Day 3: HOPE for healing...

The greatest healing therapy is friendship and love. Hubert H. Humphrey
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/h/huberthhu152600.html?src=t_healing

The greatest healing therapy is friendship and love. -  Hubert H. Humphrey

Today I took my friend, Mike, to get a PET scan. This seems to be the last of the innumerable litany of medical tests he has endured to figure out what is going on with his heart.

Every test reveals nothing, or at best, another question.

Mike asked me to take him to the PET scan at the "U". He said he could do it alone, but he wanted me there.

I of course said "yes", largely because I love him so much.

But I also said "yes" because I have HOPE that our modern medicine will finally give him an answer about what is going on, and what he can do about it. I wanted to be with him to let him know, I have not fallen into despair, as he surely has.

The idea of HOPE sustains me.

Day 2: HOPE for the animals...

“Hope is the thing with feathers –

That perches in the soul…” Emily Dickinson

Recently, my daughter posted a sign that she had recently seen. It was in the dressing room of a department store. The sign shows a picture of a very sad, very pathetic dog, and the caption reads:  “Shoplifters will be forced to watch 24 hours of Sarah McLachlan’s ASPCA commercials”. Christine’s response: “I’d rather go to jail.” And I agreed. These commercials send me running for the remote. I cannot bear the thought of animals suffering. 

So, it was with much trepidation that I attended today’s "Women’s Roundtable" at the St. Paul Jewish Community Center. I usually attend these weekly forums with my 90-year-old friend, Gloria. But for some reason, she was completely uninterested. Said she’d rather stay home in her pajamas for an extra hour than learn about shelter animals.

So, I was left to face it alone. And because my heart gets ripped to shreds at the thought of an animal living in abusive conditions, I thought I too would stay home in my pajamas (or even my jeans).

But I remembered this week’s advent theme. HOPE. I decided I would put my trust in HOPE. That maybe if I went to this talk, this person would give me reason to hope. 

The speaker, Laurie Sweep, of the Animal Humane Society, did indeed give me hope!

Did you know that the Animal Humane Society placed 95.2% of the animals in their care? They spay and neuter animals! They have a free Pet Helpline (952-HELP-PET)! They have community programs, partner with Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, and on and on.

It was enough to give a person, namely, me, HOPE. I learned that there are others out there that care about animals, and are devoted to giving them the love they deserve. 

So, thank you Advent. I would not have gone to this program without the promise of HOPE.

And HOPE is just what I received.

Day 1: HOPE

"Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day our Lord is coming." (Matthew 24: 42)

The first week of Advent is HOPE. And, I must admit, this is a hard one to "do". Like, how do you "act" hopeful?

This is especially difficult for me. Not only are the politics of today disheartening, but I admit to being someone who resorts to hopelessness on a daily basis. It is a struggle.

So, for today, I'll post something I'm thinking about regarding hope.

One of my readings called hope a "chink in the armor of despair", which I found to be a perfect image.The passage went on to say "A little willingness can go a long way toward making hope and faith an ongoing part of our lives. In the hands of a Higher Power, sanity and serenity become realistic hopes."

So, my act of hope is to ponder this.
I'd love to hear about your experiences with hope this first week.