I weep for what the world has become –

I weep for the multitudes in suffrage –

I weep for the children torn from their loving families by the godless edict of a dictator or by a bullet from one of their cult followers –

I weep for the loss of humanity in how we treat each other –

I weep for the loss of human contact in our society –

I weep for those we’ve lost – and those we will lose on the way…

I long for the days when civility counted for what we were as a country; when it mattered what the people said in the choices of our future as custodians of this planet; when we all had a focus and worked together to attain that goal; and when the content of your character mattered…

I weep at what I’ve become in recent years, letting anger and frustration overwhelm my thoughts and eating at the remaining remnants of my heart. At times, I know the true meaning of what it feels like to be lost in the darkness.

I’m not a particularly religious man, but I sincerely pray that you hold your families close and tell them you love them as often as you can each and every day. Let them hear your voice every day.

As we roll into a new year, let us think of those we lost along the way – and those that weren’t able to complete the journey with us. It was in their eyes that we witnessed the best of intentions for humanity to survive and flourish, despite the intentions of some among us.

Be well.