Tears are rolling down my face but my lantern is shining. Thanks, @riverflows. I too struggle lately with keeping the despair at bay as I watch the modern world burn in many fires ~ both literally and figuratively. I find times when my strength seems to wane in the midst of the seemingly endless barrage of storms we are finding ourselves weathering. I remember a Japanese proverb I learned many years ago ~ "Fall down 7 times, get up 8" and on those darkest days when it seems so much easier to stay down, I still pull myself up with the help of those hearts around me, that we all make it to the end.
Thank you again for the heartfelt and uplifting post.