Thank you for sharing these hopes Mary and thank you for sharing “the wish.” These pockets have sprinkled seeds of small hopes for me since I first stumbled upon your Substack over a year ago. Also definition for “hope” that I hold close (from David Steinl Radst) is “openness for surprise.” And the ripples of connections with creative souls (like the community here) continue to surprise me and remind me of all the good news in the midst of the bad..
That is really cool Dottie. What is the name of your lovely island? You live in a beautiful place. If it’s located where I think it is, I imagine it is not spring for you.
The movie was mostly filmed on Tybee Island, Georgia and the larger uninhabited barrier island across the river from us, Little Tybee Island. Although we have more than our fair share of movies filmed in Savannah/Tybee area it is always eye opening to see the landscape through someone else's eyes. And yes, spring is showing herself now in the coating of bright yellow pollen on everything and everyone and the dogwoods and azaleas are bursting forth with color almost by the minute.
Thank you for this, Mary 🩵 Matt’s a favorite of mine and one I turn to often when I’m in need of a truth filled hope.
I’m going to be a g-ma again this year, my daughter is having her second and little ones always tend to fill my hope cup up. Admittedly I’m afraid for them, but I’m buoyed by the past, in everything we’ve fought for. It’s worth it to keep fighting, to keep going.
Beautifully crafted, Mary. I appreciate how you included the cautionary tale to remind us to be careful what we consume and how, and then flipped it straight over to offer something nutritious and filling. Your friend's poem is equally lovely, and timeless. Iridescent wings are here! Thank you!
This is so the season of small hopes. I'm finding hope in the snow drops closer and closer to blooming every minute outside my back door, in walking today without a coat, in the conversations with neighbors also out in the sunshine. I'm finding hope watching for the crocus to bloom (there's one on my walk that likes to bloom early) and bird song and spring bulb shows that remind me to breath deeply and release my shoulders without even trying.
I'm finding hope in small acts of pushing back and coming together, in thoughtful words and others finding beauty in the broken world.
Also, I think I have Matt Haig book sitting on my shelf ... unless I passed it on for someone else to find small hopes. I'll have to go see.
I’m so curious which Matt Haig book you have on your shelf. This was my first, but I know he’s written in a few genres. I love your small hopes. Thanks for sharing!
“I’m finding so much hope in Spring this year, in the reminder that this season cannot be taken away…” My spring fever is off the charts this year. Need to see life awakening once again.
Oh wow! Small Hope. You fed my need for comfort today. I’m finding myself working and pleading with the Universe for small hope even tiny hope. I love this concept, because it makes everything possible. While my hope is that I find relief in this thing called Parkinson’s, I rest in the awareness that I may continue on with my meditations and the season not only of spring, but also the season of releasing and renewing. Thank you!!
Your pup looks like a snuggler, still learning confidence in his new family.
I like the word “small” in front of hope. Maybe all true hopes are only ever small (vs ideas we have about how things ought to go - those are big), and even a little preposterous.
The Hope Library has left an afterglow of hope and community feeling for me. Thank you for mentioning it!
Thank you for sharing these hopes Mary and thank you for sharing “the wish.” These pockets have sprinkled seeds of small hopes for me since I first stumbled upon your Substack over a year ago. Also definition for “hope” that I hold close (from David Steinl Radst) is “openness for surprise.” And the ripples of connections with creative souls (like the community here) continue to surprise me and remind me of all the good news in the midst of the bad..
Thanks for letting me share your poem here. I like that idea of openness to surprise.
Thank you for the book recommendation! Peanut Butter Falcon was filmed on the island where I live which makes it doubly wonderful.
That is really cool Dottie. What is the name of your lovely island? You live in a beautiful place. If it’s located where I think it is, I imagine it is not spring for you.
The movie was mostly filmed on Tybee Island, Georgia and the larger uninhabited barrier island across the river from us, Little Tybee Island. Although we have more than our fair share of movies filmed in Savannah/Tybee area it is always eye opening to see the landscape through someone else's eyes. And yes, spring is showing herself now in the coating of bright yellow pollen on everything and everyone and the dogwoods and azaleas are bursting forth with color almost by the minute.
That is so cool Dottie!
Thank you for this, Mary 🩵 Matt’s a favorite of mine and one I turn to often when I’m in need of a truth filled hope.
I’m going to be a g-ma again this year, my daughter is having her second and little ones always tend to fill my hope cup up. Admittedly I’m afraid for them, but I’m buoyed by the past, in everything we’ve fought for. It’s worth it to keep fighting, to keep going.
Thank you for the reminder 🩵🩵🩵
Congrats on the grandma front. That is so exciting. Thank you for your beautiful wisdom and for reading and restacking.
There is so much hope to be found in spring. Thank goodness spring is the next season. And puppies. Oh the silly joys of puppies!!
So silly! Spring really does shift things. Thanks for reading Natalie.
Beautifully crafted, Mary. I appreciate how you included the cautionary tale to remind us to be careful what we consume and how, and then flipped it straight over to offer something nutritious and filling. Your friend's poem is equally lovely, and timeless. Iridescent wings are here! Thank you!
Careful consumption feels key to mental health these days. Thanks so much for reading and sharing and for your lovely comments.
This is so the season of small hopes. I'm finding hope in the snow drops closer and closer to blooming every minute outside my back door, in walking today without a coat, in the conversations with neighbors also out in the sunshine. I'm finding hope watching for the crocus to bloom (there's one on my walk that likes to bloom early) and bird song and spring bulb shows that remind me to breath deeply and release my shoulders without even trying.
I'm finding hope in small acts of pushing back and coming together, in thoughtful words and others finding beauty in the broken world.
Also, I think I have Matt Haig book sitting on my shelf ... unless I passed it on for someone else to find small hopes. I'll have to go see.
I’m so curious which Matt Haig book you have on your shelf. This was my first, but I know he’s written in a few genres. I love your small hopes. Thanks for sharing!
Hope is what we all need right now. Lovely post!
Thank you!
This is such a lovely and necessary reminder to notice the beauty around us and find strength in it.
Thank you! Strength and beauty in the little things.
“I’m finding so much hope in Spring this year, in the reminder that this season cannot be taken away…” My spring fever is off the charts this year. Need to see life awakening once again.
Agreed!
Oh wow! Small Hope. You fed my need for comfort today. I’m finding myself working and pleading with the Universe for small hope even tiny hope. I love this concept, because it makes everything possible. While my hope is that I find relief in this thing called Parkinson’s, I rest in the awareness that I may continue on with my meditations and the season not only of spring, but also the season of releasing and renewing. Thank you!!
I’m so glad this fed you in ways that you needed. Wishing you peace and healing.
Your pup looks like a snuggler, still learning confidence in his new family.
I like the word “small” in front of hope. Maybe all true hopes are only ever small (vs ideas we have about how things ought to go - those are big), and even a little preposterous.
The Hope Library has left an afterglow of hope and community feeling for me. Thank you for mentioning it!
Thanks fore letting me include it here Tara. Yes, a little snuggler indeed. Thanks for reading and for your beautiful reflection.