I'm putting this here, because I'm not sure exactly where it goes.

[HeartsCanHope]

Last edited Sat Dec 13, 2025, 12:29 AM - Edit history (1)

I'm sorry if I'm posting here in error.

I have always had a fear of darkness.

I know it's a common phobia,

and that there are even multiple names for the different types of darkness phobias.

Every room of my house has some form of emergency light device.

My husband and son come to me and hold my hands when the power goes out,

(and give me an emergency lantern or flashlight!)

My worst nightmares involve darkness.

Usually a darkness so thick, and smothering that I am unable to breathe, the fear is so acute.

I fill my house with light so the darkness can't win.

I love all holidays that have to do with light.

The diyas of Diwali, the menorahs of Hanukkah, the lovely lanterns of Ramadan,

and the magical sky lanterns of Japan, just to name a few.

I look forward to Christmas each year so I can put up our tree

and have strings of colored lights inside and out--everywhere--without seeming weird.

I can breathe at Christmas, it always brightens my heart as well as drives away the darkness.

Even if you don't celebrate the religious aspect of Christmas, you can appreciate the thought--

peace on earth and good will toward all.

It's my favorite time of year.

I no longer practice Christianity with a community

--not even sure I believe in any deity anymore,

but I do love the thought that we are all brothers and sisters and we must help each other.

That usually brings me such light that it fills me up.

But this year, I felt such darkness inside that I didn't want to celebrate my precious lights or any aspects of this season.

If it weren't for my husband and son starting to put up the tree and lights,

I doubt I would have done anything this year.

Since Trump won last November I have felt such darkness inside I've felt smothered by it,

living my my worst nightmare.

The only thing that has kept me going are my husband and son, AND ALL OF YOU.

You ALL have become my light.

Earl G and Elad, this community you created and maintain not only drives away the darkness,

but it actually gives me hope that we'll come out on the other side,

victorious over the darkness.

I doubt there will ever be true justice for the atrocities we've seen and read about,

but this community brings us the TRUTH.

Even when the truth hurts we light a candle against the fear and pain caused by this administration.

Each post by this community pierces that darkness.

We learn not only about what to fight against, but how to fight.

That we are not alone in that fight, and that each act against the darkness,

no matter how small, will help us all to win the battle.

Last night I had a dream.

It started like most of my dreaded nightmares--with darkness.

I was above the earth looking down on a darkness that covered everything so thickly it felt impossible to breathe.

I felt such overwhelming fear, and I started to cry, (my pillow was wet when I woke up.)

But then something miraculous happened in my dream.

Small pinpoints of light started to appear on the surface of the earth,

and little by little the light spread until it covered the entire globe.

The darkness almost seemed to run away from the light as it spread. I woke up with a wet pillow,

but a huge smile on my face and in my heart!

My first thoughts were of my husband and son, and then all of you, my lights of hope against the darkness!

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Thank you for all that you do, dear friends, to bring us the light.

Each and every post is appreciated and I love you all.

P.S. I edited this to make it easier to read for DUers with low vision.

I'm sorry I didn't think about the problems it would cause to write as I did.

[markodochartaigh]

1. True justice,

I think, is mostly a fable that we who have been privileged to live under a relatively benign system believe is possible.
Think of all of the people massacred throughout history by tyrants like Genghis Khan, Attila the Hun, Cromwell, Pol Pot, Suharto, King Leopold II, etc. The list is almost endless.
I think that the only true justice is the little light that each of us carries and can choose to use on a daily basis.

[HeartsCanHope]

2. And I thank you, my friend for sharing your light with me. You are appreciated!

[Maru Kitteh]

3. While I don't have the challenge of your phobia, I share your feeling. You are NOT alone.

I am not alone. We are not alone.

[HeartsCanHope]

7. Thank you, Maru Kitteh!

With over 31,000 posts you definitely bring us the light! I appreciate your kind words and the hug!

[Irish_Dem]

4. All we can do is hold the light with all our hearts.

And make a difference in the world, big and small.

[HeartsCanHope]

8. You also bring us the light, Irish Dem. Wow! Almost 79,000 posts!

Thank you for your wise and kind words, and I will do my best to make a difference in the world.

[Irish_Dem]

9. It can be small, it doesn't have to be big and splashy.

Your post was a good example.
Giving us hope to hold the light and do good.

Say a cheerful word to the grocery store clerk.
Help someone with a door.

It all adds up and makes a difference.

