I am not sure I have experienced this “emotion”  – numbness. Is it an emotion? I find myself sitting and staring out the window today, not able to focus on work. It’s not that I am thinking about anything in particular, but I just sit in blankness.

Sure, in the back of my mind is the gnawing, the unknown, the fear that shouldn’t be there but I’m human –

Last night, a new friend here in Small Town USA texted Sam and I this video:

So I have hung on to the words today.

In the midst of all that we face, my daughter sent Sam her prayer.

A new tenant spoke words of healing and faith after hearing our challenge and promised prayer warriors.

One of our ministers from our church reached us via voicemail, email, and CaringBridge with words that were so soothing to this fresh wound.

Good friends and fellow employees are texting us with their love, their brokenness, their encouragement.

And Kelli reminded me 45 minutes ago to name the blessings, one by one.

1. Breeze that isn’t cold but isn’t hot
2. Natia’s sweetness
3. My two girls who still make my heart skip a beat
4. Fall flowers
5. Chiefs and Mahomes
6. Sam is with his family today, enjoying a cross country meet with a favorite great nephew
7. Fly swatter success
8. A call from my Dad, a call from my second mom, a call from Joyce
9. The best doctors
10. Time spent with my sister
11. Sam’s happiness when he has a video call with his daughter
12. Afternoon shadows on a freshly mowed lawn
13. My job and my bosses whom I dearly love
14. Attending church on the couch, holding hands, staring out the windows while listening to the message last night
15. First attempt at pork ribs on the grill and whaddayaknow – edible!
16. Help from my brother and Dad
17. Watching Sam cry and realizing how blessed I am to have a husband who feels and doesn’t hide
18. The Voice begins tonight after our walk
19. Tatum, Parker, Anissa, Reilly, Andrae, Annistan, Anjalie, Andersyn, Aynjel, and Ansyr
20. A young man who has made such a difference in Sam’s life and is wise beyond his years, showing such gratitude and maturity
21. Great neighbors on every side
22. An ache for my piano – it is time for it to come home. Today, I need it…