@MidnightRider @homebird The darkness around me, I will not let it diminish the light I can shine.

Hope is the counterpoint to the dark. In the worst of times, when there seemed like there was no tomorrow, there were enough people working towards and believing in the next day, to get us to this day.

@NiveusLepus @homebird I suppose that is true and a great mindset. I don't know how old you are Becca but I remember 40 years ago and it was splendid compared to the precipice of what actually could lead to civil war violence, after all we have been there and done that.

@MidnightRider @homebird I am 43. Pretty much in the middle in terms of my life span. That said, its certainly not been an easy road, but I do remember how things were, and I am astonished by how much change their has been.

It is of course the nature of things to change, but there has been a particular kind of acceleration during my time here.

@NiveusLepus @homebird I've read enough of what you type to know you have a good core and are live in the light you believe we need more of in this troubled country. That alone makes you unique.

@MidnightRider @homebird I am lucky in that I have allies like you. We all shine for each other, and do what we can. The collective action of millions of tiny lights pushes some candlepower. ^_^

There is simply nothing to be found in despair but death. I have no idea if I'll be alive next year, or where I'll be. Nothing is assured, but as long as I'm me, and I'm here, I have a chance to make the world at least a little better.

@NiveusLepus @homebird When I was really little (don't know what age) some TV evangelist would sing " if everyone lit just one little candle, what a bright world it would be". He wasn't prescient enough to know the greed of the few would make his dream more likely to burn everything down.

@MidnightRider @homebird I am fond of the saying that "If you ever wonder if you can make a difference, light a birthday candle and carry it into a dark room."

I hiked through a lot of wildfire scar on the PCT, and at first, It was a bummer, but as I moved through my first charred forest, I became aware of places where there were grasses and wildfire among the charcoal, long spans of green, mixed with a myriad of color.

Even in the ashes, there was hope and life.

@NiveusLepus @homebird I was able to deliver to my company results they believed were not possible, In those years I was major Tom, "and the company paper wants to know what shirts you wear". Got a little big headed about it. But now as an old guy? The dude I did not know who bear hugged me at a jazz fest and thanked me for my kindness when he was a patient, has far more substance even though it didn't mean more dollars.

@MidnightRider @homebird What you will carry with you, beyond the far horizon, will never be dollars, but memories of your deeds, deals, and regrets.

@NiveusLepus @homebird No doubt if anything goes beyond it's not the stuff that is currently making my life difficult.