It is february and this miserable month truly lives up to its grey reputation this year. I am overwhelmed and have been unable to commit words to the blog because I know someone who is very ill and on the edge of the end, and I don't know what to say.

How beautiful is all this visible world!
How glorious in its action and itself;
But we, who name ourselves its sovereigns, we,
Half dust, half deity, alike unfit
To sink or soar, with our mix'd essence make
A conflict of its elements, and breathe
The breath of degradation and of pride,
Contending with low wants and lofty will
Till our mortality predominates,
And men are --- what they name not to themselves,
And trust not to each other.
-Byron