Last week I wrote about hope. It created a lot of interest and people were asking for copies to send to friends and family.

But later I was bothered because I hadn’t finished writing my thoughts on the matter. Yes, hope is an essential ingredient in anyone’s life. But there was a question that gnawed on me even in my sleep.

The question — for what do you hope? For what do I hope? Let’s frame the subject by asking people what their hopes are for their life, today or the country or whatever.

I began asking this question. I prefaced it by saying I wanted honest answers, ones thought through. The responses were fascinating. I told them maybe you’re old, ill, dependent upon help from others. Or perhaps you are young and just starting your life career. You’ll find that your hopes will often depend on where you are on your life circle.

The first person I asked thought for a moment and then said, “My hope is that I give my daughter the right tools she will need to live a happy and productive life.”

Another woman, further along in her life and career said, “My hope is to see assisted living facilities find better ways to give back residents’ independence. I hope for deeper understanding about residents’ needs from those who make the rules.”

I was quite impressed with the depth of her answers.

An elderly but “with it” man said, “I hope for a long and healthy life and with a great relationship with all of my family.”

Then on to a fully functional 80-year-old man who lives with his wife who has dementia.

He said, “Every day my hope is one more day with my wife. Also that all of our children follow the Lord.”

A teenager when asked her hope said, “My hope is to be a RN and help people.”

A lady my age, but much stronger and healthier said, “My hope is that I can go on like I’m doing now for a long time. Also and I don’t ever I want to have a stroke, it would make me angry.”

A relatively new resident was adamant about her hope, “One of my hopes is to have great-grandchildren. It would be so awesome to see my kids have grandkids. You know I was tough on my kids and grandkids to make them strong. Also, I want my husband to join me here. I am ready, but he is not.”

Here is an answer I love. “I hope for a happy death. I want Jesus to kiss my forehead and welcome me home. I also hope for the world to put God back in it.”

A 70-year-old woman said, “My hope is to get out of this wheelchair and use a walker. I hope for stronger legs.”

A man in his early 80s said, “My hope is to find me a good woman and get married again. I don’t want to die alone.”

An energetic, loving lady about 60 years old said, “We have such tragedy in the world now. It crosses my mind constantly. Hope, for me, is the light at the end of the tunnel. If we didn’t have hope, we’d never see the light.”

A man in his 90s, “My hope is I can spread my positive attitude about life to others.”

Now, as for my hope — “My hope has to do with my purpose. I have tried to spend my life finding life lessons for all of us. I believe my purpose has been to find and share them through my writing. Therefore, my hope is that I don’t leave before my life purpose is done the best I can.”

My second hope is someone will step up behind me and continue to light the path. My third hope is for peace and joy for my beautiful family who have all loved me so well.

One lady in her 80s said “My hope is that I always remember what you said in your column on hope. You said to keep my eye on the light because the darker the path, the brighter the light. I will try to do this.”

One last person said, “I just want this part of my life to be over. I think the best is yet to come.”

So many different answers. It has been a revealing column.

The view from the mountain is wondrous.

Jean Brody is a passionate animal lover and mother. She previously lived in Winchester, but now resides in Littleton, Colorado. Her column has appeared in the Sun for more than 25 years.