Hope is an amazing thing!
Malkanthi and I had the joy of dedicating our beautiful daughter, Anjali, this Sunday. Most of our friends and family were present to celebrate the occasion, with well wishes sent from those who couldn't be there.
The dedication brought into sharp focus the hopes and dreams we have for Anjali. Simple hopes for a happy life, full of love.
To hope your child's life is full of love and joy comes naturally and is universal (although sadly not everyone's experience).
It was encouraging to see so many people at Anjali's dedication, affirming Anjali, Malkanthi and I, and our desire that Anjali would sense the presence and love of God and others throughout her life.
Life is so precious and fragile though, and hope so tiny and seemingly impotent in the towering shadow of reality. Yet we still hope!
Hope is the unjustifiable expectation of joy. It is in our DNA. It amplifies our suffering, and yet we still hope.
And we hope that our hope does not dissappoint us, even though we know it may.
As a husband and parent, I have learnt to hope for the happiness of those 'other' to myself, especially Malkanthi and Anjali, more than my own happiness. While my words and actions may not always reflect this truth, the truth remains.
Hope and joy. Future and present, reaching out to each other.
How precious hope is!
