Hollow ...

... like a chocolate Easter bunny.

In the past day, to two different people, I've found myself saying a lot of things that were said to me not all that long ago.

"You can't fear what you don't know yet."
"There's no reason to think the absolute worst."
"Let's wait and see what the tests say."
"Do NOT assume that 'x' is what's happening here."
"Maybe the scanner was faulty."
"Maybe the material was faulty."
"Maybe everyone is just being extra careful."

When these things were being said to me, I hardly actually heard them at all. Nothing could overpower the narrative in my head - the constant voice o' doom that only knew the worst possible outcome to everything. I do remember that I'd hoped that those folk saying those things found some comfort in what they were saying because ... well ... honestly, I couldn't hear a word.

Well - I'm here to tell you that actually saying these things brings no comfort either. I wish that I could report something else. But after having said these things or something like them, to other folks, I've actually followed up by saying "damn, that's so hollow-sounding".

And it's not because I don't think that ^those things up there^ aren't true. I DO believe in not being afraid of the "what if" 'cause if ya' are .. if you LIVE that way ... you'll quickly go crazy. And yanno - scanners DO go bad. And folks DO make errors on the side of caution. But I also know that bad things happen all the time. Tragic things. Wicked things. And it'd be ignorant to pretend otherwise.

I think we say these things because it's a way to express that we care. That we, as friends, as family, as humans, have hope. That we want to support those around us no matter WHAT is happening.

That's when "you" becomes "us". And there's more power behind "us" than there ever could be in "me".