By Lois Hewitt

Good morning Mr. Sun.  With you, came a new day after a dark, cold night.  Your warmth and light penetrate my soul.  Open my eyes and open my heart.

I need to apologize to you all and to the world.  The last month has thrown a few curveballs my way and in typical Lois fashion, I simply went fetal and cried. As Mike would say, like a giant baby. Lol

But the sun today reminded me of the uncountable blessings that have covered me.  So many around me have so many more troubles.  So many more losses. 

You look around and wonder how one house was completely damaged and the ones on either side were untouched.  But the reality is everyone was touched in some way.  In different ways.

Many lives were lost and that remains a somber reminder of what has happened.  Never will any of us forget those souls that did not get to see a new day.  May they be in the Lord’s loving arms.

Many lost everything they owned.  Baby pictures.  Sentimental gifts.  So many things that you just can’t replace. I’m so sorry and my heart goes out to you as you try to rebuild a new life.

As I sit here in safety I am reminded of those not as fortunate and I truly pray for them and will continue to for a very long time.

As I look ahead, my surgery has been rescheduled and hopefully that can get done and I can start to heal.

Healing. We all need that now.  Along with healing one must embrace gratitude.  The old saying that it could be worse rings clear and true today.

When you are in the middle of any crisis it becomes difficult to see the worst, as it feels the worst at the time.  But the new day comes and it is clear that you have been blessed.  Not necessarily in a way you expected. 

Blessings are funny that way, they are often the opposite of what we think we deserve.  It’s so easy to look a gifted blessing in the mouth, so to speak, and want to reject it.  Then the new day comes and you can see that blessing for the true gift it is.

Again I apologize to everyone for my posts that were fueled by fear and uncertainty.  I should have kept my thoughts to myself. 

Today I sit here and I am thankful for God’s unending protection and His gifts.  I live with some guilt that so many have protected me and provided for me, as undeserving as I am.

Ungrateful I was, not intentionally, but in truth.  I could not see past my own reflection.  But today I can and I’m thankful to Jesus for taking care of me and for providing angels on earth to care, not only for me, but so many in need.

Life has a way of testing each of us.  Each test is different in scope and intensity. You can spend all day comparing your pain against someone else’s but that’s not productive.

Your lesson is different than my lesson. Whether it is a hurricane, cancer, loss of a job, passing of a loved one, or any other curveball…it is yours.  My suggestion will always be to pray for peace and understanding.

The last couple of weeks I had no words to pray, overwhelmed. The beauty part is Jesus already knows the need. Just wait out the confusion part and then the words will return.  With the prayers come healing. 

I’m probably not going to post much in the next couple of weeks as I convelse or I may not be quiet at all.  One never knows.

Thank you all seriously for all your prayers and well wishes.  I am blessed without measure. I hope, no matter, where you are today, you are able to see your blessings and start to heal. Today is truly a new day. God bless you all!