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Hope (6/26/99) Numerous folks have posted some very negative things and attacked folks who try to have hope in their own ways in a variety of ways. Some out of ignorance; some out of anger or resentment; some may not know why they try to destroy others' hope when they have none themselves. But this is for those who have hope---and a few who need some. Hope is a good thing. Hope is healthy. Hope is wholesome. Hope is a wonderful gift. Hope is that little silver lining in an otherwise pretty dark cloud. It is perfectly okay to have hope. Hope is not having one's head in the sand, as some may think or believe. Hope is seldom quantifiable or tangible but hope is still something that we hang on to.
There is no such thing as "false hope", a term that so
many supposed intelligent people use all too frequently. Anyone
who uses the term "false hope" misuses language, for it
is an emotional oxymoron and a contradiction in terms, like "false
life" or "false trust" or "military intelligence"
or "false emotions" or "false love" or, in today's
times, like "presidential integrity". Hope
is hope. It is impossible to have such a thing as "false hope".
Perhaps one can have hope that is based on false premise, but that's
not "false hope". Hope is hope. Faith is faith. Love is
love. It's either genuine or it's not. Those who attempt to accuse
others of having or raising "false hope" in others are
among some of the most negative thinking people on earth---the type
of negative thinking people who don't give a hoot about the life
or longevity of life or quality of life for PALS, regardless of
what the naysayers might profess to the contrary. Those who have
no hope and attempt to destroy others' hope should consider crawling
back under the rock they came from. PALS, CALS, and family members
need all the positives in life they can muster, obtain, acquire
or receive. Hope is beautiful. Hope is a wonderful attribute. PALS
deserve hope. PALS need hope. So do CALS, their children, relatives
and friends. Hope
may be expressed on the face of a PALS that they're going to make
it through one more day in good shape. Hope may be in research.
Hope may be in trial drugs or in prayer or faith or all of the above.
Hope today may be in that faithful CALS or nurse who arrives on
time, or spouse or friend who drops by to visit or read or write
a letter or a story read to the PALS or phone call from a friend.
Hope may be the word of encouragement or friendly gesture, hug or
smile by friends or family. Hope may be expressed in positive words,
actions, a smile, a twinkle in the eye to a son or daughter that
they're loved and appreciated, or perhaps a confident gesture of
affirmation that mom/dad/spouse/son/daughter is okay and loved.
Hope may be in being adjusted in the wheelchair a bit to be able
to sit up and visit someone just a little while longer or in some
computer equipment to be able to communicate or to attend a son's
or daughter's first communion, school play, or soccer game. Hope
is like faith, for faith is the substance of things hoped for, the
evidence of things not seen. We don't have to "SEE" something
for it to be real, genuine or in existence. Hope is genuine, just
as faith, love and trust are genuine. None of them are false---the
only falsehoods are dishonest people who attempt to control others
or put labels on others like "false hope". As
a suggestion intended in a kind way, could the naysayers please
get a life, perhaps go back to school to learn proper language usage,
and stop promoting negatives. Hope is hope. I have lots of hope.
Without hope, I would not have survived ALS 18 years---I don't apologize
to the "false hopers" for existing and having a quality
of life for 18 years after onset---it is unfortunate that someone
who survives that long tends to be a threat to supposed healthy
people. So
please, allow PALS and CALS to have and to nurture hope as much
as their hearts desire---however, wherever, with whomever, with
whatever, in whatever way they can, in whatever circumstance or
way they choose---it is their life---it is their choice and is not
for others to attempt to control nor for naysayers to attempt to
force their values on others. PALS
are among some of the most uniquely gifted, quality of character
individuals of any group of people on the face of the earth. In
view of such gifted, quality people, PALS need every break they
can get without someone attempting to take away one of the last
things they may be hanging on to. Here's
a salute of hope to all PALS, CALS, families and friends. Reach
out and take some of my hope---I'd like to give about half or more
of my hope to you---being rather conservative in some things, I
just don't want any of it to go to waste. Take hope and keep it!
Don't let anyone destroy it or take it away for any reason! It's
yours! You deserve it! With a little faith and love added in, you
have all the necessary ingredients to make it one more hour, one
more day, then another day, and another, and another..... I
hope this is helpful to someone who may need a bit of hope this
day. |
