The following post was originally published on August 9, 2012. It was part of a blog relay in honor of the 2012 Summer Olympics. The idea was to write about and spread the idea of Hope. It’s a post I enjoyed writing, and I thought it was appropriate, being in the middle of the 2014 Winter Olympics.
hope (noun): the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best
A few years ago, I remember asking a co-worker about her progress on the solicitation of donations for the nonprofit where we worked. She was looking for donations of gifts for female residents of a short-term residential substance abuse treatment program. A 28-day program where women typically leave with as many days of sobriety as their stay.
Some of these women were in treatment with their children, and it was only because the program allowed them to stay with their children that they were in treatment at all.
Presents on Christmas morning were the least of these women’s worries. But, who wants to wake up in a place that’s not home on Christmas morning and not get at least one present?
My co-worker responded to my inquiry with “I asked and sent a hope and a prayer along with it.”
My response was “We shouldn’t have to send a hope and a prayer. People should just give.”
That’s easier said than done, of course. My perspective was that these women deserved to have a gift for themselves and their children on Christmas morning. Treatment isn’t easy, especially in a residential rehab setting. Contrary to some beliefs, there isn’t a magic wand in rehab that suddenly turns your life around. Plus, who wants to be in a treatment facility during the holidays?
Presents didn’t have to be big. Just enough to show the female clients that they are worthy of a gift. That they have hope for a healthy future. Or any future at all. As surprising as it may seem, some had never been given the gift of hope.
My co-worker knew from experience that people didn’t always see it the same way. It’s hard to give to a person who may have hurt more than they have helped in the past.
In the end, as it happens every year, every resident received a gift on Christmas morning and so did the children (even some that weren’t living at the facility). Kind people, churches and organizations donated things that the women and their children could use when they left treatment – clothes, AA books, a special stuffed animal that would stay with them forever and be a symbol of their new lives.
Everyone deserves a second chance, if you ask me. And, yes, sometimes it takes a few chances.
But, without hope, where would we be?
I, for one, know how powerful the gift of hope can be. I’m glad you reposted this, because I missed it first go round!
Alexa recently posted..Delicious Gluten Free Pizza
I have no doubt you do, Alexa. Glad you enjoyed the post. It’s one worth digging up, I think!
anotherjennifer recently posted..Philanthropy Friday: Daily Giving and The Pollination Project
I don’t know if I ever saw this one, Jennifer! Oh my… what an incredibly powerful story here and i am SO glad that people came through for the children and women who needed gifts to open come Christmas Morning..
Hope- ah hope. I think that is the hardest word to come by and the most treasured gift to hold.
Chris Carter recently posted..Devotional Diary: Broken Hearted In Need Of Love
It’s sad that people don’t think they even deserve hope, isn’t it? It is most definitely one of the best gifts one can receive.
anotherjennifer recently posted..Wordless Wednesday: Snow Day Fun
You are right we all do deserve hope and a second chance. Seriously, just couldn’t agree more with you on this, Jennifer and thank you for re-sharing because I didn’t get to read this on your blog the first time out.
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My pleasure, Janine. It’s one of my favorites!
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I work with a domestic violence shelter, and we always say that in addition to physical safety and security, our goal is to instill our clients with hope – hope that they can live violence-free lives, hope that they can become self-sufficient and not reliant on their abuser, hope for a better future. Because you’re right, where would ANY of us be without hope?
Katie @ Pick Any Two recently posted..7 Ways to Stop Emotional Eating
Many of these women have a history of trauma and/or abuse. Without hope, they couldn’t move forward. Thank you for the work you do, Katie!
anotherjennifer recently posted..Philanthropy Friday: Running for Boston
LOVE this post so much. Without hope, where would we be? Lost for sure I imagine. You are truly an inspiration…and everyone does deserve a 2nd chance…and actually all the chances.-Ashley
thedoseofreality recently posted..Would You Rather: Hear All Of Your Best Friend’s Thoughts Or Not Communicate At All?
I agree, Ashley! Who are we to deny anyone hope?
anotherjennifer recently posted..Wordless Wednesday: Give Mom a Meltdown-Free Valentine’s Day!
