What does Hope Look Like to You?

What does Hope look like to you?

Difficult to quantify, I know. And sometimes it is tough to actually come by or truly feel. Especially when there’s so much emotion, stress and pressure in the world around us.

But on weekends like this one. In seasons like this one. Where reminders of hope and light have come packaged and perched upon our doorstep- I am reminded. There is good in there world too. There are people who genuinely want to help others. And hungry for a tangible way to do it.

And I feel blessed, incredibly blessed- to be able to take all that goodwill, and the physical contributions that come with…and pour into others who need it.

Our family sat down this weekend and started going through all the packages that have steadily arrived this season. Some of the earliest contributions came in October. And others just this week. All sizes, shapes, colors and quantities. All with different meanings and purposes.

Amazon Fire sticks- to provide much needed entertainment and escape. Especially since the hospital TVs have few channels and the pickings are sparse.

Fuzzy socks, fluffy robes and cozy throw blankets to keep comfy and warm.

Snacks and treats. Chapsticks and lotions. Coloring books, activity puzzles, colored pencils and sharpeners. Hair ties and headbands. “Hope” mugs. Mini Christmas trees with decorating kits. Cleansing cloths. Breastfeeding gel pads. Journals. Coffee gift cards.

A mix of some basic toiletries and care items- but ones that we hope will bring comfort and lift up spirits.

As we packed up the hospital card packages this year..my sons and husband helped. Unwrapping small boxes and individually sorting items into piles. The boys kept exclaiming about each item and what it was. And this year…they started asking more about “why?”.

“Why do we do this Mommy?”

Our older son is old enough to have a slight memory of why we went through. Younger one obviously not. And right now, the story is still kept simple. “Mommy and Daddy bring back gifts to other mommies in the hospital at Christmas, because your Mommy was sick and in the hospital at Christmas awhile ago. And I know how sad and lonely that made me feel. While I’m better now…there are some mommies who aren’t, and we want to make them feel a bit better at Christmas. We pray these baskets bring them hope.”

Someday my kiddos will hear more about the journey and the detailed why that lead us to Project Mama’s Hope. But for today…we keep it simple.

As we packaged and placed items carefully in bins, to be delivered to the hospital later this week..I looked around the basement room where we were assembling things and couldn’t help but think one thing to myself.

“Today…this season, Hope looks like:

12 Amazon fire sticks

5 mini Christmas trees

10 packets of ornaments

5 mini stockings

250+ snack bags

20 rolls of lifesavers

20 holiday fair isle socks

72 headbands

36 burts bees chapsticks

54 mini hand creams

6 EOS large hand creams

330 hair elastics

12 adult inspirational quotes coloring books

4 word hunt books

15 word search puzzle books

20 (50 item) colored pencils pack

12 cozy blankets

14 journals

6 ice hot nursing gel packs

12 large canister Aveeno cleansing pads

10 large canvas baskets

3 bathrobes

14 “Hope” coffee mugs

8 mini Aquaphor tubs

Dozens of coffee gift cards.

Look what a community of people came together to do. What a beauty thing.”

Please let there always, always be hope.