It’s not a question of pessimism.

I cannot travel into the country to visit, I’d be grabbed at the airport and thrown into mandatory military service. Likely thrown into the front lines to fight against the rebels, or worse Daesh.

They cannot leave, not with ease at least, and given the horrors refugees are facing abroad in Europe, it’s not a struggle many can survive, or afford.

That said, I always hold on to hope. Hope for my family, hope for the Syrian people, hope for everyone suffering at the hands of oppressive governments, war, and terrorism.