“Beginnings are scary, endings are usually sad, but it is the middle that counts the most. You need to remember that when you find yourself at the beginning. Just give hope a chance to float up.”

Birdee Pruitt

One of my very favorite quotes from a movie that is a must watch, Hope Floats. The kids went back to school virtually and the world was turned upside down. We made it didn’t we? We survived the long days at home with kids staring at screens and teachers doing everything in their power to make it a meaningful experience. Looking back, I feel thankful to be home with the kids. It wasn’t easy, but I had HOPE in the medical community to find a way to get us back to our new normal.

In the fall of 2020, we somehow talked my husband into getting a puppy. A best friend of mine went to a horse farm with me to pick the puppy out. She knew immediately which one was going home with us. I surprised the kids and Harry gave us HOPE that things would be okay. He brought SO MUCH JOY into our home. We soon after got a sister for Harry named Honey. Two puppies really made things crazy around here.

Then tragedy hit our family. We lost someone to suicide. Shortly after the funeral, all five of us in our home tested positive for Covid. This was pre vaccine. The kids, thankfully, didn’t have many symptoms. Dave and I had a rough time for at the very least, two weeks. Did you forget the part of the story that we got the second puppy the day before I tested positive? Wild times!

The definition of HOPE is an optimistic state of mind that is based on an expectation of positive outcomes with respect to events and circumstances in one’s life or the world at large.

Our puppies reminded us of unconditional love and HOPE. Our community working together during the shut down of Covid also strengthened my faith in humanity.

As I write about the character trait of HOPE today, let’s give you the chance to read a book in your home that illustrates the same message. Raja’s Pet Camel, published by Cardinal Rule Press and written by Anita Amin is a story about empathy and perseverance taking center stage in this sweet picture book about a boy’s love for his (unusual) pet.

Use the code HOPE to order your softcover or hardcover copy today!

PS Reply now and tell me a moment of HOPE you experienced during the pandemic.

PPS We had our March is Reading Month panel this week where published authors gave HOPE to aspiring writers and classrooms nationwide. What’s next from CRP offerings? Find out below!

This Could Be You will come out on April 1st. We are offering you the chance to meet the author in person here in Michigan at the Impression 5 Science Center for kids on April 2nd from 11-2. OR hear the author read her book for the first time, virtually on April 1st.