NothinginmylifehadpreparedmeforwhatIhadtodo.Choosingmywordscarefully, andfightingtostaycalm, Itoldmy4yearolddaughterthathergrandmotherhadsufferedastroke(中风)，thatshewasunconscious, andthatthedoctorssaidshewouldprobablyneverwakeup.Asshemovedclosertome, Amelialookedatme, eyesbright, andsaid, “Maybe Grandma will be okay.”“Maybeshewill，”Isaid, keepingbackthetears, ButIknewbetter.IwasflyinguptoMyrtleBeach, SouthCarolina, fromourFloridahomeinthemorningtosaygoodbyetomymom.
Therestofthatawfulweek, Ijoinedmybrotherandfathersittingbymymother'ssideinthehospitalroom.Iheldherhandandtalkedtoher.Itoldherthatwestillneededher.Itoldherthatitwasn'ttimetoleaveyet.ItoldherhowmuchIlovedher.AndItoldherthatherlittlegranddaughter, Amelia, believedthatshe'dgetbetter.Thedoctors, withalltheiryearsoftrainingandexperience, offerednohopeforrecovery.Thedamagewassimplytooextensive.
Then, acoupleofweekslater, anoddthinghappened.Momwokeup.Sheregainedconsciousness.Perseveredthroughalongandtoughrecovery, duringwhichshehadtolearntowalk, read, andwritealloveragain, andeventuallyreturnedhometoDad.Theonlyonewhowasn'tshockedwasAmelia.Thedoctorscouldn'texplainit.Ameliadidn'tneedto.Hopecameasnaturallytoherasbreathings.
Sowhyarewesoafraidtohopesometimes?Maybeit'sbecauseovertheyear, life'sdisappointmentscanturnustodisillusionment(理想破灭).Howmanytimeshaveyouheardsomeonesay: “Hope for the best, expect the worst”？That'snotreallyhopeatall.
Hopeisbeingabletolookatourworldwithallofthejoyandwonderofachild.
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