“If it were not for hopes, the heart would break.” Thomas Fuller
One small thought about hope. My past three or 
four years saw a divorce, alienation from two children and from friends, four moves, and a number of severe economic and career setbacks. It was an extremely difficult and personally trying time, and at some point, I saw nothing but futility in every effort, past, present and future. The darkest days were worse for losing the light of hope. Though dim, the light never succumbed to the shadows, and what hope remained turned out to be enough. If nothing else, when things are their worst, pin your hopes on hope and hang on. Hang on, because it is a bumpy ride back, but eventually, you will be back in the light.
