Protect That Little Flicker of Hope

It’s a really good thing we don’t know what’s around the corner – if we knew it was bad news it would spoil everything from the moment you found out and you’d suffer much more. If it was good news, you wouldn’t have the joyful surprise. So the secret is to believe there will be good news ahead and deal with the knocks if or when they hit you.

My Dad taught me the best lesson in always hoping for he best – just by being himself despite far more than his fair share of setbacks and difficulties. He survived some pretty gruelling times during the Second World War in the Royal Signals – he was in Dunkirk after the great evacuation, and then for as long as I can remember, he looked after my Mum who had a progressive mental dementia. He never faltered in his love and devotion despite her aggressive moods and irrational behaviour. He never bemoaned his lot and stoically kept going until sadly his health failed. Even then, in the nursing home he would keep the staff amused with his spirited approach to life (and his enthusiasm for televised golf and snooker and the occasional half pint of Guinness). In particular, he had a copy of the Daily Mail delivered every day – and would eagerly search out the scratchcards which promised the chance to win a new house.

It was Dad’s amazing belief that something wonderful was just around the corner that kept him going despite all that life threw at him and I have chosen to view life in the same way. So many people seem to think that it’s far more likely to be bad news than good, but all that does is spoil today – and no one knows about tomorrow.