"You May Say I'm A Dream, But I'm Not The Only One."

Title: John Lennon - "Imagine"

It's been a long week but thank God it is Friday! Woot woot!

Somedays when I listen to the news or hear stories, it is hard not to think our world is full of hate and sadness and cruelty. Sometimes it is hard to remember that even with all those horrible things happening, there are still good people out there.

When I need help remembering that I read Gives Me Hope or Love Gives Me Hope. These sites are set up a lot like MLIA. Reading through some of the amazing things people do not only makes me teary eyes (grab a tissue!) but reminds me that there is still goodness in people.

Here is a few I grabbed off the site that really got me. Enjoy & Happy Friday!!

Gives Me Hope #29794

22 years ago, a 16 year old girl was pregnant with a baby of rape. Understanding the circumstances, her parents told her to abort or be disowned. Her best friend - her 18 year old neighbor - although he was not the father, stepped into the father figures shoes. They got married 2 years later. Mom and dad, your love for me and each other GMH.

Gives Me Hope #30407

After my Uncle died, my Aunt had to sell her house to get by. While showing it, a Vietnamese woman saw her surname and asked if she was related to a certain General. When my Aunt said yes, the woman began to cry; that General had personally sheltered her family during the Vietnam War. This woman is now supporting my Aunt until she gets a job. GMH.

Gives Me Hope #30725

When I was four, my doctor told my parents to put me in a learning disabilities school because I would never recover from the radiation therapy I had undergone to treat my leukemia. I got accepted to Yale yesterday. How much my parents believe in me GMH.

Gives Me Hope #30660

A couple months ago, my little brother came home from his first day in kindergarten. When I asked him about his class, he said "there's a girl in my class, and she's so pretty!" The girl he was talking about is a bald 5 year old with leukemia. His unconditional love GMH.

Gives Me Hope #30548

Yesterday while I was working, a father with his daughter came in with two bags of toys. He told me they had just come from her 6th birthday party, and I assumed they had a bunch of returns. The girl then proceeded to tell me that instead of getting gifts, she asked all her friends to bring presents to donate to our toy drive. GMH.

Gives Me Hope #28458

Over the summer, this 6-year-old (and quite effeminate) boy attending the summer camp I worked at was telling me about his favourite hot pink sandals that he wears, given to him by his father. A father who can accept his little boy for who he is GMH

Gives Me Hope #32263

Today, I was in the feminine-products aisle when a middle-aged man started asking me what brand I liked to use and which were the most effective, etc. It turns out that he is a single father to a preteen girl with Down Syndrome, and he was trying to find out which products work the best for his little girl. Caring, loving fathers GMH.

Gives Me Hope #32313

A few years ago, we were having financial difficulties. My big brother and I were told not to expect Christmas presents. When I woke up Christmas morning, I found presents for me under the tree. My brother had wrapped up his favorite toys so I would have Christmas presents. Brothers like Jake GMH.

Gives Me Hope #33036

I'd just been treated for cancer, and had been wearing a wig for the last couple of years. I recently got a new boyfriend and he didn't know about my condition. One day he came into my apartment while I wasn't wearing my wig. He told me that I was more beautiful than he could ever imagine. He truly GMH.

Gives Me Hope #32693

Today I remembered GMHs about people writing notes saying, "Smile. You are beautiful" in Eating Disorder recovery books. I decided to do the same at my local bookstore. A four year old boy saw what I was doing and helped me make notes for more than 50 books. He GMH.

Gives Me Hope #34265

I was at the mall the other day when I saw an old couple sitting together. The man looked over at the woman and said, "Jane, we did it. We grew old together." The look in her eyes GMH.