This week, our challenge host, Patti, asks us to think about hope and what makes us hopeful. She writes, “What makes you hopeful? Is it a place, a person, or a beautiful creation? Is it art, music, poetry?” You can read her entire challenge post here. I’ve twisted the theme in some cases, focusing on the hopeful nature of the image rather than whether it makes me hopeful in some way. 🙂
My first photo is of a lamp known as the Three Sisters. One theory behind the name is that three sisters waited on that spot, hoping their husbands would return safely from the sea. You can read the entire story of the legend surrounding this lamp from an earlier post of mine here.
In 1970, the world watched and waited, hopeful that the three astronauts aboard Apollo 13, damaged by an explosion, would return safely to Earth. The mission control team in Houston needed to figure out how to stretch the supply of oxygen designed to accommodate two men for two days so that the three men in the capsule could survive for four days. The plan developed on the fly worked, and millions watched the astronauts return safely to Earth on television.
On a visit to Winnipeg, Canada, only a few hours’ drive from our home in Fargo, we visited the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. The museum focuses on the rights of all human beings, including being free and equal in dignity and rights. In static and interactive formats, some are permanent, while others focus on current human rights issues. Stories such as Rohingya Women’s Call for Justice and the Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda were examples during our visit. I am hopeful that shining the light of publicity on atrocities can help reduce human suffering worldwide.
We spent almost a decade on our winter trips to Phoenix before discovering the Japanese Friendship Garden in Phoenix. Their mission to provide a beautiful place of serenity, peace, education, and cultural engagement is reflected in the garden. The partnership of the sister cities of Phoenix and Himeji, Japan, created this beautiful venue that brings me hope for more serene and beautiful international projects.
Near Dunseith, North Dakota, a joint project on the United States/Canadian border demonstrates the goodwill that has existed for decades between the two countries with the longest international border. The border runs 5525 miles (8893 km). According to the garden’s website here, Manitoba donated 1451 acres, and North Dakota purchased and donated 888 acres along the border. The garden opened during the Great Depression, and even with World War II beginning only a few years later, the International Peace Garden persevered. Since my first visit, I have considered the garden a beacon of hope that international friendships can still exist and thrive.
After well over 100 years of construction in Barcelona, the cathedral designed by Gaudi is estimated to be completed in 2026. I hope to live to hear it was finished, even if I don’t see it completed in person.
As we left New York’s cruise terminal and sailed down the Hudson toward the ocean, we passed Lady Liberty. She has undoubtedly given hope to many people who came to a new country to begin a new life. Since I first learned about the gift from France in school, I have considered her a beacon of hope for those who wish to start a new life free of oppression.
That’s my response to Patti’s challenge. I’ve posted all of these images on my Flickr site for those who like to pixel-peep. You can view all of these images in 2K HD here. Last week, Tina challenged us to be young again, at least in spirit. The responses were full of youthful exuberance. Ann-Christine will host the challenge next week. Be sure to follow her here so you don’t miss it. If you’d like to join the challenge but aren’t sure how to get started, check out this guide.
John Steiner
Journeys with Johnbo 
Wonderful take on the challenge, John. I don’t think you’ve twisted the theme in any way, I like the hopeful nature of your stories. Great to see you highlighting Human Rights too.
Thanks, Sofia! I completely changed several photos as I got different ideas from reading other responses. Probably the biggest changes in images I’ve ever done after I “thought” I was done with a response. >grin<
Interesting!
That’s a great illustration of hopefulness, John.
I thought that photo really spoke to this week’s theme!
My goodnes, you’ve crammed lots of ideas about hope into a single post John. Great stuff.
Great interpretations of the theme John. I especially like the Japanese Friendship Garden and the International Peace Garden as beacons of hope 🙂
Wonderful twist on the challenge John. These are great examples of human works that do bring hope. Hopefully, we will continue to find hope, peace, and connection.
Thanks! We can always keep a positive attitude as time passes. We can celebrate the successes.
The Japanese Friendship Garden is certainly an amazing wonder
The garden is a beautiful place to visit and simply enjoy the serenity in the bustle of downtown Phoenix, Arizona.
I love your vision on the challenge, John, The legend about the three sisters is interesting, and I remember so well the Apollo 13 landing. I don’t remember the oxygen part as I was young, but I remember it being such a big deal and watching it in school. A great add to the challenge. The Friendship Garden was a great add as it truly offers a sense of peace, and hope, in a busy city. And I smiled at the Statue of Liberty photo. Probably one of the most symbolic statures reminding us of hope. Very nice, John.
Thanks, Donna. At first I wondered what I might include, but as I thought about it, the images came to mind.
This was indeed an interesting approach to the challenge, John. I enjoyed reading the stories and marveling at the photos. The section about the Canadian Museum of Human Rights was my absolute favorite. Great job!
Thanks, Egidio! For some reason, I found your comment in my SPAM folder. Not sure why, but I’m glad I saw it there.
Enduring symbols of hope! If we each endeavour to be better today than we were yesterday just imagine how life on this planet will be changed for the better!
Indeed!
This is a wonderful post, John! So thoughtful, so hopeful. You’ve chosen to highlight wonderful places/statues/etc. that really have been tangible symbols of hope in our world. Many thanks for sharing these wonderful examples of hope.
Thanks, Patti!
Beautiful images John and full of hope–not only for you, but for everyone!
Thanks, Anne!
😊
Wh a creative post this week John. I loved your reminder of Apollo 13, and am happy to see there is at least an estimate of the completion of Gaudi’s cathedral. Must admit I was not a fan when we saw it.
Thanks, Tina! I think that Gaudi is an alternate spelling for the design. >grin<
A hopeful post, John, and the Canadian Museum of Human Rights was my favourite. I hope(!) to live and visit the complete Cathedral in 2026!
When we were there last year, we were too late to order tickets, so we didn’t get to go inside. If we get back to Barcelona after the completion, we will probably check it out. As I implied in my response to Tina, I think the design is truly over-the-top. Still, they don’t make cathedral designs anything like they used to.
The Japanese garden looks beautiful, John. Nice clouds in the shot too.
It is such a relaxing place. I can sit there for hours.