Day 183

11/14/22

I can't remember the last time I actually ran with unabandoned joy! Well, my youngest boys would say today was the day for them. Actually, every day would fit the bill, but SNOW absolutely made them gleeful and beyond excited!

Ranger and Lilly even romped a bit and then returned through the doggy door to be met with a towel and a rub down. The youngsters had to be bribed in with a treat. They would still be out there if they had their way!

I ask myself, when did "unabandoned joy" abandon me? Upon reflection, as my age extended, my experience with this type of joy diminished. As a child, it did not take much to reach that point. As an adolescent and young adult, it could still be found in rides down a mountain bike path or a beautiful sailing day. As an adult, it became more elusive.

Upon further reflection, I realized it did not abandon me...I was the one who abandoned that kind of zealous joy. However, in its place, I found a different, more mellow happiness in being a mom, a wife, a teacher and a friend.

Now, that same joy has matured yet again and finds great happiness in seeing comfort in the faces of people when my Therapy Dogs snuggle close, sharing moments with my precious family or when the true gift of friendship shines a light into my life.

It is the same joy...it has simply matured and shows up in a wiser, more appreciative "me".

That joy never abandoned me. It simply morphed into something even more amazing and treasured.