I can no longer speak words of hope with any lightness of meaning behind them.
Hope is not a light matter, not a simple thing.
It is both a noose and a lifeline.
It has the power to destroy, and the power to save.
If you ever again hear me speak a hopeful phrase
- and I cannot at this time imagine such a thing -
know that behind those simple words stands
a solid constitution,
an unequivocally proven assurance,
and an unshakable determination
based on war-hardened truth.
If I ever choose to hope again, know that God is real and He is alive -
because He will have won an immense battle for my soul.
