C2to getcontrolofyourfeelingsandthoughts,especiallyaftershock,surprise, orlaughter:
I was sostunnedby what he'd said I had tocollectmyself before I couldreply.
Beforedescribingtheimpactof his wife'sdeathontheirchildren, hepausedtocollecthimself.
If youfeelscared, take abreath,collectyourself, andmoveon.
This is aplacewherepeoplecan come tositquietlyandcollecttheirthoughts.
You canseeby herexpressionthat she'scollectingherthoughts.