Your Life Story Part 6
October 30, 2024
Your Life Story Part 6
The role of hope is essential to our story. Without hope, how do we get through the most challenging times? Without hope, how do we see the light at the end of our tunnels? If it were not for hope, why would we believe in anything?
Allan Hamilton M.D., tells the story of having led a family through their battle with a malignant brain tumor that threatened their child’s life. The family fought like hell for their son’s life, and so did the child. Dr. Hamilton removed the tumor, and the boy required regular follow-ups. The child grew into a young man, but the brain tumor returned as he matured. He had several more operations, and his life was fragile. One day, at a check-up, the young man told the doctor, “When you know that things are going south, be really honest with me and tell me ‘it’s time to go fly fishing”.
Several months went by, and the young man deteriorated, just like he had many times before. This time, Dr. Hamilton put in another shunt, yet saw from the tests that the patient he’d come so close to would die soon. He remembered that the young man had told him, “ Doc, when things go south, tell me, it’s time to go fly fishing.” So after this exam, Dr. Hamilton, who himself was saddened, said to the young man,” Remember when you asked me to tell you when it’s time to go fly fishing? Well, it’s time.” Below are Dr. Hamilton’s words after he said the dreaded words to his patient.
“He [the young man] nodded his head and said, ‘Well, it’s time.’ I saw him turn sheet white and deflate like I stuck him with a pin. His parents called me in the morning to tell me he’d passed away during the night. After losing the young man, I vowed I would never deny another human being’s right to hope. He lost his life to my truth; what I learned from him is that no one has the right to take away another person’s hope.”
As a psychologist and as a person who needs hope, I am convinced hope is the glue that holds our life story together against all odds, even when we lose our battles. Even in complete loss, there is hope of some kind. To see it and to honor that right in others is a quality of our soul.
Spiritual practice: Answer these self-inquiries: What was the circumstance when hope most held you together? Did someone give you the hope, or did it spring from within? Do you believe we can indeed remove someone’s hope? Do you have a loving person who would listen to your answers? (see the book, Holy Listening, by Margaret Guenther).
Dear God,
Even in my most tremendous losses, you instill hope beyond all hope. I am blessed and grateful. Amen
