Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: JOIE DE VIVRE (delight in being alive) (08/18/16)
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TITLE: Choosing Joy | Previous Challenge Entry
By Sara Daigle
08/20/16 -
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ADD TO MY FAVORITES
He even thanked my husband for being a police officer, and then, he thanked me for being a cop's wife.
Some people choose not to be frustrated when they could be, and to give joy instead.
I left the phone before we finished because guests were arriving soon and I was unprepared for hosting two other families. Throwing table cloths, hastily stirring lemonade, sweeping porches-- you know, ladies, those moments when you want to reach a thousand ways but you're only one person.
My haste ended with a gigantic crash, broken glass, and sticky liquid dashing over the kitchen. Puddles formed inside drawers, drenching utensils and dripping through the cabinets.
It was one of those moments when you want to cry, but because you're an adult, you stare in shock before proceeding through the mess one inch at a time. The twelve year old daughter rushes in, and with her help, it was under control minutes before the guests arrived.
They left at a late hour and my guys went out the door in search of more rats to hunt (our shed is infested) while I crashed for a night's sleep.
The next morning dishes stood on the counter and I was exhausted after a short night. The water jugs were empty, and I took little buddy with me to fill them. There, on the mountain, we found joy in sunshine and fresh, clear mountain water hosed straight into those big blue jugs for another two week's supply.
There's so much joy to be found right in the middle of mundane moments.
Then there was the laptop to replace, and I could choose to go alone, or invite little sister along.
Creating joy.
I could have time alone, or I could create a morning to remember. I chose yes instead of no, and she ran off to put on her prettiest summer shirt. She asked for pigtails, those delightful, high pony tails that accent her brown eyes and soft cheeks dented deep with dimples.
We left the house and little buddy wanted to go, too. I looked at his stained T-shirt, hesitated, and then said, “Yes, hop in!” There's more joy in taking a little boy to town than having him stay because his shirt is stained from eating peaches and catching frogs.
Sometimes we get to choose joy for others, too.
Business was complete, and two little people buckled in the car. I could choose to go home, or create more joy by taking them on a date. I could go home to accomplish more, or sit in the sunshine with my favorites and eat ice cream.
Because what's more delightful than a little boy with a gigantic blue cast on his arm diving into ice cream on a hot day? Or a dimple cheeked girl with brown pig tails holding a lemon-y flavored cone?
Someone left a coffee cup on that outdoor table, old drips dried onto white ceramic. I read the words,
“Enjoy life. Cultivate relationships. Make a difference.”
We ate ice cream, talked about the challenge of school coming up, and took selfies just for fun and more memories. Her heart, her life, her thoughts, her happiness in the moment were all stacking up the joy for this mama's heart.
There's so much more to be enjoyed than we give ordinary moments credit for.
And then, because we get to choose joy, we entered a little shop just for fun. There, stacked on shelves, were some of my favorite wall hangings with words just for the moment. They grabbed at the core of me and some sort of raw, brave power rose inside.
“Be the woman that when the devil sees you get up in the morning, he says, “Oh, no! She's up!”
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Again a joy to read.