[HeartsCanHope]

12. That's what I've missed, the little acts of thoughtfulness.

So many people seem so angry, so quick to take offense. The world I grew up in was so different than the world today.
It seems so easy to me, treat others as you want to be treated. Here on DU people take the time to be thoughtful and kind. The little things mean so much. One small kindness can change your whole day. Thank you, Irish Dem, for bringing light to my heart!

[Irish_Dem]

14. I once heard a great prescription for feeling better when down.

Gratitude, service, prayer.

We should count our blessings and have gratitude for what we do have.
Service can be just a kind word.
Prayer can be a prayer or meditation, mindfulness, etc.

[summer_in_TX]

26. Recently I heard a fascinating and beautiful NPR piece on the nearly miraculous impact of

gratitude.
Practicing gratitude changes us. By noticing good things, we recognize moments of joy and feel more hope.

?si=lAhaXKVqxmK14D-3

HeartsCanHope, your dream was powerful and beautiful – and I feel that happening all around us. 🫶🏼

[Irish_Dem]

38. This is one thing I missed when my dad retired from the military. The gratitude was there.

There was always gratitude for all the military members who had each others' backs and kept each other alive.
Who kept the planes in the air. And kept everything running.

On some USAF bases overseas we didn't have much.
If the library got some new books, or the airmen scrounged up an old movie we had never seen before
we were so happy and grateful.

Then we came back home stateside and no one has your back.
And everyone had so many amenities they took for granted.

I thought civilians were spoiled and self centered.

[Irish_Dem]

5. I hope your dream is a prophecy of our future.

[HeartsCanHope]

10. I hope so, too, Irish Dem. The dream really lightened my heart.

It's our children that will bear the burden of the damage this administration is doing. It's so upsetting to see so many people hurting.
What I love about DU is that people talk about ways to help. I've learned so much from everyone here. Even the smallest act of kindness brings the light. Thank you again for your kindness.

[Irish_Dem]

13. I just had the same conversation with good friends of mine.

We were discussing our concerns about the kids and grandkids.
What is going to happen to them when Trump is done destroying everything?

One of my friends sees the same lights you do.
Which will spread across the globe.

And you should understand that we all have light in our hearts and souls.
So you are never in darkness, the light is inside of you.
And the light shines bright in your husband and son as well.
And other souls.

So you have light all around you. Your dream is telling you this.

[HeartsCanHope]

34. I had a strange experience years ago. My husband had a conference in California and my son and I traveled with him.

I was walking on a sidewalk pushing my little son, and suddenly the people around me seemed to glow, pulsating with light.

I thought I was getting a migraine halo, but the "glow" only lasted a short time, and the dreaded migraine never came. I've always

wondered what I experienced that day. I told a friend back then, and she was convinced I saw those individual's auras. It's never

happened again, so I've more or less attributed it to a trick of the light. But if it was real, each person was

radiant in the light--beautiful.

It is such a lovely thought, Irish Dem, that we carry the light inside us, that we're never in darkness,

and the light shines in others--all around us.

That gives me such hope that we will win over the darkness.

[Irish_Dem]

37. Other people have reported seeing the same thing.

That they can see the soul auras of the people around them.
And it is astoundingly beautiful.

Yes you carry this light as well.
So you are never in the dark.
And your dream was telling you this.
And telling you the light will prevail against darkness.

It was a very good dream that you had.

[HeartsCanHope]

42. Thank you, Irish_Dem!

[tanyev]

6. Beautiful. 💙 💛 💙 💛

[HeartsCanHope]

11. Thank you, tanyev. Your light shines brightly, too! 48, 502 posts!

Thank you for the hearts. I appreciate your thoughtfulness!

[malaise]

15. What a beautiful OP

Forget the bad dream Let your light shine.

[HeartsCanHope]

23. Oh, Malaise, thank you!

Your light definitely shines! I love all your posts. Your posts bring me so much light, and thanks for the group hug!

[Donkees]

16. ⭐

⭐

[HeartsCanHope]

24. Oh, Donkees, your picture brought me to tears.

I love the little girl and the cat! Thank you for the light! Right back at you.

[chowder66]

17. Thank you for sharing that beautiful dream and your fear of darkness.

[HeartsCanHope]

25. I am so lucky to have my husband and son. They don't think I'm weird, they just accept that I fear the dark.

That's what's wonderful about DU, the acceptance. Lots of light on this forum. Thank you for the hugs, and thank for your light today.

[karin_sj]

18. Such a beautiful and uplifting post

Thank you for sharing your dream with us. I'm glad that you're part of the DU family. It's a really special place where people support and lift each other's spirits. I came here right after Bush Jr's election and was so distraught. Little did I know that those would be the golden days compared to what was to come. In any case, I'm so thankful for this group. It always informs me, inspires me, and sometimes brightens my day and makes me laugh. I hope those pinpoints of light and hope are a preview of things to come!

