abstract: Mixed methodologies were employed in this study of hope-fostering strategies. The sample of ten older people, drawn from Canadian rural prairie communities, was arrived at through theoretical purposive sampling. The data collection instruments employed were the Herth Hope Index and the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale. The interviews revealed a range of hopefostering strategies, including 'leaving a legacy', 'short term goals', 'faith', and 'symbols of hope'. As one participant said, 'These robins, they hop along, and they sing to me, they say "cheer up, cheer up".' The authors discuss their findings in the light of previous studies of hope-fostering strategies.