Joy

I don’t know about you, but certainly for me, life seems to be challenging, difficult and downright confounding at the moment – I think I am going to escape the mayhem by concentrating for a moment or two on joy.

Many years ago I read a delightful novel, a coming of age story of a young girl who had to write an essay about spring.  Living in a poor inner city neighbourhood, her experience of spring was definitely not like some of her friends or class mates experienced.   She joyfully and creatively described what spring meant to her.

Amongst other things it was:

 “The smell of freshly laundered washing, clouds drifting by and a

            Single flower blooming in a crack in the sidewalk…………”

In the middle of a financially poor inner-city suburb, hope and joy presented itself in the form of a tiny little flower struggling to bloom in a crack in the sidewalk.

In recalling this lovely passage I decided to reflect on the things that bring me joy.

So here goes………….

Experiencing sunrise whilst swimming at Hobie Beach, the feeling of being bathed in warm beautiful light as that orange orb gently makes her appearance over the horizon touching and gracing sea and sky with her beauty.

The Karoo veldt awash with the gentle moonlight casting a silvery light, almost in benediction, welcoming a time of rest and restitution.

My Godchildren, a couple of nephews as well as two young men who have adopted me as their “Mama”; I am grateful to them for their interesting “take on the world”.   Above all I admire their feistiness, confidence and enthusiasm. 

Sometimes the world is a scary place – I am called upon to nurture, love and be a source of wisdom and comfort to them.

Worshipping in makeshift churches, singing hymns with foot stomping hand clapping gusto.

A thunderstorm in the Karoo is such an exciting event.  That low rumble in the distance, a rush of air, clouds gathering in a darkened sky, almost without warning an almighty, and then those really large rain drops that plop onto the dry red earth scattering dust clouds and making way for a deluge.  Watching storm clouds gather and the imminent arrival of rain from our family home situated amongst pine trees in the Troodos Mountains in Cyprus is a sensory delight.

Writing and creating this blog has brought me great joy as I no longer carry shame about who I am, where I have been and where I am going. 

I am Charlotte and Benji’s Mom and George’s wife.

Today I will face the world with joy and gratitude