For those of you planning a trip to New York City, you must take in the High Line, New York City’s most creative and interesting park, built on the old elevated tracks on the west side of downtown Manhattan. The High Line spans more than twenty blocks and eventually will end at 34th Street. Last Sunday we came upon this art installation at the bottom of one of the High Line’s many entrances/exits.
On each of the little red and yellow tags people had written what they hoped for. One said, “Cure Ann of her cancer” another said, “I hope I will love Miquel forever”, and still another read, “Please make Mom get better”.
Love and health were the most popular “hopes”. I would have written one of my own had I’d thought to bring a pen with me – Let Emma live an independent, happy life, filled with loving relationships. I guess the thing about hope is it keeps us moving forward. Hope allows us to get through tough times. I am reminded of the prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi: “Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith, where there is despair, hope…” Regardless of ones beliefs, these words have given solace to a great many, myself included.
For more on Emma and her journey through a childhood of autism, go to: www.EmmasHopeBook.com
Emma's Hope Book 