It is currently said that hope goes with youth, and lends to youth its wings of a butterfly; but I fancy that hope is the last gift given to man, and the only gift not given to youth. Youth is pre-emininently the period in which a man can be lyric, fanatical, poetic; but youth is the period in which man can be hopeless. The end of every episode is the end of the world. But the power of hoping through everything, the knowledge that the soul survives its adventures, that great inspiration comes to the middle-aged: God has kept that good wine until now. It is from the backs of the elderly gentlemen that the wings of the butterfly should burst.
Charles Dickens: Last of the Great Men
Lifeonthecutoff's Blog 
What a special message for the first Sunday in Advent. Sometimes it seems the world is upside down.
My favorite poem for hope is the one from Emily Dickinson:
Hope is the thing with feathers-
That perches in the soul-
And sings the tune without the words-
And never stops – at all.
As long as most of us don’t give up, there is cause to believe that times can be more peaceful. That requires faith as well.
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One of my most favorite of Emily Dickinson’s lines, Marilyn: “Hope is the thing with feathers-“. Perfect poem, isn’t it? Thanks so much for bringing it here today, the first Sunday of Advent. It does seem the world is upside down at times, but the Advent season always gives me pause for hope and faith as well. I love your comment.
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Dickens was very wise. I like that quote. Lovely pictures of your family in recent posts, too.
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How nice to see you today, Nicola. I thought the same about the Dickens’ quote. Thank you. It is fun to share such family treasures. Hope all is well with you.
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Another beautiful post.
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Thank you, Janet.
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The words from Dickens are new to me – very thought-provoking. I love the Emily Dickinson poem as well. I had to laugh at the snow flakes falling across my screen while the sun shines brightly outside on our first day of summer! Hope you are snug and warm.
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Actually, they were new to me until this morning as well, Juliet. It was part of an Advent devotional I have begun reading. I felt moved by it and pondered it for quite awhile, deciding to share it with all of you.
Oh, how funny that is, seeing “snow” on your first day of summer. 🙂 I hope your weather is starting to warm up now. We are warm and snug here, although it is quite cold today.
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What a wise theory and so beautifully expressed!
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I thought so, too, Janet. Really made me think today. 🙂
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I love these words. I’d never read them before.
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They were new to me as well, Nan – and I wanted to share them. Glad you were able to see them. 😉
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