HOPE (2nd post today)

Second update in the same day. I must be amazing. :) I actually wanted to touch base on the word hope. I have a friend that does not believe in that word. She said that it is in replace of the word fear. I have not sat with her and gotten all of her reasoning behind this, but she is the type of person that does research first, and makes a decision second. Although, I am sure this makes much sense to her, but I am soo glad that it doesn't to me. (whew) I use the word hope in my everyday living, even before cancer. Her example was, "I hope I get the job." Really you are saying "I fear I won't get the job." I thought about this, and I see what she means. I get her point. I am also certain that if we spoke more on this topic she would have many more really good examples and she would make sense. But luckily for me I see it completely different. Let me give you an example. "I hope that I am not late." I seriously do not fear of being late, I just really hope I am on time. In her example hope replaces fear. If anything for me in my life fear is replaced with hope. I choose to live in hope everyday, rather than fear. Example. When Rich was being air lifted to the hospital I was filled with all sorts of fear. I could feel me breaking and ready to explode with tears, fear, etc. I said a prayer and was filled with hope. It replaced my fear and I was able to settle down. I was still upset and the drive took forever, but I was feeling something completely different. I felt hope and faith take over my fear. Whew, I am so thankful for hope. If you focus on the 'hope' part of your trial, or your experience,  it has the power to take the fear out of it. I am a firm believer in hope. For this, I am grateful. I hope you do too! I hope Rich is able to kick cancer's butt! I could be consumed with fear that he won't, and sometimes fear does poke in, but luckily hope resides inside that statement 99% of the time and I am able to focus on him just kicking it's butt and believing he will. ;0)  Carry on...