STORIES THAT INSPIRE, The Optimist: These 'street doctors' save lives in the woods, under bridges and in dark alleyways 26NOV17

Michael S. Williamson / The Washington Post

In the woods and the shadows, street medicine treats the nation’s homeless

Burgeoning programs address the physical and mental health ills of the most marginalized. ‘You’re the only person I trust,’ one patient says.

By Laurie McGinley •  Read more »

She wanted her dying dad to walk her down the aisle — so she moved the wedding to the hospital Vieneese Stanton wasn't sure if she could pull off the hospital surprise. Then a team of nurses sprang into action. By Amy B Wang  •  Read more »

These conjoined twins spent their lives in a hospital. They just went home — as two. Abby and Erin Delaney have gone home — months after being separated in a rare surgery at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. By Lindsey Bever  •  Read more »

Along the U.S. border with Mexico, a gate briefly opened and a couple wed For only the 6th time in recent years, a door along the border between San Diego and Tijuana, Mexico, was briefly opened. By Samantha Schmidt  •  Read more »

My mother spent her life passing as white. Discovering her secret changed my view of race — and myself. Her refusal to talk about her mixed race only fueled my curiosity. How had she deceived my racist white father? Why was she so fearful and ashamed of her black heritage? By Gail Lukasik  •  Read more »

Napping on the job may turn out to be a very good idea for a sleep-deprived nation Some researchers are finding that a short nap may help improve performance. By Eric Pianin  •  Read more »

The nation’s only African American piano maker counts ‘Empire’ and the Vatican as fans District native Warren Shadd, the founder of Shadd Pianos, is an accomplished musician with a salesman’s drive and a showman’s charm. By Marcia Davis  •  Read more »

Queen Elizabeth II becomes first British monarch to celebrate 70th wedding anniversary Then-Princess Elizabeth married Lt. Philip Mountbatten in an elaborate ceremony at Westminster Abbey on Nov. 20, 1947. By Karla Adam  •  Read more »

Remembering Jana Novotna: an athlete who faced her humanity and triumphed The Czech tennis player, who passed away last Sunday, overcame a crushing collapse on Wimbledon’s Centre Court in 1993 to finally win the championship five years later. By Chuck Culpepper  •  Read more »   In praise of Janet Yellen: A trailblazing model of public service prepares to step down PERSPECTIVE | I'm hard pressed to think of a high-ranking public figure more deserving of respect than Fed chair Janet L. Yellen. In advance of her departure, here's my thank-you-for-your-service note. By Jared Bernstein  •  Read more »   Young artists with disabilities draw on their strength for exhibition Show is open at Education Department: “The arts are a powerful tool for everybody.” By Sarah Larimer  •  Read more »   These robots don’t want your job. They want your love. The robots are coming ... for a hug. Say hello to Jibo and Kuri. By Geoffrey A. Fowler  •  Read more »