the HOPE chronicles blog

As shown in the 2006 movie The Pursuit of Happyness—based on the life of Chris Gardner—the central character had a chance encounter with a man stepping out of a red Ferrari on Wall Street. Whether true or exaggerated for dramatic effect, Gardner (played by Will Smith) eyed the car in awe. He wasn’t in the best financial…

During one of many shopping excursions with my late husband, he would hold doors open for others. Without missing a beat, each person would casually glide in the door as if his holding it for them was an expectation, not a courtesy.   Not one thank you. After the second time it happened I was irritated. …

In celebration of the upcoming Resurrection Sunday, this month’s blog will be a lesson on the latest German word to make its way into the American lexicon. Let’s say it together: Schadenfreude. Don’t forget to enunciate! A little slower this time: Shaa-duhn-froy-duh. According to Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary the word is defined as “enjoyment obtained from the trouble of others.”…