When it came to intensity with a chainsaw, Leatherface had nothing on Skip Cain. Highlights of that day included Skip having me pull my lunch up into the tree on a rope, because he suspected, probably accurately so, that I would not want to climb back up in the tree once I climbed down.
Wednesday October 28th had an inauspicious beginning, which is euphemistic for a crappy start, both literally and figuratively. . .I added up more pluses than minuses at the end of the day and called it a win.
I kept hearing the voices. First the voices come and then the bad thoughts. I struggled to block out the voices, and with great fortitude of concentration was able to mentally transport to a different headspace...
I still I have moments of doubt and uncertainty, wherein by necessity I stop to ask the critical questions: Who am I? What am I? Why am I here? Not this moment:
I was tempted to ask the young lady follow-up questions regarding her alien abduction experience, but I felt that might evoke flashbacks to associated trauma. Besides, satisfying such curiosity would have only been a distraction from the mission.
Create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit in me. Cast me not away from Thy presence Lord, and take not Thy Spirit from me. Restore the joy of my salvation. Uphold me with Thy free spirit. Lord have mercy on me.