Saturday evening, I pushed the button to raise the head of my very comfy bed. Fresh (pink!) sheets, soft downie duvet and my quilt that I spent countless hours on and four pillows waited for me to climb in.
I freshened up the diffuser earlier and the air smelled a little like a forest. The lights were a soft glow and a reading playlist kept me company in the quiet house. As I gathered up my tablet and the book I was going to read and climbed onboard, I realized that I was smiling.
Joyful. That is the only word that describes it. Snuggling deep down in my cozy room, with only myself for company, I couldn't help but just be happy. I was over the moon about being by myself, doing what I wanted in the absolute comfort of these simple things around me.
Last year, at this time, I was the opposite. I put on a brave smile, but I was far from happy. I was completely devastated and wondering where the road was taking me. It is hard to imagine that woman from twelve months ago. Certainly, I would not be this happy now if I didn't have all the love and support of my family and friends. I am so very grateful that they walked beside me through those dark days.
Even now, as the days are cold and dark, (it snowed here today) I am not sad. I was a grinning goof all day. Jiving to my music, telling funny stories and just being there in the moments with my co-workers.
I received a message today from nature too. As we walked back to the office from across campus, we noticed a bird that seemed out of place in the snowy branches of the biggest tree on campus. Of course, I tried to take a picture, but I am the worst at phone pictures of wildlife LOL! When I looked later, the bird wasn't even in the photo!
My bird app helped me narrow it down to what I think was a Northern Flicker. I saw the same bird in my backyard a few weeks ago, so I'm pretty sure that's what it was. My friend agreed. Later, my friend and I google-chatted about the bird. She reminded me about messages from animals and that this one was probably for me.
She quoted from a book called Animal Speak from Ted Andrews. "If a flicker comes into your life it indicates a time of rapid growth and trust. Flicker will awaken a new rhythm and the ability and opportunity to manifest all-healing love..." Well, that certainly sounds pretty true of what my life is becoming, don't you think?
A Joyful moment in the snow - we stopped in the middle of campus as our first real snowfall came down. A Joyful moment shared with a friend who I don't get to talk to very often, but we happened to need to go to a meeting across campus together.
Many Joyful moments this weekend spending time with friends who I hadn't talked to for over ten years. Ten or so years of catching up on everything that has happened in our lives.
A Joyful moment with my DND Ladies Group when I asked if they wanted to play Curse of Strahd over the coming year (yes, it takes a year to play!) and the actual squeals of excitement about playing!
Joyful moments talking on the phone to my Mom about the days of our lives. Simple but so thankful that I can talk to my Mom and Dad on the phone whenever I want.
The unexpected Joy I got to see on my little grandson's face when he saw me walk in behind him and we got to spend the evening exploring Midnight Madness and Santa and all the Christmasy things in Uptown. The way my heart fills with so much Joy just to have his little hand in mine.
Here now, in our Second Wind, we get the chance to slow down. The days of running around after errands and children and husbands who don't appreciate us are over. It is our time to make space to just breathe. To soak up every single Joyful moment. Write them down. Take pictures. Just NOTICE. Be Joyful every chance you get. Who's with me?
