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hope

Posted Oct 01 2008 8:39pm

Monday, October 3, 2005
Exploring another word from good ol' Webster online:
Main Entry: 1hope
Pronunciation: 'hOp
Function: verb
Inflected Form(s): hoped; hop·ing
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English hopian; akin to Middle High German hoffen to hope
intransitive senses
1 : to cherish a desire with anticipation
2 archaic : TRUST transitive senses
1 : to desire with expectation of obtainment
2 : to expect with confidence : TRUST
synonym see EXPECT - hop·er noun
- hope against hope : to hope without any basis for expecting fulfillment

Somehow this definition seems lacking for a word that is so big, a word that literally can rise people up from the very edges of despair of wishes of death....to hope. To want more or better. Hope is a very light and lite word: it floats.

The line in the movie: Give hope a chance to float up. That is a real a thing. A thing of universal truth, hope is what keeps us all from making the unfortunate and final choice that ends it all. (No mom I am not suicidal, it's a point I am trying to make for pete's sake) But, on the other hand, in the heart of all people there is the potential for "ending it all" even if it is only in the form of great and self destructive change. This could be the reason for much of the loss that is self-inflicted, a type of suicide performed without death.

But hope says we can, we might, we will, we want to. Hope says believe that there is more for us out there. Hope forces life up into the light and lets it float past the pain, past the doubts of couldn't, shouldn't, wouldn't or won't.

There is a very old custom where young women would build a Hope Chest and in it would go all the beginnings of a the home that they were hoping to have when they left their parents and got married. (What, I said it was OLD.) These girls would collect fine linen, silver, china, lace, fabric, quilts, towels, pans...the stuff that they hoped would make a fine home for their future and yet unmade families. Thus, Hope Chests. In a very similar way God wants each of us to be building Hope Chest here now and filling it up with the things that we are going to need later:

love

respect

joy

humor

fun

compassion

honesty

hard work

teamwork

desire

all the finery that young people just starting out need....to be successful when we get there. So I am filling up my Hope Chest but it is hard to buy some of that quality stuff here, with this selection of stores.



ckays1967 at 5:55:00 AM PDT Link to this entry

This entry has 13 comments: (Add your own)
Hi~I'm new to reading you. This entry means a lot to me and is well written.
Thanks! Blessings, Sassy ;-)

http://journals.aol.com/SassyDee50/SassysWORD
Comment from sassydee50 - 10/20/05 9:58 AM



very nicely done:):):) judi
Comment from judithheartsong - 10/6/05 5:17 AM



Yea. I need to fill my hope chest, too. But it's hard to find stuff at Wal-Mart...
Kathy ;-)
http://journals.aol.com/gypsytrader49/ksuergiu/
Comment from gypsytrader49 - 10/5/05 4:57 AM



I love the thought of a spiritual Hope Chest. I guess that is what we
all hope to give our children. You articulated it so well
Marti
http://journals.aol.com/sunnyside46/MidlifeMusings/
Comment from sunnyside46 - 10/4/05 6:35 AM



Beautiful entry. I think one of our biggest tasks is to sort out our hopes
from our wants. I've always loved the idea of the "hope chest." My
husband has built me several boxes of all sizes. Inside each are little
talismans that represent my hopes.
Comment from theresarrt7 - 10/3/05 7:07 PM



Ah yes, it is hard sometimes, no one promised it would be easy.
Hope floats...it does...it is the driving force for all of us who try
to do good, see good, be good.

Be well,
Dawn

http://journals.aol.com/princesssaurora/CarpeDiem/
Poetry:
http://journals.aol.com/princesssaurora/TouchofEmpathy/
Comment from princesssaurora - 10/3/05 1:21 PM



Christina, a wonderful entry.
V
Comment from deabvt - 10/3/05 1:06 PM



Hope is impossible if we are filled with fear. Fear has always been a
big problem of mine. I am conquering it, though. A bit at a time :-).
This was very interesting, as always, Christina. I have a love of
words, like you! They are incredible. They are even colorful and have
shapes sometimes..words do in my brain...but my brain is an interesting
brain. LOL!! Take care, sweetie xox
http://journals.aol.com/valphish/ValsThoughts
Comment from valphish - 10/3/05 11:34 AM



I love your analogy of adding quality things to a Hope Chest. Great entry!

Donna
http://journals.aol.com/dbp2000/DustBunnyProtector/
Comment from dbp2000 - 10/3/05 9:48 AM



As always I enjoy your English lessens lol. This is also fitting in my
life and goes with a scriptuere I have been praying

Psalms 16:9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory
rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.
Comment from hunybea4him - 10/3/05 7:02 AM



Hope and hopeful are optimistic words. I use it a lot as my
expression at the top of our journal. I am an optimist 99%
of the time, but I do have an off day once in a while.
After all, I am human. Great entry, Christina.

Blessings!~
Susan
Comment from rjet33 - 10/3/05 6:50 AM



What a fabulous entry! Hope is the opposite of
despair, and I find that hope is probably the
foundation to our futures - it's everything we wish life could be!
Peace and love,
Charley
http://journals.aol.com/CDittric77/Courage

Comment from cdittric77 - 10/3/05 6:01 AM



Well written. It is helpful for me to read entries such
as this when I continue to unsuccesfully to re-discover
the hope that I lost. Thank you.
Comment from irun01 - 10/3/05 6:00 AM




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Wednesday, October 5, 2005

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