In Celebration

I can’t believe I made it!  I’m celebrating my ONE YEAR BLOGIVERSARY….one year ago today!  And, what a year it has been.  Celebrating may be a strange way to pay tribute to it; for it was probably the most personally difficult and challenging year I’ve EVER had in my whole life….certainly one I don’t ever want to duplicate again….but I most definitely choose to celebrate it.                                                             

I lost a husband, a mother and a father-in-law…all within 7 months of each other….and before that I lost my job.  Life-altering situations that I’m still adjusting to.  No one said it would be easy.                                                                                           

But, I AM CELEBRATING nonetheless.  And though I may still have some things to figure out and some bumps to get over…I have many reasons to feel blessed….and my kids are at the top of that list.  They have been through these losses right along with me all the way.  They have me, and I have them.  We have laughed, cried, and gone on in the best way a family can….with our humor as our salvation…thank God.  I can’t imagine how else you can get through a year like we've just had.  But, we’re good together…. just like it should be.  They make my road a lot less bumpy.                                 

Apart from my immediate family….my surrounding family members are the best.  This past year brought my brother, Ken, and I together far more often because of my mother’s health issues.  Even under such circumstances, it was truly wonderful spending time with him and my sister-in-law, Mary when they’d drive in from Wisconsin.  It made us all realize how much we mean to each other and that the miles between us have made us miss out on some pretty valuable time together; and during these visits, we had no problem telling each other that.  We’ll meet up again this Friday for a small graveside service for my mother as we stay true to her wishes and bury her ashes next to my father….together again after 38 years.

 

  We just had a family reunion with members of my husband’s family this past July.  It was as wonderful as we all had hoped it would be.  Another reason I feel blessed….to have such dear people in my life; whom I have loved all my married life and have always had a strong connection with.  That’s not luck….that’s a blessing.  My kids just ate up every minute of it….grandkids included.  It was good, it was healing, and it was healthy for EVERYONE!               

I have my warm and fuzzy, tried and true network of friends from several areas of my life that check in with me all the time to make sure I’m still kicking.  We chat, we laugh, we make dinner plans, luncheon plans, we e-mail, we catch up.  They are old co-workers, old neighbors, old friends…..extended family, really.  All blessings in my life that I am EVER grateful for.                                                     

But this BLOGIVERSARY is the culmination of a year that has produced a whole new arena of blessings that I hadn’t counted on.  A wealth of warmth and caring that came along with the territory of jumping into the blogging waters and sharing my thoughts, my feelings….my stories.  Maybe I feel particularly “blogospherically blessed” because of the timing of events in this past year of my life, I don’t know…and I don’t question it.  I’m just thankful.                

I’m thankful to sit down at my computer….morning, noon, or night….and absorb each and every one of you.  For your own artistry, wit, insight, advice, flair, taste, tenderness, joy, humor, vulnerability, talent, individuality, wisdom, honesty, generosity and perception.  Some days, I just NEVER want to leave….AND, I DON’T!  Some of you feel like dear old friends…even soul mates; and yet, we’ve never met.  I’ve had some wonderful conversations with you over the keyboards.  A lot of people communicate best that way.  We’re all out there expressing ourselves with the written word for a reason, aren’t we?  That’s a special thing….                                                                                                 

I don’t know how long I’ll be at this “blogging thing.”  I know I love it.  I know it gives me great joy.  I know I can’t wait to connect with my pals every day and get into it with them.  I know that if I miss any time away from it at all, it feels strange and unsettling until I can get back and caught up with everyone….just like with anyone or anything you care about. And…I know that I am thankful for IT….and for YOU!                                                                                              

So thank you Marilyn, Winston, Junie, Merle, Suzann, Lucy, Chancy, Robert, Claude, Peg, Ronni, Koan, Maria, Tamar, Troy, Jen, Yvonne, Antonella, Stacie, Alan, Sue, Jane, Mary, Steve, Pattie, Lisa, David, Jennifer, Julie, Gemma, Kay, Melinda, Stu, Annie, and Karen….and those friends without blogs, but who visited and shared on many occasions….Bob, Miffy, Mary Kay, Elizabeth, Rosie, Mary, Jase, Heather, Joared and Tracy.  Thank you ALL for being there when I needed to be lifted up with your touching words, your caring hearts, and your spirit.  How could you have known that your visits would be counted among the blessings in MY life?    -Joy  

Comments

[Susan aka SAZ]

Hi Joy -

This is so beautifuuly written and heartfelt. Your mother gave you the right name - you faced such a difficult year and still you find joy in life. You're amazing.

