This morning,

in the time surrounding and throughout the worship service with [our] Church,

-two people said, "I love you," to me (sounding uncannily like a brother or sister in Christ might)

-one person insisted on sitting with me, fully aware that I prefer a lone pew (largely so I can focus on listening but critically so I can persist in isolation)

-one person said they missed spending time with me (which warred against my understanding that they had grown fed up or bored with me)

-one person asked if I was in a place to receive hugs (and I said yes because I was so blessed by the framing of the question).

Others looked at me like they couldn't see how detestable I am. No one appeared offended that I hadn't shown up with a bag over my head.

I wonder about you, dark tunnel. I wonder a lot.