How near are they to you, Switter? Maybe a little road trip? We enjoyed time with the older kiddo in March out in Arizona, so this surprise for her dad brought two visits nearly back-to-back. I suspect it'll be 2027 before we meet in person again. I'm trying not to think about that too much. Thanks for inspiring some good perspective here.
My daughter and SIL live about 70 miles away and my son and DIL live in Calgary, AB. It used to be about a 19 hour drive when they were in college south of Edmonton, but Calgary is much closer. I always enjoyed the trip, so the 19 hours was not unpleasant.
Joy indeed has arrived at your house in the human form of "presence "...This name of your illusive friend.. Joy....happens to be one of my favorite repetitions...joy...joy...joy...I believe it is our human calling to ALWAYS seek this "lady" of contentment...i.e. just can't live without her..Want to know my favorite words that lovingly force me "joyward"?..just happen to have them....
"Gratitude transforms the torment of memory of good things now gone into silent joy. One bears what was lovely in the past not as a thorn but as precious"
Thank you, Elizabeth for including my post from the archives. I'm so glad you are with your daughters ❤️
My joy came from a friend yesterday who spent his one day off driving me out to the burbs (3+ hours roundtrip) to take me to his audiologist. The first thing she told me was "Hope is the anchor of the soul," and she intended to give me some. She asked me to tell her the stories of my tattoos and she told me all about her son who is studying irenology in Kuala Lumpur. Not your usual doctor's visit. My friend stayed for the whole visit as my advocate. She asked how we knew one another and he told her, "We are very close friends." It was a good day. :)
Grateful to know you'd be okay with me sharing that piece, Eileen. And wow -- what a friend to not just hang with you for that whole visit but to know how much a good healthcare provider matters! I'm so glad you had a good experience, clearly worth the drive!
Ahh...yes. There are some heavy moments in an otherwise bright piece, Kim. Thank you for acknowledging that, for feeling them with me, and for celebrating this reunion with us!
Intentional joy, then, right? It does require something of a mindset, and the landscape we're navigating can make it easy to lose focus. Love the "Do not care club!" I think a lot of people in the world (or at least in this country) need to care less about getting the upper hand and care more about lending a hand! Thanks for the happy wishes, Suzanne.
No grands here (yet), so we'll have to see how that evolves. Good thing we get a hefty dose of smiles from the OG offspring. :) Thanks for stopping by, Darrell.
Wonderful, yes. (I just can't let myself think about how soon it's going to be over.) Pictures like these are my best tool for remembering times like these. 💚
"Roots and wings"! How wonderful and yet how painful, (even as a physical ache ) to be present as our children soar! I recently spent a joyous visit with my son and his family in Hawaii. Seeing him as a husband,father,clinician successful, loving, and kind filled my heart. Then coming home and spending a lovely afternoon with two adolescent grandsons who were conversant , funny, and contemplative was a gift to treasure when their lives are increasingly busy. Joy, indeed!
Susan, the first two lines here are everything. 100% yes! Years ago, I finished off a pair of hand painted child's chairs with my girl's hand prints and paint dipped feathers. Across the front, I wrote "Hands to hold, wings to fly." We still have those chairs in "their rooms" on the second floor. It is a marvelous thing to experience the transformations. Thank you so much for sharing the joy with me.
Hope you are absolutely swimming in joy this week! There *is* a lot going on. I hope you are able to give yourself permission to step away from it and into time with your daughters. The rest of the world will still be here later, ya know?
It's been immersive, Rita, and I won't be ready for it to end when it does a little more than 24 hours from now. I appreciate the reminder to take the time I need. There really has been little choice in the matter, which is exactly as it should be. Thank you, my friend. You do understand, and I am grateful.
I saw the lovely, goofy photos of your daughters and Joy tapped me on the shoulder.
Those pictures made me smile, too, Rona. They remind me of old-school photo booth pictures. Thanks for sharing in the fun with us.
I could use a good dose of my kids. We text and call a lot, but nothing beats face to face.
How near are they to you, Switter? Maybe a little road trip? We enjoyed time with the older kiddo in March out in Arizona, so this surprise for her dad brought two visits nearly back-to-back. I suspect it'll be 2027 before we meet in person again. I'm trying not to think about that too much. Thanks for inspiring some good perspective here.
My daughter and SIL live about 70 miles away and my son and DIL live in Calgary, AB. It used to be about a 19 hour drive when they were in college south of Edmonton, but Calgary is much closer. I always enjoyed the trip, so the 19 hours was not unpleasant.
