How can we give a  suffering person something to look forward to?  Hope. How can we give them hope? Martin Luther King, Jr said, “If you lose hope, somehow you lose the vitality that keeps moving, you lose that courage to be, that quality that helps you go on in spite of it all.”

A hospice nurse also emphasizes the importance of hope.  “Even the littlest of hopes can bring a bit of joy on a dark day. Help the person look forward to something.  Give them a touch of ‘hope’.” For example, remind the person of a visit from someone special. ”Didn’t you say that your daughter is visiting you Friday?” Tell the person when you will be returning:  “Mom, I will see you next Friday, same time, same place.  I will look forward to that time.” Promise them a phone call at a designated time each day or week.

One thing I like to do is leave 7 tiny surprise packages – with instructions to open 1 after dinner each night. All of these are little ways to give people a bit of joy on a dark day.  Give them something to look forward to – a touch of hope. God bless.

Photo Credit: green umbrella