[Winston]

Congratulations! You have demonstrated and shared with us an amazing strength and resilience. Thank you!

You so gracefully fulfill what seems to be your life mission, to bring peace, love, smiles, warm fuzzies, and yes JOY, to everyone you touch.

I'll be right over with the champagne...

[Jane]

Congratulations, Joy! It's hard to believe it's been a year already. I look forward to reading your lovely thoughts for many more years to come.

[Merle]

Dear Joy ~~ What a beautiful post you have written for your special celebration. Congratulations on 12 months blogging. Believe me, you are well loved and I hope that making so many blogging friends has helped you over the sad times in your life.
Have a lovely visit with your brother and his wife on Friday. And I am so glad you and your family are so loving and close.
Take care, my dear friend, Love,
Merle.

[two passports]

I was reading this with amazement that you have got through this year. You are an amazing woman.

[Eggsakimbo]

Congrats on your one year. I am startled that you have had so much happen. Inspirational. I will add you to my blog list, if that's okay?

[Stacie Penney]

Happy Aniversary! It's so much fun to look back at what's happened over the course of a year, see what's changed and how you've grown. Keep it up!

[Alan G]

Morning Joy…

I was not aware of the things you were faced with during the past year and so my heart felt feelings are with you. It is consoling to know your family has huddled together in the bad times.

And of course…

Happy Blogiversary!

There is another one of those new words. Thanks for your kind words with regard to your blogger friends and the feeling is of course mutual. Looking forward to a new blogger year full of shared experiences and thoughts.

[Rain]

Hi Joy, Congratulations on your anniversary in blogging. I have seen your name around but don't read a lot of blogs partly for time reasons. I will be checking back with yours. You and I began regular blogging about the same time, I think, but I gave it a break in the winter. Like you I have never set a time for how long I will do this. Just while it works. Thanks for visiting my blog and commenting. That is always appreciated :)

[Peggasus]

Yay for you! It's been a pleasure getting to know you too, Joy, and I hope you'll be around for many more years! Cheers! xoxo, Peggy

[Jory Des Jardins]

Mom,

This is just one more thing that you thought you might not be able to do that you've managed to pull off beautifully. I love to read and see the community develop before my eyes. I love to read comments from the like-minded souls who have graced this place. Keep it up Lady--I love coming here.

[Julie Des Jardins]

Wow lady, when you put it that way, it has been a year indeed. It's true. We're so lucky to have each other. I cannot tell you how glad I am that you are part of this community to share with. Love you.

[Chancy]

Dear Joy

You have brought "joy" into my life with your blog. Thanks for just being you.

Chancy

PS Congratulations on your one year anniversary of blogging

[Suzann]

Joy - for me you are a "Joy" - we have shared much over the internet - I feel so close to you - you are one of my angels. Happy Anniversary Sweetie. Hugs all around - Suzann

[June]

Joy,

What a wonderful post!

Thanks-and congrats on your one year anniversary!

Love,
Junie

[SonJoe]

Mom,
It seems so many people use you name, Joy, to express their feelings about you and reading your blog. So, for your reading pleasure, here is one from me. It's a little different since I don't call you by your first name.

Mom, congrats on your 1 year blogiversary. It gives me great Mom to be able to read your thoughts about the past year's events. I know your blog brings many people Mom and it's a special thing to know that you spread Mom all over the internet. So please, continue to share the Mom as there is never enough Mom to go around in this world. Always Momful,

Joe

[Annie Hall]

So happy for you on this anniversary. Glad to have read you and enjoyed your insights. How I admire you and am in awe at how you gracefully walk through life and it's challenges. Annie

[tamarika]

Dear Joy,
Oh Happy, happy day! What an amazing year this has been for you and so many of your posts an inspiration. You are such a kind and supportive blogger friend yourself. I have been the recipient of so much of your grace. Celebrate your bloggiversary all week!

Hugs!

[Joy D]

Congratulations for surviving such a year and for continuing your blog. Great job!

Btw, not only are both of our names Joy but my grandchildren call me Grammy, too. How about that? :-)

[eldest child]

How does one top Joe's response. Congrats mom on your first bloggiversary. I am sure that there will be many more to come. I remember when you first got started and you thought you would run out of things to say within the first month. I knew better. So here is my told ya so and I look forward to continue reading your thoughts.
Love ya,
Jenna

[Stu Savory, Germany]

Happy Blogiversary lass!

