Rough day

Tom and Amelia did not go to church today. My ministering brother spotted them walking away from my house after church. I am sure they were postponing interacting with me. It's what they do now. A counselor in the bishopric checked in with me after sacrament meeting and was kind as I summarized the state of affairs with the events of Thursday evening. His kindness made me teary, which many people saw, which is not my favorite thing. I was a little low on sleep and resilience.

Thursday evening I had these text message exchanges with my children:
Me to Amelia, 5:31 p.m.: Hi Amelia. Where are you and what's your plan for coming home?
Me to Amelia, 6:00 p.m.: Please check in. Remember you have percussion at 6:30.
Me to Tommy, 6:01 p.m.: Please check in. Remember you have percussion at 6:30.
Amelia, 6:07 p.m.: Okay
Amelia, 6:07 p.m.: I am with tommy
Me to Amelia, 6:08 p.m.: Where? Dinner is ready.
Me to Tommy, 6:17 p.m. What is your plan for getting to percussion?
Amelia, 6:47 p.m.: Ginny's [the percussion teacher]

They had been at Ben's house and had walked to their lesson. I suspect that they were 17 minutes late, having underestimated how long it would take to get there. I waited in the teacher's driveway at the end of the lesson. They came out and walked right past the car. It was around 17 degrees.

Some good things today:
Someone I sometimes struggle to respect bore a lovely testimony that I could sincerely appreciate.
Rick played the organ.
Rick also played piano in Primary, including the old-school accompaniment to "Baptism."
Marilyn did singing time.
Chatting with a few different people after church.
Knowing there's any number of people who are genuinely concerned about me and my children.

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