In either hand a palm, one small and sticky with promise, tugging, the other broader, its lifeline crosshatched with yours, but you never thought to walk this way alone.
The hand of hope reached out across a land scarred by decades of deadly enmity its peoples ravaged, body and soul divided by religion, politics, culture, colour The war had raged for so long people had forgotten there was any other way to be
But the hand of hope reached out - its palm filled with tiny seeds Long grass grew and swayed in the wind among poppies, meadowsweet and memories
The hand of hope reached a little further sowing peace within the heart of humankind reminding us of love and forgiveness of sun and rain of rainbows and possibilities of extending the hands of hope.
My hands are available to give out as much help as I can to others. I hope that the things I try to do will make them realise that there are people, not many, who will do their best to give comfort and understanding. So many are not able to accept help from other people. Myself, I feel joy to think I have done something worthwhile and it certainly cleanses the mixed-up emotions in my head. It is like a de-clutter.
I have a dear friend who runs her own business. She is finding everything getting too much for her. She has had scaffolding around her home and months of dirt and dust. The scaffolding is down now, so I went round and we got down to lots of cleansing.
When we finished, she said to me "I feel so much lighter, mentally. I am seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. Our hands of hope are nearly achieved.
The hand of hope catches all the circumstances thrown at it and holds them steady before a contemplative gaze.
The hand of hope rests gently in the lap of acceptance. It does not squeeze or clench in anger. It remains open and relaxed.
The hand of hope is always ready to greet the new, the old, the changed and the familiar.
The hand of hope does not try to hold on to others. It sits with them, until they are ready to move on. When that time comes, it acknowledges the lessons and blessings that they have brought. It lifts them up, releases them and then it waves them goodbye.
A hand that is extended in friendship is a hand of hope. It aspires to both help and be helped. It is ready to guide and to be led. It holds the door open between two traveling souls and it carries with it the gift of time.
Time to learn and grow together, time to enjoy the rewards that friendship brings and time to reflect upon the journey.