Thursday, August 13, 2009

Hope is a Good Thing

I am continuing my effort today to write about something other than Scotland. My trip has inspired many different topics of thought like uses for haggis, proper kilt etiquette, and does the sun truly shine in Scotland. Another idea that is going through my head and keeping me moving is hope. I mark off a day on my calendar every night before bed. The declining number of days left gives me hope. Arica does not see the numbers as hopeful so I don’t share them with her, but there is something reassuring about a decreasing number of days remaining. It gives me hope.

One of my favorite movies of all time is “The Shawshank Redemption.” In it Andy Dufresne says a line that I absolutely love that really sums up his feelings on his imprisonment. He states, “Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies.”

I may not be serving time in a Maine prison, but I am biding time in a less than favorable situation. The same type of hope empowers me every day. Granted I may not need to “crawl through a mile of s&#t smelling foulness the likes of which I can’t imagine,” but my escape will be no less celebrated.

As a parent I feel one of my biggest jobs is to provide hope for my son. I am often saddened when I see children that appear to be in a difficult situation. Their hope seems to be dashed before their life even starts. I want Braden to hope for everything as he is growing up. If he wants to go to the moon I want him to believe that he can do that. I want to help him grow up in a nurturing environment that will help his hopes and dreams grow.

I think I can keep his hopes high by showing him that anything is possible. If you work hard there is nothing to stop you from reaching any of your goals. I can reinforce that by showing him all the opportunities in the world. I can show him what many people from difficult beginnings have achieved. Most of all I can always encourage him in all his efforts. In that way he will always have hope for whatever it is he wants in life. He will never feel downtrodden. The sky will always be the limit.

I think this is a great gift to give your children, the gift of hope. Thank you Mr. Dufresne for your well crafted words. No matter if you are hoping for a return home, a new job, or even a nice big cheese burger, hope is indeed a good thing.

13 comments:

PJ Mullen said...

Very true. One our responsibilities as parents is to instill a sense of confidence in our children. Encouraging them to dream and dream big is important. Sure, they might fail, but it will only be that much better when they finally achieve everything they hope for.

Jen said...

Hope is a beautiful thing.

Steely Dad said...

Well said, man. Your post made me think of the movie "Life is Beautiful." The dad did everything in his power to keep hope alive for his son, but doing so under extremely difficult circumstances. He gave his son the most beautiful gift of all: hope. It's truly a wonderful sentiment and you capture it here so well.

SurprisedMom said...

Hope is essential. It feeds so many other emotions and gives humans the impetus to put one foot in front of the other every day. I am glad you are instilling hope in Braden. It will take him far. This is a great post.

Rob said...

Very well put and I am certain hope is getting you thru your trip. I hope all is well for you an your family. Also, The Shawshank Redemption is an awesome movie! Happy Friday!

Brandy@YDK said...

you write so well. your ability to convey those emotions is fantastic.

I want to share this with my husband with hope that it will change his outlook on certain things.

WeaselMomma said...

The definition of hell is the absence of Hope.
Arica is a very lucky woman and Bradon a lucky child.

Smallprint said...

Thanks for this.

The sun does shine in Scotland - it just picks its moments! I lived in Dundee for four years whilst at college.

Whereabouts are you? You should come over to Ireland for a weekend to see round here to. Sun shines about the same here too. I would even shout you a pint of the black stuff!

Hang in there!

Scott (simplefather) said...

Hope is such a powerful thing. I'm just saddened that so many people live life without hope.

I'm glad you desire to instill your child with hope. Great post.

Otter Thomas said...

Smallprint I answered on your blog but just in case you check here I am working in Bridge of Weir just about 20 minutes from Glasgow.

A guy on site told me that the reason Ireland had 40 different shades of green was because they had 40 different kinds of rain so I know you can feel my pain.

BellaDaddy said...

Touching...VERY! Thanks for this...and btw, I LOVE that movie too...one of my all time favorites...Kudos!

Mike said...

Hope is a very good thing, especially if you are a pessimist, like myself!

Wisconsin Parent said...

anyone can run a marathon...one inch at a time...