A Bucket Full of Hope

Recently during a heavy rain fall, a fond picture came into my mind. When my children were in elementary school they loved to put on their rain gear and stand outside in the pouring rain. Their hope was to catch the raindrops; with buckets in hand, they stood outside until those buckets overflowed. I still treasure that old snapshot!

As quickly as that snapshot came into my mind, my imagination went into overdrive. What if we could catch hope that way? What if hope overflowed from our own lives into others’ lives? And what if our buckets were constantly replenished with hope?

Buckets full of hope—what a beautiful way to picture life! As I’ve traveled the nation sharing my Little Pink Book series, I’ve met some amazing people. I’ve been motivated by survivors who’ve turned struggle into blessing. I’ve been inspired by creative organizations that offer emotional and financial support to cancer patients. I’ve been privileged to meet people who work tirelessly to create resources that deliver overflowing hope. Collectively, they supply a bucket full of hope!

When someone close to you is diagnosed with cancer, it changes your world too. As his emotions take the roller coaster ride, so do yours. As you watch her endure the fight, you want to fight alongside. When you see his strength fade, you wish you could infuse your own—as a gift of hope. As you pray for a cure, you get busy with other tangible ways to make a difference.

TalkAboutHealth’s founder recognizes the invaluable gift of hope. By bringing together patients, caregivers, authors, speakers, educators, physicians and others to share their encounters with cancer, ultimately hope is also shared.  Like a concert of falling raindrops, one person pouring out hope provides it for another. The overflowing gift of hope is instantly reciprocated, because when you give hope, you are replenished with even more hope.  That’s what I like to call the “infectious quality of hope!”

I encourage you to wait with anticipation for the next rainfall. Grab a bucket and catch some hope! Let it overflow from your life into others’ lives. Through our combined efforts of giving, doing, helping and sharing, no one is ever left without hope—no matter what life brings.

Maryann Makekau, Author & Inspirational Speaker (www.becausehopematters.com)

Tagged: hopesupportemotional supportcancer