Monday, May 4, 2020

Between a Rock and Reality


As a writer, I could not imagine I would be putting words to paper, during a pandemic.


No matter what, I feel it is important for me to continue edits on my book, composing drafts, and releasing my fears through font.

Being an imperfect believer, I feel every aspect of what our world is going through, God is part of the coronavirus… but not what some may think.

In reflecting on the past months, I can drawn a straight line and correlate the before and after of my journey. In doing so, I see things may not always be, what they appear. Pieces of a bigger picture that if one were to map it out, over time, the clarity of each situation has brought me to the place where I am at.

When I was evicted and thrust into the middle of the virus, I needed to believe there was purpose in my pain. In seeking shelter, I had to pray more than stars aligning to bring me luck. I found myself packing up and moving out in only 10 days, by landlords whose motives became clear. Friends had facilitated me securing work and one helped me move, some of my things into storage. As I scoured the landscape looking for a place to land, I found The Days Inn on the Harbour. From the minute, my feet stepped into the hotel, I was welcomed by Lynn. Her warmth was evident in the way she spoke. She offered assurance, the Days Inn would do all they could, to accommodate me. I was planning to stay for a few nights, in order to figure things out. At the front desk, my room was upgraded to a kitchen unit, with two beds. I opened the curtains to reveal an incredible ocean view, spanning across the inner harbour. Walking over to the nightstand, I opened the drawer and pulled out The Holy Book. Flipping open to a page, I let my eyes scan to the passage of hope, I needed.

While a guest at the hotel, I was able to pour over more edits; Liam Ford https://www.liamford.com/ had spent his valued time on my novel. I went through every line and compared, making notes. Being able to solely focus on my book, allowed me to settle on any adjustments, I felt were needed. As I neared the end, I held back on the last two chapters, as I pondered the next setting I would be in.

One month later, I found myself checking out of The Days Inn on the Harbour. I had been treated with utmost care and outstanding customer service by staff. Lynn, Mike, Mark, Lavern, and Gabriela, made my stay, a comfortable one. We shared in conversations, laughter, and some normalcy in the midst of COVID-19. One of the Front Desk Managers, Mike- was a combination of a young Hugh Laurie and Kiefer Sutherland. When my movie channel played a week of Sutherland flicks, Mike took all the silly jokes I teased him, with a good sense of humour. Lynn went beyond any customer service expectations and I was treated to beautiful gestures, from the heart.

Easter treats from Lynn
The General Manager, Darryl Wilson extended his services, by engaging in talks of community matters. When I was laid off my job, the hotel offered their support. When it came time to search for a new place to move into, Darryl gave me a pep talk, which lit a fire underneath me. He also offered, if I required it, to provide a reference for me. I was humbled by this, as how often does a General Manager of a hotel, offer to do so!

It was during my time at the hotel and before packing up, I researched the origins of where I had been staying. Lynn had on one occasion asked me, “Why did you chose here, to stay with us?” I pointed to the heavens and replied, “I think there was a higher power at hand.”


In my room, sitting at the desk, I began reading with interest about the founder of The Days Inn~ Cecil B. Day.

“Day founded Days Inn on Tybee Island, Georgia, in 1970. He proposed the idea as a means of using a piece of land he owned on the island. When the first Days Inn opened, Day could not find maid service, so he had his children make up the rooms' beds. Also, a truck that delivered furniture was too heavy for the bridge onto the island, so Day's mother hauled furniture onto the island in her station wagon. Despite the criticism that Day faced from friends for wanting to start a new lodging option on a "no-name island" with a flagging tourist economy, the first Days Inn was 100 percent occupied by April 1970. Through the 1970s hotel guests could take home a paperback Bible from their guest rooms for free. Day, who was a devout Christian, also offered a network of chaplains to provide ministry at each motel.”
Source: Wikipedia

Closing my own Bible set beside me, I smiled and nodded my head. Upon final check-out, I said my farewells and mentioned Cecil B. Day. It was confirmation of the Lord’s grace upon me, during these trying times. Before parting, Lynn gifted me more presents, which are now part of my new accommodations. I will never forget, the kindness shown to me, when I had been ousted to the streets. Looking back, I am comforted to know, these caring hearts saw someone in need and helped me.
My beautiful parting gifts from Lynn included 3 tokens of Guidance, Strength and Peace, plus more!
In securing my new place, I turned to Airbnb. Having previously stayed at various locations, I had great experiences. Much to my delight, my research brought me to a place, where there was a tree house for rent! To say I was over the moon is an understatement. I thought of completing book edits, in a place which is featured throughout my novel, Under the Sitka Tree. After speaking with the owner, we agreed on a time to travel the distance to see the tree house. That morning, I woke up early and before I could depart, received an email. The rental was no longer available. The door was closed, and I was dejected.

I found myself in prayer and asking the Lord to guide my next steps. Going back on-line to Airbnb, I was not ready to give up. Soon, I found a single cabin on a farmhouse acreage. I loved the idea to be surrounded in a space, where I be inspired.


Having a sense that this was where I truly was meant to be, I booked it and as my post is being written, it is from my little cabin. The details to my lodging show craftsmanship, ingenuity, and lots of personal touches. I was welcomed with farm fresh eggs, bread, proper bacon, and chocolate chunk cookies. Upon putting my clothes away in the drawer, I made a discovery that instilled in me the Lord had brought me here. A small Bible with a cross and the word Redemption, had been left by a previous guest.




Since my experiences with Airbnb has always been positive, I felt it was a wonderful choice to stay, even for a month. Previous Hosts have given me terrific feedback. Along with the Hotel Manager glowing remarks, this helped me to overcome the ordeal I went through, at my very last house and pet sit.


Often it takes months, sometimes years, before we can truly have an idea of the ripple effects on our lives- by the misguided actions of others.


As I thought about my journey, I could see both the good versus the bad. Looking at times where I might have blamed God, I made the decision not to. This has helped me march on....


In my progression, I was free of anything that anchored me to the enemy. A strong example of this is when my daughter, Shayla died. Never once did I hold the Lord responsible. It was a man-made faulty design of a treacherous road, wrapped around an overfilled, frozen reservoir, which caused her death. Shayla’s in-experience as a new driver and a car overloaded with her stuff, also were contributing factors.


I have said it from the beginning in December 2011…Jesus was never at fault. Instead, he was there to welcome her home.

Since the coronavirus has struck earth, taken lives with a merciless force, and forever changed our world, I have watched…and heard, repeated by some: “Why did God do this?”

In the depths of my soul, I do not believe Our Creator, is behind this.

Looking at the possible source, it points to a man-made decision. One in which spread across the nations, in a fury of deaths, losses and destruction. While I talk of lives that have succumbed to this terrible virus, I am also speaking of the demise of other important matters: the end of a family business, the loss of our freedom to hug a grandchild, not being able to attend the funeral of a loved one and our vulnerable elders. Consideration also needed to be given to those who as a cultural, are feeling the deep rooted pain of racism and segregation.

As an angry filled ocean of those looking to blame, continues to swirls around us, we as a society find it hard to take responsibility. We may look up, down and all around, but the source of where this originated from, has a hard time facing it in the mirror.

The reality is when great things happen, we all give high- fives or pat ourselves on the back. Yet when bad things happen, the backslide is to shake our fists to the heavens and declare:

“What kind of a God would do this?”

When I read the updated numbers- on those who have died of COVID-19 and who has survived- my prayers on my knees, are equal.

As we open up and see for ourselves, the HOPE that has come out of something so evil, maybe we will ensure the right source, is held accountable.



by TL Alton