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.

By Henri Nouwen