The following is one of my pieces that came from my writing circle at our last meeting.....

November Dialogue with Hope

Hope, in the midst of dark days of November, where do I find you?

You find me in the bright red poppy, pinned on the lapel of the grey haired veteran, stooped over standing in the cold wind of the ceremony of remembrance at the downtown cenotaph.

You find me in the soft brown eyes of the teen cadet, in her blues with peaked cap, ramrod position and salute as the wreaths are laid at this same ceremony.
 
Where else in this bleak November weather with dried crumpled leaves, bitter winds on barren, broken trees, dull overcast gray of this in- between season?

You find me in sunny blue Edmonton skies, after the first snow fall, when the wet, fluffy white coats the branches, where summer green once lingered and the ravine becomes a magic fairyland of delicate blacks and white and the first ice pans begin to form gathering crystalline in the North Saskatchewan River.

You find me in the promise of the changing seasons, the peacefulness of a land covered, sleeping and waiting.

Where else in November I ask?

You find me burning bright in the flame of the first Advent candle lit by the smallest child in the church congregation.

Advent “ to come “ hope, I am found in the waiting of promises to be fulfilled in the Christ Child.

November, for me personally. is a month of remembrances of births, deaths and anniversaries: birth of my first son and first grandchild; but also memory of my parents’ 25th anniversary and losses of a grandfather at 97 and a father at age 50. It has been 30 years since that northern plane crash that took Dad and three other lives on their departure from High Level.

Where is the hope in these?

Now I also face the illness and death of a close friend.

Hope, where are you?

In your heart, my dear, in all that you hold dear and give to others. His hope is greater than yours. Rest in Him, as the word says, “ I know whom I have believeth and am convinced that He is able”.