"Hope"

    If you can look at the sunset and smile, 
 then you still have hope. 
 
    If you can find beauty in the colors 
   of a small flower, 
 then you still have hope. 
   
    If you can find pleasure 
 in the movement of a butterfly, 
    then you still have hope. 
   
    If the smile of a child 
   can still warm your heart, 
 then you still have hope. 
   
    If you can see the 
   good in other people, 
 then you still have hope. 
   
    If the rain breaking on a roof top 
 can still lull you to sleep, 
   then you still have hope. 
   
    If the sight of a rainbow still 
 makes you stop and stare in  wonder, 
 then you still have hope. 
   
    If the soft fur of a favored pet still 
 feels pleasant under your fingertips, 
 then you still have hope. 
  
    If you meet new people with 
   a trace of excitement and optimism, 
 then you still have hope. 
   
    If you give people 
 the benefit of a doubt, 
 then you still have hope. 
   
    If you still offer your hand in friendship 
 to others that  have touched your life, 
 then you still have hope. 
   
    If receiving an unexpected card or letter 
 still brings a  pleasant surprise, 
 then you still have hope. 
   
    If the suffering of others still fills you 
   with pain and  frustration, 
 then you still have hope. 
   
    If you refuse to let a friendship die, 
 or accept that it must end, 
 then you still have hope. 
   
    If you look forward to a time or place 
   of quiet and  reflection, 
 then you still have hope. 
  
    If you still buy the ornaments, put up 
   the Christmas tree or  cook the turkey, 
 then you still have hope.  
 
    If you still watch love stories or 
   want the endings to be  happy, 
   then you still have hope. 
   
    If you can look 
   to the past and smile, 
 then you still have hope. 
   
    If, when faced with the bad, 
   when told everything is futile, 
    you can still look up and 
 end the conversation with the 
 phrase.... 
 "yeah....BUT.." 
   then you still have hope. 
 
 Author Unknown