The Song of Hope: Project Good Words Musical Challenge

My thanks to my friends Jo, Maria, and Ruby, who all inspired this chapter in the story of a Child Named Hope. We will begin from the beginning of this series, and then listen to the Song of Hope.

“And the child was born, and as she grew it became apparent that this was a special child. Her golden hair reflected sunlight on sunny days, and during the gloom of winter she seemed to absorb the darkness, so that those in her proximity felt warmth where there was cold.

By the time she was eight she was sought by millions, all longing to be near her, to touch her, to bask in her peacefulness, and to hear her words. Every week, every Saturday, in a field of lavender, she met with those who had come from distant shores, and she answered their questions with patience, and with love.”

Listen, now, to the sweet melody of Hope.

One day Hope’s parents took her to town, and there they sought out the homeless, the destitute, and those who had given up on life. They had barely been there ten minutes before Hope saw a man sitting on the curb. Dressed in rags, emaciated, and yes, filthy, it was apparent that this was a man desperately in need.

Hope stood in front of the man and asked him if she could sit down next to him. He said yes, and she did, and then, with an angelic voice, Hope sang:

“If the sky above you should turn dark and full of clouds
and that old north wind should begin to blow,
keep your head together and call my name out loud.
Soon I will be knocking upon your door.
You just call out my name, and you know where ever I am
I'll come running to see you again.
Winter, spring, summer, or fall, all you have to do is call and I'll be there.” (You’ve Got a Friend)

Those who witnessed the child singing to the homeless man wept openly, and by the second stanza, a small crowd had formed, all singing, all smiling, all branding the moment in their minds and hearts.

The child kissed the man’s forehead and thanked him for his time, then held her parents’ hands and proceeded down the street.

Soon they came to a waif of a boy, standing at the steps of a bank, a sign in hand stating that he was hungry and needed assistance. Passerby went in and out of the bank, the boy virtually invisible to them, so busy they were with their own lives.

Hope asked her father to go across the street to a little café and buy some warm food for her new friend. While her father did that, Hope sat next to the boy, held his hand, and sang:

“When you're down and out
When you're on the street
When evening falls so hard, I will comfort you

I'll take your part
Oh, when darkness comes
And pain is all around

Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down” (Bridge Over Troubled Water)

Hope’s father delivered the food, Hope delivered herself, and the day continued while the wizards of commerce continued in ignorant bliss.

Soon Hope came to a long line of people, all standing outside an office building. Some were dressed in fine clothes, while others were in hand-me-downs in various states of disrepair.

There was little conversation from the people in the line. Most had glassy eyes and spoke little, shuffling forward as the line moved towards the front door of the Employment Office. As soon as one person was allowed to enter the office, three more took his/her place at the end of the line, so great was unemployment in that area.

Hope moved to the front of the line then turned to face those silently waiting. She spread her arms, smiled, and sang:

“I can see clearly now, the rain is gone,
I can see all obstacles in my way
Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind
It’s gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright)
Sun-Shiny day.

I think I can make it now, the pain is gone
All of the bad feelings have disappeared
Here is the rainbow I’ve been prayin?for
It’s gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright)
Sun-Shiny day.” (I Can See Clearly Now)

Did they all find jobs that day? No! In truth, few were hired, but they all returned the next day strengthened by their meeting with Hope.

Finally that day, Hope came upon a massive brick building. Moss and ivy-covered the front, several chimneys sprouted from its roof, and in some inexplicable way, sadness engulfed the structure. Hanging over the front door was a large sign….Island of Hope….and several little children were standing on the steps that led into the orphanage.

Hope led her parents to the children, and pulling one small girl to her, she asked her to go inside and tell all the children to come out for a moment. Soon, Hope was surrounded by children of various ages, some very small, some in their teen years, all curious about the purpose of Hope’s visit.

When the building was emptied and all the children were with Hope, she spread her arms and rose in the air, finally hovering ten feet above them. Mouths dropped open and a collective gasp was heard, but the gasp was drowned out by the sweet voice of Hope:

“I used to think that I could not go on
And life was nothing but an awful song
But now I know the meaning of true love
I'm leaning on the everlasting arms

If I can see it, then I can do it
If I just believe it, there's nothing to it

I believe I can fly
I believe I can touch the sky
I think about it every night and day
Spread my wings and fly away

I believe I can soar
I see me running through that open door
I believe I can fly, I believe I can fly
I believe I can fly.” (I Believe I Can Fly)

She then slowly drifted back to ground and addressed them.

“Hope is never absent as long as it is in your hearts. You must believe. You must refuse to surrender. No matter the past years of lovelessness. No matter the lonely days when it seems that no one cares about you. No matter the lack of friends and true love. No matter the endless tears you have cried.

“There will always be Hope, and I will be there to keep you warm. I will be there to dry your eyes. I will be there to give you strength. Just as I soared before you, Hope will always soar where there are true believers.

“Believe in me as I do you.”

Again, my thanks to those who began this musical challenge. As Maria stated in one of her articles:

“This year my friend Jo_Goldsmith11took it upon herself to initiate theLight2Love Project Good Words.

As Jo explained: "When I was growing up for the most part my mother told us 'if you can't say something nice, then don't say anything at all...! It's not polite and it shows you are uneducated if you can't say something without hurting someone deliberately!'

These things are not productive and don't make any sense. I make a commitment to my self that in 2014 and beyond, I will use good words and not be part of the hate and the behavior of uneducated people."

So for the year 2014, Jo pledged to use good words and publish articles used to empower, encourage, support and defend those who need to be shown love.”

It was an honor to add my character Hope to this wonderful tradition.

Stay tuned. Next week, two of my favorite characters come together…Hope Meets Mercy!

2014 William D. Holland (aka billybuc)

The beginning of this series can be found here:

http://billybuc.hubpages.com/hub/A-Child-Named-Hope-A-Moment-with-Bill-Reflection