DETROIT – Well, after nearly five months off the air I am coming back to work!  I can't put into words how excited I am to not only be back on the air but to be able physically to walk into Local Four on my own without assistance and perform my job.

Stop and smell the roses

I've shared with all of you my health battles since early March as well as the birth of my baby girl - Morgan.  I've been able to spend eight weeks home now with my newborn as well as my 2.5 year old Madison and I have to say it's been some of the best weeks of my life. 

For the first time I have really taken time as they say to "smell the roses".  I share with you what I have learned and how I have changed because maybe somehow in some way I may be able to help you. 

The past 8 weeks

The past eight weeks have been filled with endless diaper changes, breastfeeding's, and a lack of sleep -- but that is expected and what all moms go through.  What I did not expect though was the peace I would experience.  I know you are saying" Peace? With a newborn and toddler in the house?  What are you talking about ?"  But to tell you the truth it's a change in mindset.

For the first time since I was a child I took the time to lay down in the grass with my two year old and stare at the clouds, then we flipped to our tummies and looked for ants, The peace that came with not trying to RUSH through the moment to do something else was so freeing it is unbelievable.

Of course moms enjoy their newborns I'm not telling you anything new -- but I really really took the TIME to really live in the moment with Morgan.  Whether it was a feeding, time to smile at her, or make cooing noises I really experienced the moment.  I say this because when I was sick I wasn't even sure I could physically take care of my new baby, wasn't sure if I could stand, or be able to hold her.  Now that I was able to do these things I really enjoyed them and lived in the moment.  Of course there are times I am sleep deprived, etc.  But what I'm saying is -- we all have been through rough times and we hope and pray we get through them.  Then once we do many times we forget and go back to our old ways.  I will not do that. I didn't go through all that pain to not learn and become a better person.  From now on I won't be so busy planning tomorrow to forget to live today.

Stop the worry!

Another life lesson I'm sharing --- stop the worry!  If you really think about it - worry is really your reaction to something negative you made up in your mind.  It is not real.  You are just imagining something negative to happen then reacting to it.  I could have sat there in that hospital bed and worried and worried --but that would have done nothing.  Instead I chose to be positive and create a positive outcome.  Seriously try to apply this in your life it really can make a difference. 

I can't put into words how excited I am to physically be able to work.    I will be back on the air officially July 30th, but will be anchoring the 530 and 11pm on Friday the 20th.  I have to tell you when I hear that news open roll when I'm sitting on the news desk I will be saying to myself "I can't believe it -- I'm better, I'm here, and I'm ready to work!"  

Of course I'll be looking for stories - especially anything anyone wants investigated!  So keep me in mind - drop me an email if you have a story you want me to check out - I would love to!

Karen Drew will return to anchor Local 4 news at 5:30 and 11 on Friday 7/20/12

Slideshow: Karen Drew's growing family