I’ve been through quite a lot since I started this blog 16 years ago, so many challenges: forced poverty and loss of my life savings, months then years of endless struggle to survive, and lately, now, health challenges which I have relentlessly kept at bay, but now, tonight perhaps the final blow and, frankly, my spirit seems nearly depleted.

We all, as we pass through life, are forced to deal with ingratitude and betrayal–it comes with the territory of simply living, of being trusting, and caring for others. What has come to me lately, what I cannot turn my eyes from now, is the final blow.

I have a reputation as someone who is endlessly resilient and people in my life–students, friends–have found in my ability to bounce back against all odds some inspiration in their own struggles. I’ve been a teacher for many years and am proud to say that I have given others courage and the power to endure any difficulty.

But here I am, tonight, nearly ready to finally admit defeat.

I’m here to ask if anyone might know of help for me–a warm home, a place of refuge, perhaps a country that might find in me a worthy refugee. I’m not a beggar…I have a small pension and, even at my age, I can happily work. If anyone knows of something like this, do let me know. I don’t need to be questioned about the gory details by the merely curious, I just need too know there might be any sort of refuge or home where I might find safety and security so I can finish one more book before I depart this world. That’s all.