filled with news stories and photos that can often be difficult or disturbing to view. I’ve made it an annual tradition, after rounding up the “news photos of the year,” to compose an essay of uplifting images from the past 12 months—an effort to seek out and recognize some of the abundant joy and kindness present in the world around us. The following are images from the past year of personal victories, families and friends at play, expressions of love and compassion, volunteers at work, assistance being given to those in need, or simply small and pleasant moments.
“American and Mexican families play on seesaws installed through the barrier along the Mexican border with U.S. in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, on July 28, 2019.” Luis Torres / AFP / Getty

“American and Mexican families play on seesaws installed through the barrier along the Mexican border with U.S. in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, on July 28, 2019.”
Luis Torres / AFP / Getty