art credit: the hope tree, by ashvin harrison
—
she looked older, tired, worn down, but trying
dark eyeliner, hair an unnatural black, a gold barrette
standing at the register
waiting as i approached
buying paper for an art project
noticing colors and prints on the papers
she pointed at them, saying:
“if you mix this blue with this flowered print, it looks exactly like the inside of the locket that i had when i was a little girl. it was shaped like a heart, my mother gave it to me, it had both of our pictures in it. is was really something. it didn’t make it through the fire though. i think someone came and took it after that happened. they didn’t know how important it was. i’ve had my dreams squashed before, but i still have hope.”
she shared all of that with me, a random stranger, in a 2 minute encounter. something about her was achingly sad, yet i also felt admiration for her refusal to surrender to a life that may have never been easy, still holding out hope for a better day, yet to come. amazing person.
—
“hope is the feeling we have that the feeling we have is not permanent.”
-mignon mclaughlin
I didn't have my glasses on.... 
What an interesting encounter with that lady. She told you so much about her character in such a short time.
Best wishes, Pete.
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she really did
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Hope is like air; without it we cannot survive. A wonderful story beautifully told and shared. Loved the quote!
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thanks, brad –
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A special encounter.
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it was – something about what I was buying triggered those memories for her
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Yes! A lovely tale of hope. Sad, yet uplifting. So good 🙂
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thanks, Ryan –
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Yes, indeed, without hope, what is there? Lovely post indeed Beth!
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that’s right –
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I am looking at the colorful leaves of the hope tree. Leaves fall and often hope may seem to leave us too. But leaves return and fortunately hope has a way of coming back too.
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so beautifully said –
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this is heart-breakingly beautiful and equally sad. As is the Hope Tree…. What must have gone on in that woman to open her heart to you in such a deep and touching fashion?! Thanks for sharing.
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I agree, it was such a mix of emotions, and something in what I was buying triggered these memories in her, and I felt honored to be there to here them –
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addendum: Over breakfast outside I said to HH: Look how the one tree and the hazelnut bush already start throwing yellow leaves away…. Up to yesterday we had no rain for weeks and since then it’s pouring down, wonderful for the nature. But it might be kinda late for some trees with roots not deep enough. Yet; we all, nature and humans, continue to HOPE.
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oh, that’s so beautiful observed and said, Kiki
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A brave woman.
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brave is the perfect word
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👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
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What a moving encounter.
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it really was, and I thought about her for a long time after.
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I’m sure
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Now we can hope that she finds at a little bit of what she needs now, Beth.
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Yes, to that –
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Oh how I wish this woman could get her locket back…intact, but I’m glad she still has the memory and the paper that reminds her of a heartfelt memory.
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Yes, I feel the same
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💗💗
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❤️
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Great story. The realization was a gift for you and you were able to recognize it.
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It really was a gift
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Love that picture. And that quote is going into my notes for safekeeping.
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❤️
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P.S. I also have a gold locket that my parents gave me. It has their pictures in it. It’s one of the few things I still have from my childhood and it’s irreplaceable.
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oh, that is so wonderful and so glad you still have it
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A wonderful encounter and just being there an listening was your gift to her. I hope it made her life a little better.
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I know it did, mine
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What a wonderful, heart-felt conversation. Sometimes these fleeting moments with someone you don’t know make the moments shine brighter. Thank you for sharing.
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It really moved me in so many ways
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Beth, thanks for letting me know. I write to create connection between humans. Your comment makes my heart smile. Lately I have been thinking of the many, many people who have been displaced and hoping they will find a new home. I can’t imagine what it would be like to leave behind your home country.
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Right –
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What an amazing moment. ❤️💙
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it was, Martha –
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Hope is the tether I cling to.
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yes, we all need hope
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This is very moving, Beth
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thank you –
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The power of human connection. That little encounter may have been very important to her.
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I hope so, and I know it was very meaningful for me
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Beautiful and serene and a little bit sad. I felt like I wanted to hug her.
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yes, I felt that same thing
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Hope is a powerful force. Life sustaining, in fact.
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it absolutely is
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And from her, through you, hope grows and reaches out.
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oh, I love the way you put that –
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❤️
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It’s “small” moments like that which sometimes matter the most. Just reading about interactions like this remind us all our humanity should be front and center whenever we’re among others, ready to put forth…even if we’re just listening.
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Beautifully said
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How wonderful that she could express that to you. You were the lucky recipient of her hope.
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Yes,I love that she shared it
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😍
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That went straight to my heart up to my eyes, that filled.
I love these types of encounters that stay with you.
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❤️
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💕
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