DON’T HOPE,…DECIDE!   95 comments

Posted at 10:19 am in Motivational stories

While waiting to pick up a friend at the airport in Portland, Oregon, I had one of those life-changing experiences that you hear other people talk about — the kind that sneaks up on you unexpectedly. This one occurred a mere two feet away from me.

Straining to locate my friend among the passengers deplaning through the jet way, I noticed a man coming toward me carrying two light bags. He stopped right next to me to greet his family.

First he motioned to his youngest son (maybe six years old) as he laid down his bags. They gave each other a long, loving hug. As they separated enough to look in each other’s face, I heard the father say, “It’s so good to see you, son. I missed you so much!” His son smiled somewhat shyly, averted his eyes and replied softly, “Me, too, Dad!”

Then the man stood up, gazed in the eyes of his oldest son (maybe nine or ten) and while cupping his son’s face in his hands said, “You’re already quite the young man. I love you very much, Zach!” They too hugged a most loving, tender hug.

While this was happening, a baby girl (perhaps one or one-and-a-half) was squirming excitedly in her mother’s arms, never once taking her little eyes off the wonderful sight of her returning father. The man said, “Hi, baby girl!” as he gently took the child from her mother. He quickly kissed her face all over and then held her close to his chest while rocking her from side to side. The little girl instantly relaxed and simply laid her head on his shoulder, motionless in pure contentment.

After several moments, he handed his daughter to his oldest son and declared, “I’ve saved the best for last!” and proceeded to give his wife the longest, most passionate kiss I ever remember seeing. He gazed into her eyes for several seconds and then silently mouthed. “I love you so much!” They stared at each other’s eyes, beaming big smiles at one another, while holding both hands.

For an instant they reminded me of newlyweds, but I knew by the age of their kids that they couldn’t possibly be. I puzzled about it for a moment then realized how totally engrossed I was in the wonderful display of unconditional love not more than an arm’s length away from me. I suddenly felt uncomfortable, as if I was invading something sacred, but was amazed to hear my own voice nervously ask, “Wow! How long have you two been married?

“Been together fourteen years total, married twelve of those.” he replied, without breaking his gaze from his lovely wife’s face. “Well then, how long have you been away?” I asked. The man finally turned and looked at me, still beaming his joyous smile. “Two whole days!”

Two days? I was stunned. By the intensity of the greeting, I had assumed he’d been gone for at least several weeks – if not months. I know my expression betrayed me.

I said almost offhandedly, hoping to end my intrusion with some semblance of grace (and to get back to searching for my friend), “I hope my marriage is still that passionate after twelve years!”

The man suddenly stopped smiling.

He looked me straight in the eye, and with forcefulness that burned right into my soul, he told me something that left me a different person. He told me, “Don’t hope, friend… decide!” Then he flashed me his wonderful smile again, shook my hand and said, “God bless!”

- By Michael D. Hargrove and Bottom Line Underwriters, Inc.
Copyright 1997

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Story Posted by Stephen on September 26th, 2008

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95 Responses to: DON’T HOPE,…DECIDE!

  1. M@M -- 17 Feb 09 at 1:10 am

     

    Nice story,just we should learn how to express our love,it not depends on time…

  2. ndoumah victor -- 2 Apr 09 at 1:38 pm

     

    don’t sit day dreaming, get up and work. Eh!, but do the right one!

  3. gigsta -- 25 Jun 09 at 3:35 am

     

    What a nice story!!! keep it up!!

  4. Deashana -- 20 Sep 09 at 5:15 am

     

    What a cool story……………………

  5. Deashana pillay -- 20 Sep 09 at 5:17 am

     

    Awsome. Gives us more moral values …………

  6. niTin -- 12 Oct 09 at 7:43 am

     

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~A Real Good Story. It teached us something very important about Love!! Express it…~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  7. hala -- 7 Nov 09 at 7:32 am

     

    oh god >>> how a beautiful story it touched me a lot ….. what a great love
    if we decide to live a lovely life we will do it but the hard matter is that the couple together shoud decide that!

  8. csunnn -- 27 Nov 09 at 6:13 pm

     

    This is exactly the relationship that I choose to have. baby, we’ll make this work

  9. Dissef -- 14 Jan 10 at 5:06 am

     

    It’s fantastic. besides the theme the way that such an important idea has been expressed is noticeable.

