New Beginnings

How do we describe those times when we feel out of sync, as if we’ve lost ourselves?
I’ve been there for a while, actually years. No matter what I do I never seem able to return to
what felt “normal”. But why?

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My malaise began in the summer of 2017 when my sister told me she had renal cell
carcinoma and then asked me NOT to look it up. I did of course. She died December 22 2017.

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I felt lost without her. She truly was my best friend and I still have a hole in my life
where she used to live.

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Myrn’s death was only the beginning of change for me.
My mother passed six weeks later in February of 2018.
My grief was deep and long-lasting. I lost the wind in my sails.
And then there was the pandemic and its aftermath. We’ve lost so many, and the world
is not the same.

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In the midst of all that, I was diagnosed with the same cancer that killed my sister.
However, I’ve had a better outcome and am now cancer free. And with all the rest of life’s
surprises it’s taken me a while to find my way back to what I might describe as “normal”, except
I don’t think normal exists anymore.

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It’s been difficult to maintain my place in this world, to be there for my children and
grandchildren, my husband and my friends. And my energy was depleted and I struggled to
create more stories. I knew God was there and that He waited for me. And when I was ready,
He gathered me in His arms and set me on solid ground and stands there with me.

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And now, the Valley Series is finally complete and book three is here.
I’m better and launching myself, in a way—my life, my career and my new website and
blog. This is my first blog post on my new site.

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I wish I had magical words of wisdom to offer, but what I have is just down-to-earth
advice.

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Don’t buy the enemy’s lie that you’re alone. And the mystery and beauty in life has
retreated for good.

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We are never alone. Life is beautiful. God is with us and His promises are new every
morning.

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Joshua 1:9 reminds me. It says…
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be
discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
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Life isn’t perfect, but take heart God has us in His hands. He will care for us. He will bind
up our wounds. He will lead us in the way we should go.

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I am the Lord’s and so are you.

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Grace and peace to you from God.

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Bonnie

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