HOPE

I hope that I will always be for each person what he or she needs me to be.
I hope that each person's death will diminish me, but that fear of my own will never diminish my joy of life.
I hope that my love for those whom I like will never lessen my love for those whom I do not.
I hope that another person's love for me will never be a measure of my love for him or her.
I hope that everybody will accept me as I am, but that I never will.
I hope that I will always ask for forgiveness from others,but will never need to be asked for my own . . .
I hope that I will always recognize my limitations, but that I will construct none.
I hope that loving will always be my goal,but that love will never be my idol.
I hope that everyone will always have hope.

Henri Nouwen