  10. pepsi -- 26 Jan 10 at 8:50 am

     

    well, not everything will go the way we planned. we may decide to do sth, but that sth may turn out to be sth else. however, it’s good if we make decision to do sth our best, regardless of what the outcome would be.

  11. Purva -- 6 Feb 10 at 10:27 am

     

    The story is so sweet. It left me a wave of surprise. Each moment is precious with our family-a group of people who are always with us and share joy and sorrow.

  12. KriaHzY -- 7 Jul 10 at 8:24 am

     

    a CooL,Nice,sweeT,BeauTiFuL,aweSoMe,FanTasTic anD GooD sToRy…. =D

  13. radhe -- 13 Aug 10 at 11:02 pm

     

    so then, I have decided that me too will have such a passionate love.

  14. subhasmita satapathys -- 22 Sep 10 at 9:54 am

     

    very nice story….actually the man loved his wife very much as he expressed his love in the last after his children….this is what is called belongingness……love for his wife is true….

  15. Aamir khan. -- 6 Oct 10 at 1:44 pm

     

    Thats quit good specially the expression,of girl child.Writer feel it and we feel it too…

  16. Nammy -- 14 Nov 10 at 1:54 am

     

    I decide and not hope that this will happen in my life too..such a real love.

  17. wins -- 16 Nov 10 at 12:31 am

     

    thankz for this cool stories.. =)

  18. manu -- 18 Nov 10 at 6:52 am

     

    reallyyyyyyyy nice

  19. ANKITA -- 28 Nov 10 at 5:23 am

     

    veryyyyyyyy nice!!!!!

  20. antony -- 2 Dec 10 at 2:33 am

     

    don’t hope, …….decide ; thanks to make me feel the past….

  21. Bhargavi -- 7 Dec 10 at 1:31 pm

     

    Awesome story. I have DECIDED…..

  22. braktor -- 9 Dec 10 at 9:12 am

     

    I decide to hope, FAIL XD. No hope is for people that can’t make a choice!

  23. Sriveni -- 13 Dec 10 at 10:21 am

     

    I thought if we hope then the work is half done,,,,,,,,,, after reading this story it is clear that we should not only hope but should decide……….

  24. Thamja -- 25 Jan 11 at 11:38 pm

     

    wonderful!

  25. Vincent Paul -- 31 Jan 11 at 6:37 pm

     

    Learn to sit back and think about the past(wow)

  26. victoria -- 25 Feb 11 at 4:43 am

     

    It sounds like an islland of happiness among our distroying world! I wish everyone had such a wonderful family life!

  27. Vijay -- 25 Mar 11 at 12:30 pm

     

    Awsome story..its really touching..i have decided

  28. sneha -- 28 Mar 11 at 3:27 am

     

    Loved it….. I am sure I’ll get same experience… :) :)
    damn sure about it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  29. lily -- 10 Apr 11 at 9:30 pm

     

    perfect’s the word I’d use!

  30. Amit -- 14 Apr 11 at 7:08 am

     

    I liked the story, very beautiful. “Dont hope…..just decide.”!

  31. satish -- 18 Apr 11 at 11:43 am

     

    MY FAMILY IS AWAY AT THE MOMENT. LE’ME SEE WHAT I HAVE LEARNT TODAY.

  32. khader -- 20 Apr 11 at 9:47 am

     

    hmm… it is just awesome….. I don’t have the words to describe but I really like the story……

    specially the TITLE……. Dont hope…just decide……

  33. jeyaraj -- 23 Apr 11 at 12:22 am

     

    I just cry and realise the true love. Very good situation indeed.

    Thank you.

  34. Naresh -- 25 Apr 11 at 11:51 pm

     

    Soul awakening story….really inspirational.

  35. MOHIT -- 1 May 11 at 6:24 am

     

    a very amazing story and beautifully told..

  36. Robin -- 6 May 11 at 9:23 am

     

    It was good. I am going to meet my mom after 2 years and now i really know the importance of family.

  37. priyanka -- 11 May 11 at 1:38 pm

     

    It’s just great! Very moving and inspirational.

  38. aditi -- 18 May 11 at 10:10 am

     

    wowww………really nice

  39. swathi -- 15 Jun 11 at 10:58 pm

     

    It’s the last sentence always which gives you the total feel and you were wonderful in giving it.. Really good one..

