We've tried hard to be good, decent people, for no other reason than it being what was good and right in our hearts.
We've been generous as much as we can be, we've been helpful and selfless when possible, and we've taught ourselves and others courtesy, kindness, courage and many other good morals.
We've tried not to cause trouble and stayed positive through life, holding onto hope when things got tough and uncertain.
And yet, despite all of that, life seems to continue punishing us, year after year, for no fault of our own. It feels as though someone or some thing has had an eternal grudge against us or our very existence, and yet we don't know who, what or why.

Once-trusted friends left us for petty reasons, or sometimes seemingly no reason at all.
Bridges were burned in front of us, and not of our choosing.
The myriad of doors once opened to us were quickly and eventually closed almost entirely, often times before we were even made aware of them.
And hope has become harder to hold onto, despite our efforts in trying to share it with others and illuminate their paths with it.

Why is it, then, that we are punished so unjustly? What wrong have we committed, if any at all? What can be done to make amends and absolve this cruelty? Is it even possible anymore, or was it ever even possible to begin with?
Why is it that, no matter the time, place or reason, whenever we call out for answers or help...all we get in return is silence? Is anyone even out there? Is anyone even up there who cares? Or is it really just the empty void we see in the night sky?

I refuse to give up, but...the pain of loss is becoming increasingly more intense and cruel with each passing day. I worry for myself, but I worry even more for what little remains of my family. I don't know how much more it will take to break me, but I know how much I've had to take along the way...

Life tests us. Every day, it tests us, but for what purpose? For how long? For how much longer...? Why?