In the face of our current administration’s daily chaotic, abusive, immoral and inhumane declarations, it is only human to defend oneself by retreating into a kind of numbness. This response is, in fact, a survival instinct — essential to our ability to keep on going.

Yet even in this state, I believe we can still hold, deep within an indestructible part of ourselves, an ember of hope. While the administration may seek to erode our humanity, it cannot extinguish our capacity for authentic hope. Nor can it extinguish the beauty of Maine as spring awakens.

These two states — numbness and hope — can coexist. Holding onto a vision of how humane our world can be is, in itself, healing, especially when shared with other Mainers who tend to act with compassion.

Cynthia Sortwell, MD
South Portland