HOPE Stands

This story is the theme piece for ForGrace's [ForGrace.org) 10th Annual Women in Pain Conference in Los Angeles, Ca.. 2021's theme is the "PAIN/ CANCER CONNECTION."
The Poem that came most to mind was this:
"HOPE Stands"
Like sunflowers, whose heads track every bit of of light through the shadows of life,
So are those who've had to find their own courage when living through chronic pain and cancer.
It is their HOPE that stands!
Even in the midst of chaos, HOPE Stands ...
Even gripped in the tentacles of damaged nerve synapses = that sends pain coursing through their bodies... HOPE Stands. Now we have to show each other how to stand