Much has happened over the past (nearly) two years. It' has been a conflagration of loss, sacrifice, despair, despondency, frustration, grief, and loss. Despite that, it has also been about two years of growth, of challenges met, of family growing closer, of more meaningful encounters. A period of self reflection and contemplation on growing older, wiser (I hope), and feeling my way through the babyrinth that is life. I've learned to leave non-perishable bread crumbs--and the kind not tasty to the creatures living in the shadows of said labyrinth. I've made it out after descending into the depths of hell at times. But always, every time, I've returned despite the darkness, the seas of sorrow, the mountains serving as barriers to change and improvement. I am hopeful. Yes. There's that dirty word: Hope. And yet, I know in the last 10-20 years of my life, I have something to offer, to give, to provide to others and so I'll stick with it despite the voices of disdain and argument. One. Day. At. A. Time. As always. And...One. Breath. At. A. Time. To those struggling at the moment, I say breathe. Focus on the breath. Keep breathing. Keep focusing. Keep allowing yourself the breath of healing and the peace that comes from being in the moment.