Where Does Hope Come From?

In my case it comes as a reminder from a little green owl that was given to me in the most unusually sort of way. Let us please remember that the owl is the wisest of animals. As a made the painful switch from the domestic to international flights at the LAX airport last January I stopped to ask for directions, which I do often in airports when traveling alone. So I do not have issues with directional pride. I am bad at directions, always have been! If any of you have made that same switch over at L.A. airport feel free to say AMEN. Back to the story this is so not about a painful airport experience it is about HOPE. As I asked for directions a guy stopped to do the same and we then decided to go at this adventure together, kind of a two heads are better then one deal. As we walked we completed the basic airport interview. He was from Washington State worked as a forest fire fighter but was being sent over as aid to Australia as their whole country seemed to be burning down at this time. Having spent sometime in Australia myself it kept the conversation going. I guess we did a pretty good job bonding during this time because by the time we entered the International building the security guard just looked at us and said “let me guess newlyweds?” we had to inform him that it was far from the case. We were about to part ways when Mike insisted on giving me this stuffed animal named Hope. At first I kindly refused. He insisted some more and I thought about what my next step in life was and agreed to take it. Plus he did have two so I did not feel terrible bad.

Since landing the in Philippines Hope has stayed by my bedside. His name tag reads:
Hope n. desire for something good, accompanied be the belief that it is obtainable; the source and reason for optimism.

This is a reminder I often need. Living here has made me realize you have to choose to turn your eyes towards the heartbreaks of the world in order to change them. You have to allow them to change you first. Most of the time doing the right thing is doing the hardest thing. Although at times this is the scariest, hardest thing I have ever done I have found Hope in the middle of it all. Hope when a bald headed street girl in a dirty little dress gives you the best hug ever. Hope from amazing friendships that witness your hardest times and encourage you to carry on. Hope when a teenage girl that attempted an abortion decides to give up her own dreams and in choosing life hears her baby’s heart beat for the first time. Hope does not come running after you in the airport it is what you find when you choose to look at the pain and find love instead.

And a little shout out to Mike where ever your travels have led you I pray Hope has found you along the way.