Words Cannot Describe

Last weekend, weather forecasters repeatedly gave their warning of the possible wrath that could be caused by SANDY. I was concerned... for my family... for my friends... for my "home" state.

Monday came and I checked in with my parents... sister... 3 brothers... and some friends - all who live in New Jersey.  It was rainy and windy and Sandy was coming toward the shoreline with FULL force.

(do you see the "y" in New York City? -  That is the where I grew up - where my parents and sister and 3 brothers now live.)


I received phone calls around 8pm that they lost their power by around dinner time but I kept myself busy so I wouldn't think too much about them... although I tried to keep praying.


Monday night came and it was reported that SANDY had come on shore, heading across the state of New Jersey around 8pm.  I watched some news/ weather reporting, but finally went to bed just wishing the night would end so that the storm could be over.  I woke up several times that night... each time checking the clock to see if I could get up and call my parents to check on them.  ... Finally, the dawn arrived and I got up, headed downstairs to make my coffee, turn on the fireplace and turn on the TV. 

Devastation.  Complete devastation.  Of so many familiar places in my "home" state. 

The Jersey Shore... where I spent many fun summer times during the summers.

The amusement park at Seaside Heights - the roller coaster! - IN the ocean!

The beautiful trees for which the wonderful 'Garden State' is known.

Its been a couple days... 4 to be exact.  The power is still out in a very large percentage of homes in the state.  Many people's homes are flooded or worse yet, completely destroyed or swept away by the storm surge.  My family and I watch the reports on the tv and know that what we are seeing in the videos doesn't even come close to portraying how awful things are there.  -  Makes us feel helpless.

My parents still don't have power and don't know when they will get it back. Same with my brother and his family and my sister and her family.  Thankfully, they have generators - and most importantly, they have a roof over their heads and they are alive and well.

.... I am!!

(For a long time, I have been wanting to start writing a blog (again).  I often find myself wanting to say more... although maybe nobody cares to listen to or read  what I have to say or write. ;)  But - there are often things I want to express... and not on facebook.  So, here I go....)

**click on the link at the bottom of this page to listen to a song that goes with this post/ blog**

The title of this - my first post -  is the reason I named my blog "Beautifully Blest".  -  Because I AM!!  Of course the obvious examples of this are my husband and my children.  I hope to highlight these and many of my blessings through coming blog posts, but for today, my focus is one that I've come to appreciate greatly in recent weeks and months.  My health.  God has blessed me with good health - which I didn't realize was so precious until about a year ago.  

Last fall was tough.  And stressful.  I never 'in a million years' thought I would hear a doctor tell me that there was cancer in my body.  NO! There isn't even a high incidence of it in my family or extended family.  Heart disease, diabetes ... maybe.  But not cancer!  Thanks be to God that my wonderful and amazing doctor was proactive and this was discovered at a very early stage.  Other than the initial surgery, no treatments were needed.  Now, I see an oncologist regularly - another wonderful and amazing doctor for whom I am eternally grateful.  I truly believe that my guardian angel was working through these two doctors!

Today, almost a year after that initial surgery,  I am healthy and feel great.  So you see, 'beautifully blest' - I AM! Thank you God!