Tuesday, November 27, 2007


Amy wanted to know "what brings you joy"? I have been trying to come up with a good answer to that one for a few days. It's easy to say my family because they bring me the most profound joy. After some minor (very minor) teenage turbulence, my girls have grown into lovely women. My relationship with them brings me joy. I am always amazed that they seek out my company. I am their mother but it feels like we can become friends as well.

Coming home at the end of a work day when I managed to make it through the bureaucratic red tape that is social work in the 21st century and actually helped someone. This brings me joy. Most of the time my job is paperwork and phone calls. But sometimes there is real human contact where I can make a positive difference in someone's life. When one of my clients says "thanks. talking to you always lifts me up and makes things better" then I know that I am doing what I was meant to do. This brings me joy. I can't imagine doing anything else. (Although I need to remind myself this when the phone rings and the paperwork calls!)

Finding a gift and giving it to someone gives me joy. I love to listen all year when someone says "I would really like ...." and then hunt it down and watch their face as they open the gift on Christmas morning, or for a birthday. Surprises like that bring me joy.

The new friends I have made this last year writing this blog. You all bring me joy. I have laughed and cried with you. We have celebrated victories and commiserated over losses. It is a world of support that I was not aware of and now cherish.

Music brings me joy. The Fur Elise by Beethoven has brought me to tears. Hearing the Star Spangled Banner or America the Beautiful sung by a crowd makes me cry with joy for the wonderful dream that is our country. It's still there under the cynicism.

Watching my husband gives me joy. He is so darn cute most of the time. A 12 year old who refuses to grow up, an appreciative man who still thinks I am beautiful, a father who tried so hard to be the best he could be, a friend who I can grow old with and with whom I am never bored.
Learning new skills, meeting new people, reading new books, smelling new yarn, touching old furniture, looking at old paintings, golden days and starlit nights, camping in the woods, stories around the campfire with the light golden on my children's faces.....all these things bring me joy.

My children tease me because I believe what Walt Whitman said about there being a miracle in every square inch of creation. Well, there is an awful lot of joy in there, too.

Thanks, Amy.

17 comments:

amy said...

I'm always amazed at the ripples a post can create. I'm still thinking on that post, too. Thank you for yours, as well.

Olivia said...

What a lovely long list. You really take a lot of joy in life. It is really nice to see this, since so many people don't (or can't see how to).

Rose Red said...

Thank you for thinking on this and sharing. Sometimes it is hard to find the joy in work stuff - I think I probably haven't been looking hard enough lately.

teabird said...

I share your joy in Fur Elise. I used to play it, and I never took it for granted, "saw" that it may be. The rise and fall of the melody, the flow of the left hand. It's one of the most loving and gentle melodies, and one of the most evocative.

roxie said...

Reading your blog just brought me joy. Thank you for affirming and renewing the attitude of gratitude.

Dianne said...

Lots to think about... Thanks for sharing this post.

Donna said...

Thanks for all the insight. We all have much joy in our lives. P.S. you've been tagged...check it out!

colleen said...

It took me longer to choose a yarn than to make the hat. It was a quickie- under 2 hours i'd say.

TinkingBell said...

How wonderful - what a great list - and notice how it's the simple things - not the stuff (well except sock yarn) that give us the most joy - people and their creations!

Sheepish Annie said...

Very timely! This time of year, I always find myself getting caught up in the stress of the season and forgetting the things that make it so joyous.

Anonymous said...

this is a good list. inspiring to read, something to think about. it makes me happy to hear that your daughters bring you joy.

Anonymous said...

Very eloquent. And how lucky that you think your husband is cute. . .

elanor said...

ah, but mom, it's amusing whenever you mention the miracles.

i just started my own blog, so feel free to drop by.

Amy Lane said...

Wow--I must say that this post (and your ever present, awesome and hard-won, hard-worked-for serenity) has brought me a lot of joy as well.

Susan Pandorf said...

Amen, sister!

Georgie said...

Thanks for sharing such a thoughful and insightful post. Im really glad that your work -sometimes! - is a source of joy; many people dont have this. Its great that you've found that balance.

jenfromRI said...

Thank you for those thoughts, that was just lovely.

Happy Sunday!  I am sitting here working on my sweater made with the cashmere yarn my husband gave me for my birthday last year. I’m further...