If someone watched while I opened Facebook or Twitter lately they would see a look come over my face similar to a deer in headlights. I open my pages thinking its going to be safe, that what I’m going to see are funny anecdotes, news about the health, well-being and travels of my friends, their delicious looking meals, naughty or nice children, proud and uh-oh moments. Instead, a Mack truck of misery comes barreling at me full speed, threatening to crush my spirit, twist my will, and warp my hope into an unrecognizable hunk of heart breaking nothingness. I know I should look away. I know that when I do finally look away that feeling of dread that has spread over my entire body will still be there, threatening to suffocate and immobilize me. I struggle against it. I tell myself I should delete my accounts like so many others have done. It would be such a relief to not have to face the ugly every day. But I can’t. I can’t turn my back on people who are suffering just to make myself feel better in my ignorance. Instead, I’m going to keep my rose colored glasses handy the next time I step out onto that road. I’m going to allow myself to see the things that will make me a better human being through knowledge and understanding, and then I will find ways in which I can make a difference to lessen the suffering I see around me. Meanwhile, I’m going to try hard … very hard … to continue my commitment to finding something each day to add to my #YearofThanksGiving2017. Today is #Day67 of that commitment, and today I give thanks for the freedoms I enjoy that others don’t dare to dream of for fear of persecution.