  40. Sneha Tomar -- 18 Jun 11 at 9:32 am

     

    It is a great story, seriously loved it.

  41. Monika -- 6 Jul 11 at 10:27 am

     

    Veryyyyyyyyyyyy nice story….loved it……

  42. Sukanya -- 8 Jul 11 at 7:05 am

     

    Nice story, I really enjoyed it with the description of love.

  43. hadhiya -- 9 Jul 11 at 6:47 am

     

    just loved it…………….

  44. Jack -- 20 Jul 11 at 11:34 am

     

    Hope after hardwork, never fails.

  45. mai -- 26 Jul 11 at 12:43 am

     

    I’m someone who loves fairytale, and hoping to meet my prince and I would live with him happily ever after.,,, how fool I am, now I know that if I wanted happiness i should just not hope but as well as decide how to acquire such happiness.

  46. Ali -- 31 Jul 11 at 3:15 pm

     

    Only hope is waste of time while not struggling to achieve it, so it’s a nice story to bring hope to reality.

  47. Ben -- 17 Aug 11 at 2:19 pm

     

    I am very touched by this story, but i am not such a good reader so i could not understand what did he mean by the last words – don’t hope,friend …decide – can pls somebody help me understand what did he mean by that

  48. Gaurav_Luthra -- 20 Aug 11 at 9:46 am

     

    wow…..! I am stunned and shocked, Really yar!

  49. Charles Umeh -- 25 Aug 11 at 11:15 pm

     

    An expression of the inner you without being scared of the way its perceived. Is the height of it. Beautiful~

  50. Rise -- 16 Sep 11 at 3:03 pm

     

    To hope is to be disappointed, it gets you nowhere, only leaves more worry and stress. To act and decide is the best thing to do, if you decide to try your best at everything you do with full determination and commitment is the best way to win.

    I find to have hope is not to have full confidence in your abilities, you aren’t confident you will succeed.

  51. Odwera -- 18 Sep 11 at 9:47 am

     

    wonderful story

  52. Jo -- 19 Sep 11 at 2:49 am

     

    Very touchy…. such love is difficult to find these days…

  53. Santosh -- 15 Oct 11 at 4:35 am

     

    Fantastic inspirational story…this shows that love never dies infact it increases with the passage of time…..

  54. Tek Chand Batra -- 16 Oct 11 at 5:36 am

     

    I have decided…

  55. nikhat -- 17 Oct 11 at 1:33 am

     

    Such a nice story…

  56. Johnnedel Medriano -- 21 Oct 11 at 9:01 am

     

    Fabulous! ! ! What a great moral. . . I’ve learned my lesson for today. . I am actually in a state of great nervousness the moment I am reading this because this would be the day I am going to be taking in calls in my current job. I am a new hire here and so It is quite stressful. But because of this message, not related to love though, but I’ve made up my mind that I am going to give my best to the calls I am going to be taking in today, I am not just going to hope. . I have made up my mind. . I have to make it. :)

  57. Nancy -- 28 Oct 11 at 7:13 am

     

    I have decided here and now to keep the light of love aglow in my marriage no matter how years we have lived together. May God give me the grace…AMEN

  58. Sarah R. -- 3 Nov 11 at 5:52 am

     

    Utterly Amazing! I’ve reconsidered & decided :)

    Thanks for sharing.
    Be blessed.

  59. Santos. -- 4 Nov 11 at 3:32 am

     

    Thanks for this great story . From now i have just decided

  60. Jigyasa -- 4 Nov 11 at 3:56 am

     

    Wowowow..!!! It is like a fresh air for a relationship seeing hardships…

  61. Bijesh -- 18 Nov 11 at 5:35 am

     

    Good one, really changed the thinking………….

  62. Brenda E~ -- 20 Nov 11 at 3:17 am

     

    ”Don’t hope, friend……decide!” This sentence touched me…..
    GREAT story!

  63. Abu Bashar -- 30 Nov 11 at 5:30 am

     

    Great story, enjoyed inspired and motivated while reading…..

  64. Andleeb -- 30 Nov 11 at 10:37 am

     

    wow great story.. I have decided too :D

  65. Saywhat -- 21 Dec 11 at 6:16 am

     

    Very nice story, true too.

  66. Sana -- 22 Dec 11 at 9:25 am

     

    Whoa…!!!!!!! I just kept smiling….reading this, it’s really really….nice.. I just loved it !!!!!!

