In our most popular series this year, thousands of readers showed us a new way to use Smart Brevity — in pithy, wise one-liners.

• In multiple editions of the newsletter, you taught us how much we can say with just one sentence.

Here's a selection of our favorite reader aphorisms from the year:

🗞️ Sally Quinn, author and veteran Washington Post journalist, tells us of her late husband Ben Bradlee, the legendary Post executive editor: "Ben's all-time favorite one-liner was 'Age quod agis,' which is Latin for 'Do what you're doing' — as in, don't do anything half-assed."

🤪 "When the kids were younger, they would periodically come across someone unique in their own way, and they would say the person was weird. I would remind them, 'We're all weird.' Our adult daughter has reiterated it to her friends so often that she will say, 'Like my dad says,' and her friends will chime in together: 'We're all weird.' ... I guess that our kids do listen to us sometimes." —Dave Kisko, Bozeman, Mont.

⏳ "You always overestimate what you can do in the short term and underestimate what you can do in the long term." —Bob Martin, Purcellville, Va.

✈️ "Follow the airplane oxygen mask theory of living. Put your mask on first, then you're able to take care of others." —Deb Pitzrick, Eden Prairie, Minn.

🏈 "My favorite is from my high school football coach, Coach King: 'If you're going to make a mistake, make it going full speed.' I take it to mean mistakes based on effort and actions are better than mistakes of indecision and inaction." —Dawson Hobbs, Alexandria, Va.

💐 "My father taught me, 'Send your flowers today.' He meant don't wait for the funeral to tell people you love and appreciate them." —Nancy Jordan, Naples, Fla.

🪑 "'It's not what's on the table, it's who's in the chairs.' Take any excuse to get together with little or no fuss." —Ellen Johnston, Viera, Fla.

We also highlighted several stories of joy, hope and heroism from around America this year — often reported by our colleagues on the ground in 34 Axios Local cities.

• Here are five to make you smile:

🧥 Richard Bedlack, the founder of Duke University's ALS Clinic, is widely known for two things: his unending quest to cure ALS and being one of the most fashionable doctors in the world, rocking colorful designer suits one day and studded leather jackets the next, Axios Raleigh's Zachery Eanes writes.

• His latest endeavor combines those passions: He's partnered with design students at N.C. State to make fashionable clothing more accessible for people with disabilities like ALS. Go deeper.

🦷 A Seattle dentist has been answering emails as the tooth fairy for nearly two decades, helping thousands of parents keep a magical tradition alive for their kids, Axios Seattle's Melissa Santos writes.

• In her responses, she typically reminds kids to brush and floss their new teeth, and wishes them, "Happy growing up!" Go deeper.

❤️ On the terrifying morning in July in Kerr County, Texas, as floodwaters rapidly rose, acts of extraordinary courage stood out.

• A teenage camp counselor, an 82-year-old great-grandmother, and a stranger who rescued a mother and her four children during his morning commute are among the heroes who showed remarkable bravery and composure — and saved lives. Read more about their acts of heroism.

👻 A new trick-or-treating trend brought joy to older Americans who might typically get left out of Halloween festivities this year.

• Across the country, nursing homes hosted trick-or-treating events that invited kids and their parents to visit in costume, collect candy, and share the fun of the holiday with people who might be missing their grandchildren, or might not otherwise get to celebrate. Read on.

🍼 When SNAP benefits stalled in November, people all over the country stepped up to help their neighbors with front-yard food pantries, Axios' Avery Lotz reports.

• Kelly Perez, equipped with a cheap cabinet and Tupperware containers, started a pantry in her neighborhood near Kansas City, Mo. With help from a Facebook friend, she stocked one section with hygiene products, baby formula, diapers and more. The next day, she estimated, 90% of those goods had been taken. She told Axios: "I can rest easy at night knowing that a baby in my community is being fed." Read on.

We look forward to bringing you more healthy, helpful news in the new year.

• Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and ... see ya in '26!

Reader Bob Russell captured this photo of Colorado's iconic Maroon Bells — the bell-shaped, wine-colored peaks — while camping near Aspen in July.