PART I
Two weeks ago, I moved into a new house. The new house is simply perfect for me – I can’t believe how happy I am here. I’ve been feeling a little bit like Goldilocks when she finds the chair and the bed that fit just right. Everything about this new house fits me just right.
As I’ve unpacked, I’ve been reflecting on how much of my life fits me just right these days. Work and friends and fitness and home – everything has been working out great, falling into alignment, and I’ve found myself happier than I’ve been during the entire past year.
It’s good to look around your life and be happy. It’s good to look around your life and feel hope. After the last 12 months of drama and trauma and recovery, I so much appreciate the balance I’ve found in my life. I’m grateful to finally feel peace.
So this post today should be considered a declaration of hope. Because my life today is evidence of the power of resilience, the power of friendship and the power of hope.
PART II
Back in January of this year, I launched a new book project, together with my friends John & Karen O’Brien. John and Karen have both been impacted by cancer, and we decided to solicit photos of the word HOPE to publish in a book. We published this post, explaining the project outline. Back when we launched the video version of this project last year, we received around 200 responses within 3 weeks. We didn’t know what kind of response this book project would receive, but we crossed our fingers for the best.
It’s been four months, and we received 7 photos of HOPE. And we are grateful for every single one. Because every single photo we received represents a personal story of resilience and love.
Instead of publishing a book, we’ve decided to post those 7 photos here on the blog, to share the beauty of the photos we received. We want to share these photos here because we believe that hope is contagious.
PART III
John & Karen O’Brien and I all want to say THANK YOU to these 7 people who sent us their photos. Every single photo demonstrates creativity and compassion and caring. They are all unique and we appreciate each and every one.
Thank you to:
- Dana Arakawa
- JD
- Glen DeWillie
- Edward Hale
- Will McClure
- Isabella Ritz
- Bruce Ervin Wood
Dana Arakawa submtted this photo, which was her mother’s bracelet. Dana’s mother passed away from ovarian cancer on March 7, 2010.
JD sent the following caption to accompany his photo: “As the break of dawn welcomes a bright new day – HOPE is the light that shows us the way.”
Glen DeWillie sent us this photo, along with this description: I’m a fly fisherman and often reflect on what a big fish will take such a small fly out in nature…similar analogy here…a little hope might produce a big result!
Eddie Hale is a student here in Tucson, who submitted this very creative photo:
Will McClure enlisted the help of his dog – Rascal – to pose for his photo:
Isabella Ritz got creative with her flowers from Valentine’s Day:
Bruce Ervin Wood was inspired by the Bible verse 1 Corinthians 13:13. “Three things will last forever–faith, hope, and love–and the greatest of these is love.” He sent us a photo of a stained glass panel he created as a wedding gift. The upraised hand represents faith, the heart symbolizes love, and the word “hope” completes the design. Bruce named this piece of art – The Greatest of These.
PART IV
If you’ve appreciated any of these photos, we hope you will feel inspired to share your own expression of hope. You don’t need to send us your photo though. Instead why don’t you take a photo of the word HOPE and send it to someone you love who could use a little bit of hope right now?
Taking a photo is free, the positive emotion is contagious, and the world just might become a happier place.
Go on and try it…
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Those photos were awesome….we all need hope in our lives no matter what we go through. Being a single mom for the past fifteen years, it is HOPE that gives me strength to continue on when I feel like crawling under the covers and going back to sleep….it is HOPE in seeing families like the O’Brien family and realizing that if they can endure the “C” word not once, but twice and still come out smiling and shining God’s love, then, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength” Phil. 4:13. Thanks for sharing and bringing more HOPE to those who feel hopeless…so glad that I choose to trust in my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ because He is the HOPE that we need.
Thanks for your comment Liz! Wow – 15 years raising 3 kids – you are a testament to what is possible in life.
I’m sure that just as the OB family has inspired you, you have inspired others. Thank you.
Peace,
== niki
I love this post! Congratulations on all of your accomplishment and thanks for spreading hope… it’s wonderful!
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