[HeartsCanHope]

28. It really is a wonderful place, for all the reasons you listed.

Everyone here is so kind. I am so glad you are here, too, karin-sj! Thank you for brightening my day with your lovely post!

[yorkster]

19. What a wonferful and powerful dream.

[HeartsCanHope]

29. I saw a video years ago of the earth from the space station as it flew over.

Here's something similar from YouTube

Thank you so much for your kind words.

[yorkster]

39. Just beautiful...thanks.

Bit of perspective and then some.

[Hope22]

20. Hold on to that dream!

Always remember!Thank you for sharing! Love to you and yours. 💗🙏🏼🎄🥰

[HeartsCanHope]

30. I will remember, Hope22. Thank you for your light!

Love back at you and yours!

[Ilsa]

21. Beautiful post, and it reflects

why we shouldn't give up. Hope is not lost. Recovery may be difficult, but I believe we will get through this darkness and find a way to preserve the values we hold dear.

[HeartsCanHope]

31. You are so right, Ilsa, we must not give up.

It's exactly what they want us to feel, hopeless and afraid. DU has become my lifeline, what I cling to when it's all too much.
Thank you for giving me hope today that we will get through this. Thank you for sharing your light with me today!

[calimary]

22. Hey, I haven't come up with a single kid, including my own, who weren't

at least concerned or unsettled, by a darkened bedroom. That’s why we always - ALWAYS - had night lights on at night. If for NO other reason than making it easy to find one’s way to the bathroom. Still do, to this day. My husband likes it that way, too.

Shine a light! It’s good for the morale!

[HeartsCanHope]

32. I like the way you think, Calimary! Your concern is for others and making them feel comfortable.

If everyone was like you what a better world we would have! Thank you for shining your light on me today, dear friend!

[Ocelot II]

27. This evening I was in a performance of Handel's Messiah,

and there's a baritone aria that starts out, "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light," and I thought of your post. Obviously that's a specifically religious statement, but sooner or later we will see light again.

[HeartsCanHope]

33. Now I'll have to dig out my Messiah CDs to find that line.

How wonderful to be in a performance of that glorious music! I'm sure your group's performance lightened many hearts .

I am really tired of waiting for people to see what this man really is. It's been over a decade now of his darkness, so I'd

rather it be sooner than later! I thank you for your words of hope and light!

[Ocelot II]

40. Doing music is a great relief; it brings me its own kind of light.

"The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light, and they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined."

[HeartsCanHope]

41. What a kind thing to do, Ocelot II!

I love Handel's Messiah, and this part is beautiful! Thank you for sharing this with me. I'll never listen to this part again without thinking of you!

[electric_blue68]

35. What a beautiful dream....

After all your nightmares, how wonderful to have a ccounter balance!

I've seen your user name; it's a lovely and poetic.

I found DU by accident within a year of them starting up while at a Net Cafe. But w/o easy acess, I forgot about it. Then in 2020 I was annoyed at the political off topic forum at a totally different site.

So I thought - I need to find an additional good liberal site. Out of the depths of memory DU popped up. Surely, I thought, they can't still be around. And there they were! I lurked briefly, and jumped right in.

Been here since. Definitely a life/light line. What's great is also having the Lounge, and all kinds of other subjects like history, science, and more to get away from our political troubles as well.

[HeartsCanHope]

36. It was a beautiful dream, and it's a nice way to think of it, a counter balance to the nightmares.

My username is a tribute to a relative who died in 2020, not from Covid, a car accident.

I hadn't seen this relative in several years, but found the phrase in their twitter account.

Don't know what it means really, but I like the sentiment.

I'm glad you found DU, and you're right, another thing to like about DU is that there so many things to explore here.

Very inclusive! Thank you also for your kind words and telling me about how you found DU.

I lurked here a long time before joining. Not an everyday poster, but I come here every day to get the news.

I appreciate everyone here, and I thank you again for brightening my day!

[Figarosmom]

43. With the new LED lights i now

Leave lights on everywhere in my house at night. Only with me it's the fear of tripping over the cat or something at night.

I do believe in dreams showing us the future that may happen. There is a school of thought that dreams are our mind working out the future with knowledge we have seen and absorbed but haven't processed completely. So hear,hear to your mind for processing our light at the end of this dark tunnel☀️

[HeartsCanHope]

47. Thank you, Figarosmom, for your kind words.

I hope that we all get out of this mess sooner rather than later. Each day brings Captain Chaos more opportunities to hurt people. There are more and more reports of resistance to Trump and his administration, though, even from his own party. Each act of resistance will bring us closer to the end of his horrific administration. May that light shine, and Trump's light fade!

