A Man and His Truck!

Jim realized one of his most fervent dreams today. He drove this bright red Chevy truck home from the dealership in Memphis.

And as I see Jim with his truck, I realize the tremendous love he has for me. For the past few years, because I really, really wanted him too, he drove a Ford SUV. We named her Suv, (pronounced Soove), but Jim has always had a truck, and if it weren't for his great love for me, he would not ever have been without a truck.

But my rationale was that we could all fit in Suv, especially when we lived so far from Liz and her family. I wanted everyone to fit in one car when we all visited. But now that we are living in Tennessee, we can drive more than one car - easily!

I watched him tonight as he took me for a drive, and I swear I could see his heart filling his chest with the pride that only a truck can bring to him. And I saw too, the full extent of his love for me.

I feel very blessed to have the love of this man. And I know he will enjoy driving, polishing, shining this Chevy truck - but he will not ever place it before his love for me. And I will not ever again ask him to make this sacrifice for me. For seeing his Joy brings me my Joy!

Here's to the Journey!

A Beautiful Day!

I have spent the day in so many wonderful activities. Meditating. Lighting Candles. Laundry. Burning Incense. Reading. Reading. Reading. Cooking. More Laundry. Reading. Reading. Meditating. Baking Bread. Eating. Loving.

This is the Good Life!

Here's to the Journey!

A New Dictionary

Our electric was out for a while yesterday, so my computer was shut down and I did not get to write my Joy.

Joy is a new dictionary.

Jim brought me a "new" dictionary yesterday. I knew it was old and I quickly looked in the front for the copyright date. It was printed in 1965 and is Webster's Seventh New Collegiate Dictionary by A. Merriam-Webster. I quickly lay the dictionary on my table, opened it to a page and I lay my hand on the pages saying to myself "I want to absorb these words".

I did all of this so quickly that I did not even realize my ritual until it was over. I love words. I love the way we all can use them. We can tell tales and stories of hope, desire, and love. We can manipulate the words of truth or lies until they fit our ears better. I love the expression that they add to our lives, I LOVE words. I love touching a dictionary. I love holding this priceless book with so many words, so many meanings. I love to look up the definition of a regular word that I use all the time. I love the reinforcement the meaning adds to my life. YES - this is the word I was looking for. This is the right word.

Joy (from my 1965 Dictionary) The emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune, or by the prospect of possessing what one desires: Delight.

Joy (from my 2007 American Heritage College Dictionary) Intense and ecstatic or exultant happiness. The expression or manifestation of such feeling. A source or object of pleasure or satisfaction. To take great pleasure, rejoice. To enjoy.

Indeed I have the right words for this Journey of Joy that I have commenced and that I have promised to write. This Journey is everything I hoped it would be, and the Joy is exactly as defined in my dictionaries.

Here's to the Journey!

How The Garden Grows

Last week when we were visiting Jim's mom she gave us a start of flowers. We are not sure what kind of flower they are, but they are very pretty with sage like leaves, and small purple/pink flowers. We finally planted them tonight in a corner of our back yard and in doing so begin to build a story of our garden. A few weeks ago I planted ferns and hostas from my friend, Margo's garden. The ferns were from her mom's garden, and already I am building a story of our garden.

Gardens are always better when friends and family share their plants. So I am going to share some of my plants with Liz, and I especially want to share a piece of Grandma's flowers with her. Then she too will begin to build a garden story.

Joy is sharing the garden.

Here's to the Journey!

I squeezed in 20 minutes of meditation this morning before Fynneus got up. Rollin soon followed and I quickly had my arms wrapped around both of them. I felt indescribable Joy listening to them tell me that they love me. They soon tired of the quiet time and headed upstairs to watch cartoons. It wasn't long before Tucker followed them and then we swiftly moved into our day.

Tennis, kick ball, art work, helping with a few chores and the day passed all too soon. I sit here now, telling Jim the stories of our day, savoring today's bread and wine, and knowing that this indescribable Joy fills my life completely.

Joy is allowing Joy to fill every nook and cranny of my life.

Here's to the Journey!

Early this morning as I sat in quiet meditation, I felt overwhelming appreciation for the beauty of my life.

This evening, as I shared dinner with our grandsons and helped them prepare for bed, I felt overwhelming appreciation for the loves in my life.

And now, as I sit before my computer mulling the Joy of my day, I feel overwhelming appreciation for the day that has passed. And I look forward, with great expectation, to the Joys of tomorrow.

Here's to the Journey!

A Father's Day to Remember!

After writing on Friday night, I attended a family reunion on Saturday. I saw lots of aunts, uncles and cousins whom I have not seen in many years and I introduced our daughter Liz and her sons to many of our relatives. Joy is basking in the love of family.

My mom and dad followed us home from the reunion and spent Father's Day with us on Sunday. This was the first time that Dad has been in my home on Father's Day and we all enjoyed the day tremendously. Dad, Jim, and Thadeus each said a Father's Day Prayer before dinner and then we all took turns saying what we appreciated most about our dads. So many beautiful things were said around our dining table and we all agreed that LIFE IS GOOD!

I realize that when I spend time with my parents, I learn things about myself. As I observed them in my home, I felt tremendous love for them, and for the expansion they have caused in my life. I feel great appreciation for the life I have chosen and I have no doubt in my mind that my Journey of Joy has been influenced by them. Joy is knowing that this Journey is the right one for me!

Here's to the Journey!