The road that is built in hope is more pleasant to the traveler than the road built in despair, even though they both lead to the same destination.
Marion Zimmer Bradley
In light of the above quotation, I would like to tell you a story of an old woman in my town. She was probably around 60 years old, but the age was barely a number for her. Her energy to accomplish the task and vision for life is no less than young blood, enthusiastic person.
I first found her in the civil court of my area, carrying a bunch of documents in one hand, and the other hand was covered with a big cloth (also known as a shawl). She bowed her head in front of the lawyer and asked them for taking her lawsuit.
But the lawyer refused to take it, probably thinking she might be unable to pay the heavy fees.
I often saw her coming to the court with hope but every time she had to return with disappointment on her wrinkled face. After seeing her in this condition, I was about to ask her about her problems but she didnβt appear for several days.
After a few months, I went to the market to purchase some household things and I got surprised. I saw one old woman selling vegetables on the street with the same appearance as I saw in the court.
That time I did not want to miss this chance to know about her. I reached out to her and asked for the vegetableβs price at first and then purchased from her.
After a few minutes,
I asked her- βWhy are you selling Vegetables on the streets at such an old age?β
She didnβt reply to me and I just left her alone. I asked another vendor about her.
Another vendor said, βShe is an aggressive woman, always seems a freak, donβt purchase anything from herβ.
However, I didnβt agree with him. I again turned to her and after so many tries she finally answered my questions.
She replied in a very generous way,- βThis is the only way left to make me and my grandson survive.β
Surprisingly after a bit of talk, she called me to her house. So, I went to her house and she welcomed me with heartiness, offered me tea, and gave me some snacks.
I was overwhelmed by her loving nature and she also reminded me of my grandmother. After a while, I asked her about the cloth she wears in one hand. In answer to my question, she removed the cloth from her hand.
She was one-handed.
The old woman shared the story β I lost one hand two years ago in a car accident. I know what you want to know from me.
She then narrated the story behind her becoming the street vendor.
She told me β I lost my husband after 2 years of our marriage, and at that time Ajay (changed name), my son was only 5 months. Everyone insisted I should marry someone and live the rest of my life happily. But I decided to live with my hope βAjayβ and would devote my whole life to his better future.
I askedβ So, why didnβt you get remarried, might you could have a better life by now.
She half-smiled.
And said β I loved Ajayβs father very much, and before marriage, we took a pledge to spend our whole life together. Now he is no more but he left his soul and my hope in the name of Ajay.
I got so emotional that time. I just wanted to know what happened after that.
Out of curiosity, I asked β So, whereβs Ajay now?
She got emotional.
She replied- I lost him and her wife in a car accident. We were returning home, it was dense Fogg outside, visibility was extremely low and the taxi on which we were coming crashed with the truck and Ajay and his wife died at the moment and I lost my one hand.
She paused for a while there.
And then saidβ But for Godβs sake, my grandson which was on my lap that time was somehow made out alive.
She continued narrating β Since then, I have continuously reached the court so that I can get the insurance claim and can provide my grandson a good life. He is my new hope for life. I am selling vegetables for our bread butter. I know you also assumed that Iβm mad and violent. But I am only hoping for a good life for my grandson because Ajay will never come again but he left his son as a new hope for me.
I asked β why do you always trust much in hope? it can be a lie.
And she gave me the new vision to live a life in her answer.
She replied β Hope gives me power, it makes me optimistic, it helps me in forgetting the past, it always uplifts my motivation, that is the reason I always rely on hope. Hope is everything for me.
It is the reward of hope that someone came to me and asked about my situation and now he is a good friend of mine. We both smile facing each other. there was something strange at that moment. I left for my home after that.
After meeting her my vision for life changed, I found that secret & mysterious energy in the word βhopeβ. Sometimes all you have is hope when you lost everything. It is the thing that keeps you alive and encourages you to fight back.
Hope is a soft burning flame that is unable to be extinguished and capable of enduring any condition. Hope helps us to stay positive and helps us in tackling the situations.
βOnly in the darkness, you can see the starsβ- Martin Luther King. It helps us in managing stress, and anxiety and copes with hardship. It bestows our happiness and well-being. Hope helps in setting high-quality goals and accomplishing them.
It is the result of hope that the old lady is still so strong, that she is managing all ups and downs in her life. Hope helps you in focusing on the main goal rather than crying about the situation. By hope, you can focus on your priorities and let things off making you down.
Whenever we need support and no one is there to encourage us, that time Hope gives us the energy to reduce mental pressure and stay calm. Because whoever has no one, has a God. That time despite feeling anxious, stay calm and let give things to God.