[homegirl]

44. With so many others

you have survived the oppression of the Trump first year, the second time around!.
To you, your family. friends and fellow Americans ...

Congratulations, on the successful completion of your annual trip around the Sun..

[HeartsCanHope]

48. Thanks, homegirl, for your good wishes!

Who would have thought Trump could do so much damage in so short a time? I mean we knew it would be bad, but this has administration been horrifying in its incompetence and malevolence! The dream was a huge comfort, but we've got to put a stop to as much damage as we can. This next year will be doing the real work--getting the vote out, stopping the gerrymandering, trying to win over Independents and those voters who aren't motivated to vote, and protecting everyone's voting rights. We CAN do it, but it will be a battle. I'll keep my dream in my heart, and do my best to make it our reality!

[1WorldHope]

45. That was lovely Hope. Your post lifted many people up.

These are dark times that is for sure. There is nothing about life that doesn't confuse me most days. The enormity of cruelty through time leaves me pretty angry and hopeless if I let myself think about it too long. But, smiling at a stranger at the grocery store and having them smile back just lights me up.
I had the most incredible grandparents. They were the light of my life. My grandma lived to 90, and my grandpa lived to 105. I never saw them angry, I never heard them say anything petty. I realized, they have the same choices everyone has on what you focus on in life, they always chose goodness. Those two people were the light of my life as a child and an example of choosing your reality as an adult. I am not a perfect example of them at all, but, I have them to lift me up when I am overwhelmed with the darkness. Thanks for your lovely post. It lightened a lot of people's day here on DU.

[HeartsCanHope]

49. If my post helped someone else, I'm so glad, 1WorldHope!

So many people on this forum do that every day, and I am a grateful recipient of their kindness.

The smallest acts of kindness can make such a difference for others, and we receive from others so much more than we give.

Your tribute to your grandparents was so lovely! You were so lucky to have such warm and loving grandparents in your life!

Thank you for shining your light every day to others! We need more kindness and love in this world right now!

[justaprogressive]

46. For literally decades

we have had Christmas lights up all year, we just add MUCH MORE at the start of December.

They make my wife happy!

[HeartsCanHope]

50. I think your wife and I are kindred souls when it comes to Christmas lights!

Last edited Sun Dec 14, 2025, 03:35 AM - Edit history (1)

There's something about the soft glow of Christmas lights that is so soothing! I don't like cords everywhere year round so I just

purchased a replacement set of rechargeable tea lights that you can program different colors. The majority are on our fireplace

mantel and on a little ledge above the fireplace opening.

There are a few more scattered in various nooks and crannies around the room. There are 24 tea lights. They have a "fade"

feature that changes colors very slowly or you can program them to be a certain color for different holidays. I look forward to

playing with different colors for the holidays. The tea lights also have a timer, so they turn off and on by themselves. They're kind

of like Christmas lights and these are the 3rd set I've purchased. The other sets, were just battery powered, not

rechargeable like these! With the tariffs it was too expensive to buy large quantities of button batteries.

Like you, my kind husband and son don't object to my light obsession and will help me to add more now that it is Christmas.

There will be a string of lights in the foyer and flickering battery powered candles in the windows of our house and on various

shelves. They recently bought me a beautiful little globe-like light that lights up a cat etched into the clear glass that is rechargeable.

It, too, is programmable for various colors or the color changes slowly into multiple colors. The kitty light is only on during the
day and resides on my chest of drawers. It's way too bright at night!

Thank you for your kind words that make me feel less weird about my light addiction! Your wife is fortunate to have such a loving

spouse. (I know I have a treasure in mine!) Thank you for your post!

[Dear_Prudence]

51. What a beautiful tribute

To light and community. Thank you. You are a full moon shining thru a dark night. 🌕

[HeartsCanHope]

53. Thank you, Dear_Prudence!

Last edited Sun Dec 14, 2025, 10:13 AM - Edit history (1)

I love a full moon. The night my son was born was a Harvest Moon. As we traveled to the hospital I looked at the beautiful moon

and felt such excitement and hope! I print out a little moon calendar each year. Thank you so much for very kind words!

You brightened my day!

[PunkinPi]

52. Lovely OP. Adding some words of wisdom from MVP about the darkness...

[HeartsCanHope]

54. If we had President Harris how different our country would be!

Thank you for her words. She always brings the light! And I love your username, we celebrate Pi Day around here!