Let's water some seeds of joy

aysemari said:

Thanks Traci for this great thread (;
I had a nice big smile on my face when I got to my new oncologist yesterday
and found the only way to park is valet. They were parking the cars for the
women with no hair and the older people no question asked. Then I drive
up and I am told parking garage on the next block, and I stuttered but, but
I have an appointment. The young guys looked at me in shock! And I had to
laugh, I guess I didn't look sick enough. What a compliment (:
I told them, next time I'll wear a hat and they laughed.

I find so much joy every day in every little thing. Coming from the desert,
everything seems so alive and lush. It really doesn't take much to make me
smile. as a matter of fact, I can't wipe that stupid grin off my face... LOL.

Hugs,
Ayse

missrenee said:

I love this topic, Traci, and all the wonderful posts
Today is my weekly cancer support group meeting at the Wellness Community. I am bringing in two wigs, a wig stand, and wig wash to donate to them for someone in need. I never even wore one and the other I wore maybe 3 times. I hope they make someone feel a little bit better, even when they might feel crappy.

Thanks, Traci.

Hugs, Renee

grams2jc said:

A tiny whoosh and beat, some bright bangs
Heard the heartbeat of little 12 1/2 week fetus JC last Friday, talk about joy and tears.

Then a belated July 4th family get-together Saturday evening of our blended bunch. It was wonderful, no tension, just good food, fun fireworks and a little planter's punch.

Thanks for suggesting this thread Traci,

Jennifer

KathiM said:

Well said!
I have but one daughter left, and no grandchildren as of now...but yeah, I would do anything to stay around for my daughter!!!

Hugs, Kathi

Double Whammy said:

Some great joyful stories.
Thanks Traci for starting this thread.
Suzanne

CypressCynthia said:

Rare flower
Here is my happy news:

I am a somewhat fanatical, crazy gardener who "specializes" in planting local native plants. I do this because I believe it is the right thing to do. Besides having a yard full of our precious and beautiful native plants, I also have more beneficial insects, frogs, birds, etc. Most modern plants attract few, if any, insects, and are somewhat equivalent to planting plastic plants (my opinion). My garden is truly a wildlife garden with ladybugs, frogs, lizards, birds nesting and visiting, etc.

I am constantly on the look out for local plants and buy most from arboretums, local and online nurseries. They are often hard to find and I feel most days like I am on a scavenger hunt.

But here is the amazing thing. In the middle of my garden a rare, white wildflower volunteered itself. It is a lovely salt water mallow usually only in pink. It took me forever to figure out what it was because I was looking only in white flowers. I just had the identity confirmed by a University of Texas wildflower expert through photos.

How did this lovely rare thing get into my yard and where did it come from? It has been a big thrill for me and I am going to try and save seeds next year to give to friends.
It has a name "Immaculata" for the particular variety, but to me its name is "Hope." I think it was a cosmic surprise tailor-made to bring me joy and courage!

fauxma said:

Traci
This is just the most
Traci
This is just the most perfect post you started.
Okay, my joy is that Den is home and doing alright and when he saw the grandkids and they got so excited, he broke into a big smile and it didn't droop. It was a perfect u shaped smile and his dimple was showing. It's the first time. That was the most beautiful thing I ever saw. Later it was back to being slightly droopy but I know that it will be back permanently soon. Thank you Traci for this post. I think that the monk meant that we must nuture our joy like growing a plant. It may start small but if we build on the little joys they will grow to bigger joys. Just my interpretation.
Stef

dbhadra said:

sitting and watching Harry Potter
and SO enjoying the relief from anxiety which has been tormenting me since Sunday. Just sitting and watching a movie with my husband and two kids and being able to enjoy it without feeling like I am jumping out of my skin is SUCH a blessing!

We are watching Part I of the last Harry Potter, which we've already seen, but wanted to remember since we just got tickets for this Thursday midnight opening of Part II - the last, last part of Harry Potter!

We are heading up to Fox Chase on Thursday night since we have an appointment in the morning for my pathology report on Friday. My 12 year old son was SO disappointed that we couldn't see the movie premiere as I thought it opened FRIDAY night, not THURSDAY night. I had promised him we would go on Friday night but the the kids were supposed to stay with friends on Thursday. So we just decided tonight that we would leave our younger daughter with friends and take him with us to Philly. So I got tickets for 12:01 in Philly! It's a small thing, but I'm just so glad that we are able to spend this time with him and so grateful.

We are so lucky that Fox Chase has free and reduced price housing for patients travelling more than 50 miles for treatment - another seed of joy!

Thanks so much for starting this post! I love to come here and realize that people are still able to enjoy life! I try to remind myself often (sometimes more successfully than other times) that I am not dying of cancer, I am LIVING with cancer.

Laura