Everyone does deserve a second chance. Otherwise where is the hope in humanity? Thank you for sharing this again!
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Happy to, Michelle!
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I love this post. Hope is essential when your in a desperate situation. Hope is knowing that tomorrow can be a little bit better when today was crap. Those Christmas gifts gave those women hope that they can be worthy of someone’s love, even if it’s a little gift from a stranger. And when a little seed of hope is planted, live grows. Bless you!
Stephanie @ Hugs, Kisses and Snot recently posted..Observations of a Interim Middle School Youth Director
Very well put, Stephanie!
anotherjennifer recently posted..Philanthropy Friday (rewind): Celebrating 100 School Days with Kindness
Probably one of my favorite posts you’ve written. I’m glad you re-posted this!
It’s hard to give to a person who may have hurt more than they have helped in the past. <– Such a true statement, but this blinds so many people. A person could have committed the harshest of harsh crimes in the past, but if you meet them today, you can only judge them from today. It would be unfair to judge them from their past. Sure, that can influence your opinion or view about them, but don't make it set in stone until you give them a chance. Hope. They probably need it more than you do.
Ashlee recently posted..A Day At Ellington Agricultural Center
Thank you, Ashlee. People change for the better. Hope, I think, helps get them to that better place. We should be careful when we judge.
anotherjennifer recently posted..Wordless Wednesday: Glazed Before and After
Sometimes hope IS all you can give or all you can do. Hope is what enables some to survive. We need to be spreading more of it.
Leah recently posted..Quote of the Week
I completely agree, Leah!
anotherjennifer recently posted..Bill and Melinda Gates: Debunking Myths Around Global Poverty
What a powerful story. I’m so glad you reposted this because I wasn’t lucky enough to “know” you summer of 2012!
Tamara recently posted..One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Des Fish.
I figured a lot of my current readers probably missed it. Glad you enjoyed it, Tamara!
What a beautiful, heart-warming post! These women definitely sound like they are deserving of hope. How wonderful that they are able to go to a treatment program where their children are welcome. Thanks for re-sharing!
Bev recently posted..14 Things Worth Celebrating
It’s a really great (and innovative) program, Bev. They are still a client of mine. Love working with them. So inspirational.
What a beautiful post! You’re exactly right that we need to be giving hope… This treatment center sounds like it’s such a blessing to the women in it!
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They save lives and bring families back together. It’s quite amazing. Addiction doesn’t discriminate. Luckily most of the women do find hope.
I’m so glad I caught this post this time around! I absolutely agree that what a gift symbolises – hope, or simply that someone thought of you – can be so much more than the gift itself. It can be so easy – particularly when battling a disease like addiction – to feel cut off from society, feel as though you’ve blown it in life, that a Christmas gift could mean everything. Thanks for sharing!
Claire recently posted..Friday 21 February is Life is Swede Day!!!
My pleasure, Claire. I think we’ve all had a moment when we’ve just feel down and needed some encouragement. Everyone deserves hope, no matter where they are in life.
anotherjennifer recently posted..Wordless Wednesday: Snowy United States of America
This is an inspiring post filled with hope! It’s nice to read stories of others who are touched in a special way such as these in rehab. Thanks for sharing!
Cathy Kennedy recently posted..Wordless Wednesday: Near Devil’s Courthouse on BRPKY
I’m glad you enjoyed the post, Cathy!
anotherjennifer recently posted..Wordless Wednesday: Snowy United States of America
What an inspiring post! Everyone deserves a second chance.
Diana
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Thanks, Diana. I agree!
anotherjennifer recently posted..Wordless Wednesday: Snowy United States of America
Everyone deserves to have a gift on Christmas morning. And I agree that for the women, they needed to know that they were worthy of a gift and a different kind of future. And the children? They needed to know that Santa will find them no matter where they are. That they are worthy of that too. I remember the Hope relay. I’m not sure if we knew each other yet though because I don’t remember reading this!
Ilene recently posted..A Modern Family Valentine
That may have been around the time I was just discovering your blog, Ilene. Michelle Montero passed the baton to me. Did you write one?
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