HOPE for 2008 and On

This was a great little exercise, Katherine - thanks for a thought-provoking prompt!

HOPE

When life is good, when everything runs smooth ~ "Keep it up," we hope

But when the worst in life happens, we must hold on to hope.

Ben met his first love this year and asked her out ~ she said 'yes.'

I talk to him about respect and responsibility, but when he's out of sight all I can do is hope.

Zana reads and reads and reads - Twilight at least a dozen times.

She says she wants to be a vampire, but I told her, "True love is your real hope."

Caleb is our little paradox: struggling to complete homework while acing standard tests.

From tentative plans for bone marrow transplant to the wonderful news of cellular remission ~ a testament to hope.

Ethan's strong work ethic and persistence are encouraging, even when his Eeyore-ish whining gets annoying.

Will he become the happy, loving, and talented young man I hope?

Quin is adoring, "Mommy, I love you as much as the universe, 'cause it keeps on 'spanding."

Will he still feel that way in a year, 2 years, 20 years? I surely hope.

Russ worries because our finances are tight, but we're making steady progress.

Good thing for the kids, love is more important than money ~ another testament to love and hope.

It's been a tumultuous year, with many ups and downs.

But the thing that always remains is HOPE.