What I didn’t expect was the unbelievable hospitality and feel of this community.  What I also didn’t expect was to give three school presentations and be asked to give a faith presentation for the community.   At this point there was nothing that was going to keep me from traveling to their neck of the woods. 

I am not asked to speak openly about how my faith played a major role in my recovery to often,  even though many say they can hear it or feel it.  I love speaking about my faith,  that is the entire reason I am traveling the country riding on an emotional roller coaster!  God kept putting it out there for me to hear and when I was ready, I grudgingly accepted.  Now you can’t get me to stop!

Having a home cooked meal with the FFA officers of Riverdale High School and faculty was amazing.  Like the food was Uh-Maz-Ing.  Miss Casey is known for her glorious dishes.  All three school presentations were intimate.  Small school districts mean I am up close and personal during the assembly.  Eyes meeting eyes.  Head nods and of course tears.  It’s not that I intend to make people cry, but they feel what I feel when describe the details of our family’s situation. 

The presentation that would not allow me to sleep though was the evening community faith presentation.  We were so close that I didn’t even use a microphone. I was on an emotional high anyway and with speaking about my faith, I knew I was going to be a hot mess. 
After answering questions, it was asked if they could pray over me.  Something I used to feel entirely awkward about because no one had ever done this for me until after my crash.  Today I welcome it and use each and every prayer I receive.  I walked down from the stage and stood by the lovely woman who asked.  What I did not anticipate was that within seconds every person would move from their seat and surround me.  

I put my hands on my mouth and told her I thought I might lose it.  Everyone had a hand on another person’s shoulders and when she laid her hand on mine we were all connected as one.  That moment, that small moment when I felt the warmth, energy and overall comfort come from this group through her hand was something I had never experienced before.  Guess what happened next.   Yes, I lost it. 

Immediately.  The kind where huge crocodile tears, hot as my bath water streamed down my cheeks.  I did that thing that women do when they can’t control their emotions.  I tried to catch my breath and instead of one nice long suck inwards it was four short clipped breaths and my chest heaved so big that I think it hit my chin. 
Before long I didn’t know if they wetness on my lips from was the floodgates of my eyes or snot running out of my nose!  Not kidding.  It was the BEST experience ever.