This week – I had what could be called a – ‘grey day’ – with two lots of sad news – one quickly following the other.

Now – while both those incidents affected me – I was aware that others were finding it much harder – to navigate the darkness – only being aware of the dark clouds overhead.

And – I remembered one of the drawings by Charlie Mackesy – where the boy says – “Those are dark clouds” – to which the horse replies – “Yes – but they will move on – the blue sky above – never leaves” – or – to put it another way – “Grey skies are just clouds passing over”.

Those dark – grey days – will appear – I have lived through many of them – but know the truth that – they don’t stay dark forever – those clouds do get smaller – and the sun continues to shine through.

I came across this poem – which I thought expressed this well.

“There is a dark cloud above my head – that will not go away – following me everywhere – blocking out my sunny day – but it won’t last forever – I know that to be true – over time that cloud will get smaller – and reveal a sky of blue”

I find it’s good – not only to remind myself that those stormy days do pass – but also – how important it is – to learn how to walk through them – or even – to – ‘dance’ – through them.

As this quote goes – “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass – it’s about learning to – dance in the rain”.

And – yes – it’s difficult to dance at times when all seems so heavy and dark – but – when we do – our spirits are lifted – and we learn that we can walk on – even when those dark clouds linger.

It’s often said that life’s experiences make us who we are – they strengthen us – and teach us so much.

Someone put it this way – “The souls that have seen the darkest days – can shine the brightest light – keep going”.

And so – when I experience those grey days – I can encourage myself – remember other dark days – and how those clouds moved on – how the blue always remained – even when at times I couldn’t see it.

And I hope – that I might help to shine some light for others – when they find themselves surrounded by the darkness – that I can take them by the hand – and teach them – maybe with faltering steps at first – to dance – through the storm.

Blessings – Lois.