Ep. 45: HOPE - how to give and receive it

During this pandemic, we could all use a little more hope.

Where do you find hope? In a sunset that erases away a bad day. In the kindness of strangers. In Psalm 43. In Van Gogh blue skies and double rainbows and dandelions that burst through cracks in concrete. In nature, which never loses hope.

When I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1998, I started a hope chest for my imaginary grandchildren. I bought children’s books, Winnie the Pooh bookends and a tea set to help me believe I would get to grow old, even though I was only 41 and my daughter was only 19. I wanted to believe past the day I was in, especially the days when I was bald and sick from chemotherapy.

Now, I’m 64 and playing with those real grandchildren, who give me hope that the best is always yet to come.

Tips and Takeaways:

  • Build a strong support network so that net can catch you when you fall.

  • H.O.P.E.: Hold On. Pain Ends.

  • Hoard hope. Keep a list of what gives you hope and refer to it often.

  • Turn off the TV news and get outside. Nature never loses hope.

Regina Brett