Keep it Real Wednesday
April 19, 2023
Keep your JOY
Since my mom Rosemary died last year, I have had twice-a-week calls with her best friend in Cleveland, whom I call “Aunt Joy”. She is not really my aunt but my mom’s best friend since kindergarten. Rosemary was an only child and Joy was as close to an aunt as I would ever have.
Rosemary and Joy didn’t see each other much over the years. Joy is a Catholic Nun who entered the convent at a very young age and Rosemary got married, had children, and moved all over the country.
Yet, their friendship always remained solid.
After Rosemary died last year, Aunt Joy and I sort of clung to each other with phone calls several times a week, and our friendship has somehow kept Mom closer for both of us. We treasure our calls and stay updated with each other’s lives.
After I got off the phone with her yesterday, I said out loud with a big smile to NOBODY. I AM SO GRATEFUL to have JOY in my life.
Then, I giggled.
That is sort of profound, isn’t it?
Yes, I am happy to have AUNT JOY in my life but saying that statement out loud made me realize the importance of JOY in all of our lives.
JOY.
It’s simple.
It’s selfless.
It is inward contentment and peace and sometimes requires a journey of trials and hardships.
JOY helps us dance through the darkness in our lives.
JOY sustains us and helps us sing in the valleys
If there is one thing my mother Rosemary carried with her throughout her 96 years of life, it was JOY. Both her best friend and the way she lived her life.
And now, even a year after she has passed, I am still picking up the nuggets of life lessons she has left behind, including her best friend and my Aunt JOY.
(Pictured Aunt Joy next to the Blessing Bike at the facility where she now lives)
#keepitrealwednesday #theblessingbike #blessingbike
