In the weight of the world, we struggle in every way. Tormented, tripping, stumbling through the day.
Gasping for air, we barely contain our breath. Fighting against the terrifying moments that bring soul-crushing death. Promises, once made, are broken. Commitments, once sacred, are merely tokens. Honored, tested virtues are no more. Lost in rudderless ships, we are shaken to our core. We are fighting against a massive sea. Yet, on the far horizon, two beacons of hope shine for me. Struggling, we push forth with sweat on the brow. The terrifying days and nights find us now. We wonder how our parents did it. How could it be? How did they manage in a world of sickness and grief? How did they fight against the monsters they did not see? As I enter my home, I kiss my wife and turn down the hall. I walk forward to see my daughter so small. In the darkness of a nightmare, I hear her soft cries. I reach down and wipe the tears from her eyes. Awake, suddenly, she reaches out to me. With the whispered word "Daddy," I am finally free. Feb 3, 2024