19 hours straight through? You're a stronger man than I! 😅
I don’t know what to say! 🤪
But there are many ways I could respond.
Joy indeed has arrived at your house in the human form of "presence "...This name of your illusive friend.. Joy....happens to be one of my favorite repetitions...joy...joy...joy...I believe it is our human calling to ALWAYS seek this "lady" of contentment...i.e. just can't live without her..Want to know my favorite words that lovingly force me "joyward"?..just happen to have them....
"Gratitude transforms the torment of memory of good things now gone into silent joy. One bears what was lovely in the past not as a thorn but as precious"
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Yay....Joy!
Fabulous, Barry, thank you! You wear joy like a beautiful smile, and it rubs off on everyone you meet. Lucky us!
What a joyful occasion awaits you this week. Enjoy!
Thanks, Teresa. The time will go too fast, but I'm savoring every minute.
Thank you, Elizabeth for including my post from the archives. I'm so glad you are with your daughters ❤️
My joy came from a friend yesterday who spent his one day off driving me out to the burbs (3+ hours roundtrip) to take me to his audiologist. The first thing she told me was "Hope is the anchor of the soul," and she intended to give me some. She asked me to tell her the stories of my tattoos and she told me all about her son who is studying irenology in Kuala Lumpur. Not your usual doctor's visit. My friend stayed for the whole visit as my advocate. She asked how we knew one another and he told her, "We are very close friends." It was a good day. :)
Grateful to know you'd be okay with me sharing that piece, Eileen. And wow -- what a friend to not just hang with you for that whole visit but to know how much a good healthcare provider matters! I'm so glad you had a good experience, clearly worth the drive!
Ooph. So much here hit hard, mid-gut. And the girls. Oh! The joy of having family gathered! Enjoy... enjoy.
Ahh...yes. There are some heavy moments in an otherwise bright piece, Kim. Thank you for acknowledging that, for feeling them with me, and for celebrating this reunion with us!
Beautiful! I hope you and your girls keep Joy hopping through your time together! ❤️
Thank you! Grateful to know you're out there feeling the happiness alongside us.
My Joy this week is easy. Being home.
I am such a lucky mom!! Love you, Rachel B. 💗
Welcome home to your two beautiful daughters! Wishing you all the joys of late springtime and being together 🥰
Thank you, Karen. We are soaking up the togetherness! I know you understand.
A pocketful of happiness...
Yes -- and so full. Thanks, Prue.
Yes, Joy is there, but we have to stop and think about it which is sometimes hard.
Enjoy the time with your girls, so special.
And have you seen the woman on Facebook who started the “I do not care” club? Hilarious!
Intentional joy, then, right? It does require something of a mindset, and the landscape we're navigating can make it easy to lose focus. Love the "Do not care club!" I think a lot of people in the world (or at least in this country) need to care less about getting the upper hand and care more about lending a hand! Thanks for the happy wishes, Suzanne.
The photos of your daughters makes me smile. My children are quite a bit older and bring us joy. And their children double up on that.
No grands here (yet), so we'll have to see how that evolves. Good thing we get a hefty dose of smiles from the OG offspring. :) Thanks for stopping by, Darrell.
Hope you are having a wonderful visit. Priceless photos.
Wonderful, yes. (I just can't let myself think about how soon it's going to be over.) Pictures like these are my best tool for remembering times like these. 💚
"Roots and wings"! How wonderful and yet how painful, (even as a physical ache ) to be present as our children soar! I recently spent a joyous visit with my son and his family in Hawaii. Seeing him as a husband,father,clinician successful, loving, and kind filled my heart. Then coming home and spending a lovely afternoon with two adolescent grandsons who were conversant , funny, and contemplative was a gift to treasure when their lives are increasingly busy. Joy, indeed!
Susan, the first two lines here are everything. 100% yes! Years ago, I finished off a pair of hand painted child's chairs with my girl's hand prints and paint dipped feathers. Across the front, I wrote "Hands to hold, wings to fly." We still have those chairs in "their rooms" on the second floor. It is a marvelous thing to experience the transformations. Thank you so much for sharing the joy with me.
Hope you are absolutely swimming in joy this week! There *is* a lot going on. I hope you are able to give yourself permission to step away from it and into time with your daughters. The rest of the world will still be here later, ya know?
It's been immersive, Rita, and I won't be ready for it to end when it does a little more than 24 hours from now. I appreciate the reminder to take the time I need. There really has been little choice in the matter, which is exactly as it should be. Thank you, my friend. You do understand, and I am grateful.
Yes! 🙌 Testify! With you!
Thank you!! That feels empowering!