  67. Prasad Jachak -- 8 Jan 12 at 12:03 pm

     

    Really nice one…….wow…

  68. Gray -- 11 Jan 12 at 11:56 am

     

    I like the moral of this story.. thank you for sharing..

  69. Seerat -- 12 Jan 12 at 6:06 am

     

    I love it. It is totally true and the story has the meaningful meaning.

  70. Criss Angel -- 23 Jan 12 at 10:20 am

     

    Well honestly speaking i din find the story inspiring although the content was gud.

  71. Arti Sunar -- 24 Jan 12 at 7:15 am

     

    Awesome story, the moral of it is really heart touching. Love it.

  72. YUSUF -- 31 Jan 12 at 5:36 pm

     

    It is better to take a wrong decision than to hope for what can never be realised

  73. Ahmadu Ayuba -- 2 Feb 12 at 10:38 am

     

    Hmm… Though I’m not married yet, I’m jealous of this love. I have now decided to be like him when I’m married.

  74. Nainam -- 2 Feb 12 at 12:13 pm

     

    Nice one

  75. Victor -- 6 Feb 12 at 6:12 pm

     

    How often we blame things and most time conclude on hope when NOW requires that we decides. The hope we long for is the little decisions of today. I love this story it is… sweet

  76. Obinna -- 7 Feb 12 at 5:38 am

     

    What a soul saving story. This is a wonderful one, it can bring a dying love back to life. I love it

  77. Obinna -- 7 Feb 12 at 8:18 am

     

    I like this story is rely motivating and can build up too

  78. Mike Cimon -- 12 Feb 12 at 2:50 pm

     

    Keep me informed. I love the piece.

  79. Chandra shekar -- 17 Feb 12 at 3:58 am

     

    Superb………………………………………….

  80. Uday Patel -- 24 Feb 12 at 12:21 am

     

    Really superb story.

  81. Baba Salisu -- 26 Feb 12 at 12:49 pm

     

    Good stories. Love is life.

  82. Balusamy -- 8 Mar 12 at 4:37 am

     

    Is there any such in real life? or only in stories? Really thought provoking. The 4 worded sentence, “Don’t hope, friend….Decide” is excellently built.

  83. Bola -- 23 Mar 12 at 9:33 am

     

    I decide today that my marriage will be like that or more…

  84. Varsha -- 31 Mar 12 at 2:52 am

     

    WOW!!! Really, at times we realize that somethings need to be decided not hoped…..

  85. Cazeil -- 2 Apr 12 at 6:45 am

     

    Thanks for this inspiring story.. ^_^ I’m eager to share this to my hubby..

  86. Gregory -- 17 Apr 12 at 9:49 pm

     

    Wow! Now that’s what you call love!

  87. Solomon Onokere -- 18 Apr 12 at 2:08 am

     

    Wow, can’t wait to start practicing this in my life.

  88. Parampreet Kaur -- 19 Apr 12 at 9:41 am

     

    Wowww, what a beautiful and sweet story. I also have decided to love my beloved throughout my whole life.

  89. Shap36 -- 22 Apr 12 at 2:27 pm

     

    It’s really an inspiring story.

  90. Janz -- 24 Apr 12 at 2:29 am

     

    I really love this story which has given me tips to value my love… I begin to mis him not only minutes but seconds. Thanks… I am looking for the same ending with my baby.

  91. Ananya -- 30 Apr 12 at 1:11 am

     

    Very inspirational & motivational story. Of course the way we think, the same way our life turns out to be, I practically practice it… I hope all of us can utilise this Life’s Secret.

  92. Hanna Nyu -- 30 Apr 12 at 1:57 am

     

    ..Though I’m still a student reading this made me wish to marry someone just like him someday. Very nice!!!

  93. Wabiha Nishath -- 5 May 12 at 12:24 pm

     

    It suits me. I always hope to do this, to do that but never did anything. Thanks, this story really inspired me. Great job!!!

  94. Dean Samuel -- 8 May 12 at 2:28 pm

     

    Wow……… truly outstanding story……. What a soul saving story. This is a wonderful one, it can bring a dying love back to life. I love it

  95. Shushmita Parashar -- 15 May 12 at 2:50 pm

     

    Awesome story, just loved it!!!

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