"Someone asked me what I believed about tragedies and God's part in all of them. I believe that we don't know what the future will bring.

Human beings have free agency to choose what to do and when to do it. And God is there to guide us and teach us right from wrong. Blaming Him for tragedies after thanking Him for joys doesn't work. I am a firm believer in thanking Him for all things - even the unfair, disgusting, unbelievable - because I just don't have all the answers. Heavenly Father helps me cope but I do the choosing.

Of course, at the same time, others are choosing, too; and then there are physical, environmental and other factors to deal with. Actually, it's a wonder that any one of us has survived this long, and generations before us!

I say focus on the joys in life. Every day is a new canvas on which to paint the story of your life. So grab a big brush!"