Monday, January 4, 2016

JOY....

I want to tell you all about my JOY.  I have lost it, but I'm determined to find it again.  I was sitting outside in my rocking chair and thinking about it.  As I thought I realized that I do have JOY.  So if you will bear with me I want to list some of the JOY in my life.


  • I have JOY because I was adopted by totally awesome people that were and are the best parents a girl could have.
  • I have JOY because I know that my Dad is joyful in heaven.
  • I have JOY because my dear Mother is still with us and is the best example to me and to all those who know her.
  • I have JOY because I have 5 beautiful, noble children who care for their Mother and do what they can for me.
  • I have JOY because I have 10 wonderful grandchildren.
  • I have JOY because I have a dog who wiggles all over when I come home, and a kitty who climbs on the back of the couch and snuggles up against my neck.
  • I have JOY because my birth brother and sisters found me and have become very important to me, I love them all very much.
  • I have JOY because I have a comfortable home and food to eat.
  • I have JOY because I believe in my Heavenly Father and his son Jesus Christ.
  • I have JOY because I have wonderful blogging friends that are nothing but supportive and loving to me.
  • I have JOY because I have relatives that are just the best!

The list goes on, and on.  My youngest daughter who was upset about her Grandpa dying, had a dream that her Grandfather was telling her that he has great JOY.  From that day on she sees the word JOY everywhere.  I even realized that I have a little plaque on my bookcase that says JOY.  

So, I intend to see JOY in everything I do.  Yes, it will be very hard at times.

My birth brother, Wayne and two of my birth sisters, Sylvia and SueAnn.  This picture brings much happiness to me.  I have met these two sisters and their sweet husbands.  I haven't met Wayne yet, but we have talked and exchange text messages.  I hope to travel to Sacramento, California in the next couple of months to spend time with them all.

I find JOY in the beautiful desert that I live in.  I just have to remember to see it and appreciate it.  Hopefully I'll get better at doing that!

Anyway, thanks for bearing with me.  This post was for me, to read and remember and keep moving forward, AND get my sense of humor back!

6 comments:

TexWisGirl said...

i can relate. the holidays are always a 'blue' time for me and this year was rougher than normal. i was happy to shake that off about a day ago, though, to get moving again. on my way to an appt this morning, i drove thru the tornado-ravaged area ne of dallas. completely sobering and i felt ashamed for my doldrums and blues.

Deb J. in Utah said...

Hello and Happy New Year. I love your pictures! I am also an adoptee and was reunited with my birth mother and siblings about 30 years ago when I was in my 20s. I hope you have a wonderful reunion. I love how you are finding so many things to be grateful for and happy about. We all have to make the choice everyday to look for our blessings and find joy in our journey. Thanks so much for this post!

Janice Grinyer said...

The days are getting longer; more time to enjoy what the day brings! ;) What a good looking bunch of siblings you got there - it will be fun when you finally get to meet ALL of them!

Rose said...

Oh, Susan, I need to sit down and list my JOYs...I always go through a rough time at the holidays. Yet I have so much to be thankful for. I am pulling out of it, but thanks for the reminder.

EG CameraGirl said...

Thinking positive thoughts is a great beginning, Susan! Sometimes it helps me to smile even if I don't feel like it. It seems to make life seem a tad brighter. I love your list of what brings you JOY.

How amazing you've met two of your birth siblings. I'm so glad it was a joyful experience! I know who my mother is/was but she never shared who my father was. So I have a puzzle in my background too. Luckily I had grandparents who loved me and took me in. ;)

Jeanne said...

Love your thinking on this Susan! When I feel down, I often think that I am just not "happy " for that moment, or week or whatever. I too think that joy is a much different thing and that we can have JOY even when we aren't having fun. I have a gratitude journal and love having it as it helps me refocus when I am not feeling too happy! loved hearing from you, and thanks for stopping by to say hi! I lost all of the list of people that I follow, and have not had the energy to "seek out everyone". Glad you have so much to be joyous for and good to hear from you!