More Than A Hash Tag...It's a Way Of Life

1/11/2015

#HopeHeidiAllen

#WheresHeidiAllen

I remember the first time I saw a "hash tag". I wondered why there was a pound sign before certain words and phrases on Facebook. Now, this is before I started to Tweet, which I'm no song bird still today, but I do try to belt a couple tweets now and then. There might be some reading this blog, who have saved themselves from the world of Social Media wondering why I have pound signs before the two phrases above.

Thankfully, I work with tech savvy peeps and I have the added bonus of teen technos in my life. One of my friends, Diane Estrella, she is amazing and our social media and blog guru and go-to-girl. She is up to date on current trends and how to use them. I miss hearing Diane's monthly tech tidbit and lesson. I probably wouldn't even have Twitter if it wasn't for her nudging and guidance. Anyone, I have gone off track, my apologies.

Whether you read #HopeHeidiAllen and #WheresHeidi as hast tags or words without spaces after a pound symbol, they mean more than both of these things. They represent one way to share hope with others as we remember Heidi Allen, kidnapped April 3, 1994 while working alone at the D & W Convenience Store in New Haven, New York.

Today starts a hearing to determine if the verdict for her convicted kidnapper will be overturned. This hearing has Heidi's family, friends, and community with mixed emotions. Heidi is never forgotten and so many hold out hope for her to be found one day. Hope is eternal and something we hang on to.

I've done a few interviews over the past week and one interviewer asked, "What do you do on the days when you don't have hope?" I shook my head, or smh, at him. There isn't a day we don't have hope. Without hope, life would be dark and difficult to get through. Don't get me wrong, there are days and times when it's more difficult yet one thing remains constant, we hold out hope for Heidi.

...but those who hope in the Lord
    will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
    they will run and not grow weary,
    they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:31 NIV

Hope is eternal...
A Constant to Help You Through
What gives you hope?

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