It's pouring rain.
I'm still sad.
But I'm not called PollyAnna for nothing.
This is where I pick myself up, and make a plan to make it better. I sent out email to my close friends yesterday detailing that Bryan actually did go out and find an apartment, and that Katherine is super excited because it IS in walking distance of our house. I told my friends that I am feeling intense sadness, but that I intend to find my joy, and that I needed their help. I told them that I intend to have parties here all summer long - impromptu ones with watermelon and kids in the sprinkler and dancing in the kitchen and drinking wine and grilling food and movie nights. I told them that I need to fill my house with laughter and people I love, to get rid of this aching sadness.
One dear friend responded, "I'm in! Sign me up for the summer of joy!"
Have I mentioned yet how much I love my friends? How good they are to me, how they hold me up when I'm falling? How when I lose my faith in the world and in myself, their kindnesses restore that faith? How, when I know I can not take one more step, one of them steps in for me? It is no surprise that a friend gave me this gift, these kind words that are a declaration of intent. Summer of joy!
I hereby declare it the summer of joy. I will reclaim my space, and I will breathe deeply, and I will wear sundresses and dance barefoot in the kitchen. My problems won't go away, but I will still live in joy.
I have a bit of work to do to get there. But now I know what I'm aiming for.
Summer of joy, here I come.
PS In the northwest, summer starts after July 4. It just is that way. If you haven't lived here, you might not understand....but if you've lived here, you get it. I have a couple of weeks to figure this out.
The Summer of Joy. Why not? There will be bad days and good days. Why not make the good ones even better by aiming for joy?
ReplyDeleteI see no reason not to.
And PollyAnna can be a mighty (and I mean mighty) fine name to turn to - balanced with a bit of necessary pragmatism - including, cutting yourself slack on off days.
Hugs.
BLW, thank you. As you can see, I've got a ways to go to find my joy, but it IS a good goal.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to send you a little joy, too. Thank you for the support you continue to give - I absolutely love seeing you here, as well as on your own site. Hugs back to you!