I waited for You. With head tilted back, squinting into a mixture of sun and clouds. With heaviness of heart, the physical effect of anxiety, the compressed breath of anticipation. With a silent but salient prayer released, as a balloon of remembrance upward to Heaven. Until it was almost indiscernible against a hazy sky.

And You hear. And You hold, close. Just as we hold and hug our children to ease their pain, their heads buried into our chest, sobbing quietly. But infinitely more.

If they were only visible. Perhaps many are, but we don't see them. Your blessings. Your protection and preservation. Your grace, mercy, and love. Oh my...

You release them like a flood. Like a flurry of balloons from a celebratory party. Confetti-laced shapes cascading from above. Too many to count. To numerous to avoid being showered in blessings.

You release pieces of eternity, for me now. I am blessed.