When one door is closed, another door is opened at the same time. There is nothing permanent in life, even bad times also. Always draw hope and say to yourself βEverything will be alrightβ.
I found some positivity in hope, I know everyone has a different aspect to look at the situation. Nevertheless, as the old lady makes her way despite all the atrocities. We should also set our priorities, and pay attention to the present moments and also what God offers us. It makes us so strong that we can continue our journey despite all challenges and failures.
I have started hoping for a good and better future, and also hoping that you like the story and may positivity comes into your life. I HOPE.
Peace
Edited by- Ritish
Art Work by β Ridhi
Our Mailing Address β Namaskar@theblogera.com
Wants to unfold more real stories of hopes? Check out the book Unfold the Stories of Unsung Heroes. The stories here are both real & inspiring. The book is meant to make us realize that there is so much potential in being alive that we just never tap into.
A highly recommended book.
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Inspiring story; I hope that you will read my post this Friday, 24 December, as it is about an Indian man
so extraordinary that a film was made of his life.
Joanna
Thank you very much, I will surely visit your amazing blog post.
Hope is the resource of those who feel capable of overcoming life's difficulties and moving on. Very good your reflection and your story.
Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Exactly, the crux of the post is the same as you mentioned above. We must always hope for the best.
Merry Christmas to you and your family
Thank you for your appreciation.
You are welcome
π
HOPE indeed. Jesus Christ brought in His Person the HOPE of the whole world. He came and died to save ALL human souls. I have discovered in life that a personal relationship with HIM has brought me the greatest HOPE I have ever known. Happy Christmas! Celebrate the Birth of HOPE.
It's amazing to see your faith in Jesus Christ and Hope. Jesus Christ has given the world new hope for humanity.
Merry Christmas to you and your family.π
Very inspiring story....
The spirit of the women to survive ,to fight back is something unmatchable....
Hope is what keeps her going...and that's just brave β€
Yes, She is brave and her spirit to fight with the situations is unbelievable. She is an inspiration to me and I hoped she will inspire others too.
Thank you for your appreciation.π
Wonderful story Deepak. Thank you.
My Hope rests in the One whose birth we celebrate this Christmas, whose candle is an eternal flame shedding light in a darkened world for a forever future where Hope, Joy, Love and Peace reign supreme.
Best wishes for a Blessed, Hope filled Christmas, and beyond.
It's my pleasure that you like the story and find it meaningful. May happiness spread in the world and Best wishes to you and your family for a happy Christmas.π
π± That is a awesome post π π π
I can relate to such things as this &
that's is SO TRUE. Hope is a powerful
motivator, & very strong life survival.
Me & hubby live in faith prayer & hope
God hears our prayers & see's our hearts
we have to always feel his presence &
listen to him & he will pull you through.
Hope is so powerful that it never lets your motivation down. I also believe in God and by hoping for God I always find solutions to the things which bother me.
I hope for a healthy life for and your husband.
Wish you a Merry Christmas ππ
Amen, merry Christmas to you & yours
π
Wow! What a fantastic story of hope. When I read the story of this woman, I feel like a weaking, spoiled, and ashamed. When we feel sorry for ourselves, we don't have to look far to see how blessed we really are.
Yes, she is a brave woman and whenever I see her passing by, I always take lessons from her.
Thank you for your appreciation π
Wonderful story with an inspiring message, Ritish! <3
Thank you Cherylπ
Wish you a Merry Christmas β€
Wishing you nothing but hope and happiness this holiday season! Merry Christmas πππ
Thank you very much and wish you a Merry Christmas too and your family π
Have a good time
πππππ
A good post indeed
I loved the story and the artwork
thank you
Thank you for your appreciation. It's a great compliment for us.
π
You can check out my new post on
https://monasblog952217659.wordpress.com/2021/12/27/book-review-the-secret-seven/
I will surely go through itβ€
Thank you
Wonderful share.
Thank you π
Beautiful message! Hope is everything!
π
Indeed, Hope gives us the power to make life easy.
Thank you for visiting π
Such an inspiring message, so nice to meet you Deepak!
I am glad that you find it meaningful. Nice to meet you too, Thank you.
youβre most welcome!
walk the path
which the soul
determined
above all
if the way
in the next day
seems impassable
the dream of the night
opens a door
inwards and outwards
to the next step
to the next act
We really appreciate your words, Thank you for stopping by β£
So appreciate this too! Very inspiring!
Thank you for your kind words π
Beautiful. <3
Thankyou Anna Ma'am.