This will be my last “Images of Hope” post. Don’t be alarmed. I am not terminally ill, out of hope or photographs. I am certainly more hopeful today than I was a year ago. When I started this blog, it was my goal to provide a weekly update for a year. With this week’s post, I will have reached my goal set in those dark days at the beginning of the COVID shutdown. Please check back often. I’m sure I will find reason to update this page.
When I started this blog, I was vain to think that people might flock to this website to get inspiration that would help them get through the week. It turned out that the flock was more like a gaggle. Judging from the analytics that the good people at SquareSpace have provided, the majority of the views have come from locations I can trace back to family and friends. Thank you all for the regular “likes”. Although the ratings were not high, knowing that there were a few fans tuned into my station gave me reason to renew the blog for another week.
Looking back on all 50 posts, this was really a weekly journal of what was passing through my head. It was my way of processing what was going on in my world and finding some way to find hope in that particular news item, current event, or holiday. Anniversaries and holidays provided easy material. I never had any problem trying to find an image to pair with my thoughts. However, the loss of life caused by COVID, the riots that ensued after the death of George Floyd and the actions of our political leaders, wore heavy on my mind. On these occasions, I struggled with the words and images that I thought could bring some semblance of hope.
To be fully transparent, on one occasion, I had to turn to a photo that was not mine. I knew the black and white image of my high school basketball team was the only image that would help me express my thoughts regarding race. I apologize for not being able to give the credit due to this photographer.
Had it not been for the support of my family and friends, this blog probably would have ceased after a week or two. Thank you all for bringing credibility to my efforts by taking the time to read my blog and provide feedback. I know that my wife and son found it hard to read every posting. I touched on many nerves close to the heart, that on occasion, caused tears. A blog about hope should not cause pain. I hope that they were all tears of joy.
The image that I have selected for this last post may look familiar. It is the same image that I use for my homepage. I find it very fitting for today. As we emerge from the isolation brought on by COVID, we are provided with the opportunity to readdress how we are going to live our lives. We have learned through these trying times that nothing can be taken for granted. We can’t assume that we can put anything off until tomorrow. We need to live each day as if were our last.
As I have done throughout this blog, I have included many of my favorite quotes and lyrics. What follows below is a quote from Bob Sega, a friend that we lost to prostate cancer. I think that his words are especially appropriate today:
“Life is short. Break the rules.
Forgive quickly. Kiss slowly.
Hug often. Love truly. Laugh uncontrollably.
Never regret what made you smile.
Each day is a gift given to us to share with others.”
I urge you to always take the road not travelled. You never know the beauty that awaits around the corner, the friends you will make or the memories you will create. You will find your life is fuller for having taken the risk. You might even find yourself writing a blog. Who would have thought?
