This weeks Blog Hop is #FindingHope....

Once you choose hope, anything's possible. ~Christopher Reeve

When I was younger, "hope" meant "wish", usually with a selfish twist, not being totally sure of the outcome... first star, fairy princess, coin-in-a-fountain types of wishes.... the kind you didn't need to work for, just sat back and waited for the magic .... I "hope" he asks me out, I "hope" I pass this test, I "hope" my parents don't find out I ----, ....well I'm not going to spill it now! HOPE was all about me, what I wanted for me...

Then I got married and had children, and "hope" became more of an aspiration, a desire, a goal... I "hope" my children do well in school, I "hope" they remember their manners, I "hope" they have lots of friends. And, that became my job and is where I focused my energy. HOPE was all about them, what I wanted for them...

Now that I am older , the circumstances have once again changed, and "hope" has became more of a strength, a belief; the faith that those wishes and desires from years gone by will come true. I have found that hope is a valuable medicine worth finding and holding on to! "Hope" for me now is believing that it will all work out; my children are growing up to be successful, happy adults; our wishes (the unselfish, important ones) are coming true and thanks to my talented doctors and all of the advances in medicine, I will survive, I will beat my cancer. Now HOPE is all about us, what I want for us, our family, our dreams, aspirations and wishes!

Never let go of hope. One day you will see that it has all finally come together. What you have always wished for has finally come to be. You will look back and laugh at what has passed and you will ask yourself..'How did I get through all of that?"

Life is full of ups and downs, add an illness to the mix and, take my word for it, things can start to seem helpless. There are going to be those days when you feel defeated, sad, lost. Those are the times you need to reach out, find your Hope...

Hope is faith holding out its hand in the dark ~George Iles

Where do I find my hope? In the faces of my friends and family, their never-ending support, unparalleled love and unyielding faith; in my doctors, their incredible determination and steadfast dedication; and in myself, "I will not waste time lamenting what could have been, or worrying about what will be."

Cause you are not alone
And I am there with you
And we\'ll get lost together
Until the light comes pouring through
It\'s when you feel like you\'re done
And the darkness has won
Babe, you\'re not lost ~Michael Buble

Oh I still toss that penny in the fountain, and rub the Buddha's belly in the restaurant; hey, I'll take all the help I can get but Hope is always there, even if it's light seems dim at times, and I'm holding on with both hands!

#FindingHope