[goldenlucy]

Happy BloVerssary dear,sweet friend. Your strength through this past year has been truly inspirational. And how I relate to you thought that a happy family is not a matter of luck but of blessing---and hard work! I hope you keep bloggin for a very long time. At least hold on while I'm still around!

[Ronni Bennett]

I'm a little late catching up to your anniversary, Joy. What a lovely recap you've done here. It certainly HAS been a year full of events for you - not all so welcome. I'm pleased you have such a great family.

You've implied that you might stop blogging. There are a whole lot of us who think that isn't the best idea you've ever had :-)

Happy anniversary, Joy.

[Merle]

Dear Joy ~~ What great kids you have, and what a great Mom they have. How about your son's Moms.
That was so lovely. Thanks for your comments, I'm still catching up.
Take care my friend, Love, Merle.

[Miffy]

CONGRATS! And now that I am done wiping these tears of joy (or MOM as Joe would say) from my eyes, let me just tell you how absolutely blessed I feel! It was never about the work Joyful, it was to bring us to you! What a blessing...congratulations and I love you!

[SAZ aka Susan]

Where did you imply you might stop blogging (Ronni's comment)? Sure hope not since I just found you and so enjoy your blog!

[MaryB]

Sorry I'm late on the congrats! Wonderful post - as always - such a fabulous milestone! Woo-hoo!

[Karen]

Better late than never, I hope - Congratulations!

Joy, I think you were always going to make it through this year, you have so much in your heart, and your generosity in sharing that with us all through your blog is beyond words. Thank you and here's to a brighter, more joyful year ahead.

[Kay Dennison]

Joy!!!! May this celebration repeat itself annually for many, many years!!!!! Thank you, my friend for all the love, encouragement & support you've given me in addition to the beautiful place you've built here. You have given me so much pleasure with your words & pictures! Hugssssssssssss

[Maya's Granny`]

Joy, I'm so glad that you are blogging. You are a gift and a treasure to those of us who visit back and forth on our keyboards, sharing our stories and our thoughts, our indignation and our joy.

[Betty]

Hello, Joy, I just stumbled onto your blog through Claude's, and wanted to add my best wishes on your first blogging anniversary. I'm sorry you've had such a bad year, but you seem to have handled all the problems very well. I hope you don't mind that I'm adding your blog to my growing "must read" list.

[Terri]

Just saw on Claude's blog that you celebrated your Blogaversary, so I wanted to extend belated wishes to you.
It certainly was a tough year so I wish the year ahead for you to be filled with all the joy you exhibit, much sunshine and volumes of laughter. All the best to you.

[Maria]

Happy. Happy Blogging Anniversary. You have come through a very tough year with flying colors. Turning to your blog is always an uplifting experience. Your poetry is outstanding and your outlook on life well it is simply Joy-ful.Thanks for all the times that you have made me smile, wonder, and love this cyberspace gift of ours.

[Claude]

Happy blogiversary, dear Joy, and thank YOU for being who you are, keeping this great blog.

[Troy Worman]

Congratulations!

[Antonella]

Happy Anniversary, Joy!!!
The blogosphere is a better place because of you and your blog. I hope that your blog and your blog-community brought you some comfort and joy in this difficult year. I know your presence brought a lot of comfort and joy to me.

[jen]

Hey, happy first blogiversay Joy. It's definitely a joy having you as a blog friend. Yes, it has been a tough year for you but you've made it through.

Hope you keep us in touch with your life through your blog and I think you will because, like me, you've found it addictive I think.

Love and hugs, Jen

[mothergoosemouse]

Joy, I'm sorry that I missed your Blogiversary. Please accept my belated congratulations and best wishes. I'm so glad to have "met" you, and I do look forward to meeting you in person next year at BlogHer '07!

[Marilyn]

Oh, Joy, I'm sorry I'm so late in reading this post...work kept me so busy for weeks, I'm just now catching up! I can hardly believe you've been blogging a year already...and yet...SO MUCH has happened in your life in the time you've been blogging. SO MUCH CHANGE to absorb in such a short time. You have been such a dear, kind, loving and supportive friend this past year. I'm so very happy to 'know' you and Jory. I hope that the good things of this past year (Jory's engagement, your new grandson) will bring much happiness to you in the future. Much love to you.