I stumbled across this word a few days ago, and I’m determined to bring it back into today’s vocabulary. In the Oxford English Dictionary, it has just one record next to it from 1525.

Language gives us the capacity to name things, shaping the geography of our thoughts and feelings. We’ve all experienced despair- whether through losing a loved one, a pet, a job, dealing with a chronic health condition, or navigating the uncertainties of life.

My hope is that all of us can experience respair- fresh hope; one that comes with time and patience and allowing ourselves to be held by our community.