# The Unseen Hold

## Gravity Without Light

In the vastness of space, stars and galaxies spin in perfect orbits, bound not by what we see, but by something hidden. Dark matter, that quiet giant, makes up most of the universe's mass. It doesn't glow or shine; it simply is, exerting a steady pull that keeps everything from flying apart. On a cold December night in 2025, staring at the stars, I wonder about the dark matter in our own lives—the forces we feel but rarely name.

## The Pull in Everyday Moments

Think of a family dinner where laughter fills the room, held together by years of quiet sacrifices no one mentions. Or the inner strength that carries you through a long day, born from small habits built in solitude. These are our dark matters: the love unspoken, the resilience unshown, the kindnesses exchanged in passing. They don't demand attention, yet without them, our worlds would drift into chaos.

- A parent's patient listening after a tough day.
- A friend's steady presence through silent storms.
- The self-forgiveness that mends old wounds.

We sense their weight in the stability they bring, much like astronomers detect dark matter through its effects on visible light.

## Trusting What Holds Us

Living means leaning into these invisibles. We can't measure them with scales or scopes, but we live them—in the calm after grief, the warmth of reunion, the quiet knowing that some things endure beyond sight. Perhaps wisdom lies in honoring what we can't fully grasp, letting it guide our paths.

*In the end, what binds us most is often what we never see.*