Happy Happy, Joy Joy…..Three Years

It’s my Blogerversary!  Three years….and what a three years it’s been.  Below is the very first piece I posted as a newbie to this community I proudly call home…..

 

 

Hello Blogosphere!  My name is Joy Des Jardins…and I’m a Blogoholic.  I come to you totally open and a little bit skeptical that I deserve to even be here; but here I am nonetheless.  I’ve commented to some of you that I was entertaining the idea of “putting my toes in the blogging waters….” but, I didn’t realize that I actually meant it.  Thanks to some VERY wonderful bloggers who have already been around for quite a while and my own daughter, Jory Des Jardins of Pause, I decided to finally take the plunge.

 

I’m not political or controversial.  I’m simply a connector and love to hear and tell life’s stories.  So simple isn’t it?  I’ve been involved with the Blogosphere since my daughter entered it in the fall of 2004.  Now, I’m an addict….and need my fix every day.  So many wonderful bloggers out there….it’s become a whole new world to me where I have found writing from the heart is a beautiful thing. 

                     

In case you’re curious about the title, Joy of Six, let me explain…it’s so simple in an obsessive/compulsive kind of way.  Apart from the obvious play-on-words, six has always been MY lucky number….or more accurately the number I seem to “do things in.”  You know….eat M & M’s in sixes, buy things in sixes, dole things out in sixes…the norm.(?)  It’s a shame the number one wasn’t my obsession, especially when it comes to the M & M’s and buying things.  Why six?  Here’s the simple part….it represents the six people in my immediate family.  Told you it was simple.  Sometimes I do things in fours…that represents my four children….but that’s another story.

 

Joy of Six will focus on scenes in my life and those who share my life….tidbits, if you will….about childhood, marriage, motherhood, friendship, children, grandchildren, work, and more…portrayed with love and humor.  I’ve read so many wonderful pieces by some really amazing writers in the Blogosphere, that I felt it might be time to “give it a shot” and add my voice.  I hope to do it justice…..

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Well, I don’t know if I’ve done justice to blogging, but blogging certainly has done justice by me.  When I started my blog in August of 2005 I was on the mend from elbow surgery and had lost my job earlier in the year, along with half of our company.  I had already been visiting a lot of blogs and made quite a few friends and acquaintances just through comments I’d been leaving on a regular basis…..well, I had all the time in the world now that I wasn’t working.

 

Besides my daughter, those ‘wonderful’ bloggers that I mentioned in my first post who urged me to start my own blog….Ronni from Time Goes By, Yvonne from Lipsticking, and a few others, finally convinced me; and so Jory, Jesse (now my son-in-law) and I set up my blog site one weekend….and I haven’t looked back. 

 

Like any of us who have a blog know…..’once you’re hooked…..you’re hooked.’  It comes with all the baggage….guilt over not blogging enough, spending too much time on the computer/ internet, what is interesting and good to blog about, not getting to visit or comment on other blogs enough, changing the look of your blog, etc.  You name it….we’ll worry about it! 

   

But this new world of blogging was something I knew was going to be good for me….something I knew I really was going to need for what was going to be the most life-altering couple of years I will have ever gone through in my life….this new community that I had already come to love, rely on, share and communicate with as my family.

 

Words are a magical thing.  They can bring people together in an instant from places very far away.  I have read beautiful things written by so many bloggers that made me cry….words that went straight to my heart…just as  they were intended.  And pieces that made me laugh just when I needed a good laugh during a tough time.  What someone might not be able to say face-to-face, they may say so beautifully in a post on their blog and touch somebody like they never imagined.  That’s a pretty amazing thing to me.

 

The year I started my blog will always be a little bittersweet for me because I lost my husband toward the end of it.  Now you know why I felt I needed something like blogging in my life.  I knew much earlier in the year that something major was wrong with Joel’s health….even at his insistence that there was not.  Of course we’re talking about someone who NEVER went to the doctor and just dealt with things himself.  When you live with someone for 38 years and you know it is far more painful for them to talk about these things and deal with them, then you just don’t do it for their sake…..but I knew.  And honestly, he knew too.  By the time I finally did get him to go to the doctor…..it was apparent to EVERYONE just how sick he was!  That was how he wanted it….and that’s how it got played out.  It was a hard deal at the end….and very painful for my kids and I to watch….but mostly for him.  He passed away on November 17^th, 2005…….yet, he managed to read my blog in the short time he had.

And so....Happy Blogerversary to me……thank you everyone for being there for me over these past three years.  We lost a couple members of our blogging family this year…..and their beautiful words.  I still feel their loss deeply.  I miss you Winston and Joycelyn……Bless our wonderful little community…….  ~Love, Joy        

                         

Comments

[kenju]

Happy Blogiversary!!! I would have thought it was longer than that, but you lose track of time when you're having so much fun!!

[Average Jane]

Congratulations on your blogging anniversary from someone who has read you from the beginning. :)

[storyteller]

CONGRATULATIONS!!! Three years … wow! How interesting that you were a Blogoholic when you started. I’d never even READ a blog when I began … of course a lot had changed since then and I’m totally addicted now ;--)

I enjoyed reading your very 1st post … learning how you got started … the significance of ‘six’ in your life. I do enjoy your blog … your sense of humor … and the interesting images you share (like the ones from Beijing). I understand the ‘guilt’ … am experiencing it myself currently. Your husband’s passing reminds me a lot of my dad’s … everything happened too quickly for me, but it was as he wished it to be.

This was a lovely way to celebrate … and thank YOU for sharing yourself with us through your blog.
Hugs and blessings,

[jen]

Joy, three years already. Goodness me. I remember your first post because I read Jory's blog and she told us that you had started. I've stayed with you on your blogging journey and intend to in the future. And you were clever knowing your were a blogaholic before you'd really even started.

[Denise]

Happy blogiversary!!! Yay! 3 year olds are adorable.

[Peggy]

Happy Bloggy Anniversary Joy!

[Cop Car]

Good morning, Joy--
Who knew that it had been three years? Congratulations! You've just always "been there", to me. I've always loved your ability to cope with whatever life throws at you and your wonderfully wicked sense of humor. Thank you, thank you, dear one...for being you. (I agree that three is a darling age.)
Love--
Cop Car

[Darlene]

Happy Blogiversary! You are an inspiration to me and I am so glad that Nancy introduced me to your blog and to the help you offered.

As one who started pretty much the away you did, reading and commenting on other blogs, I finally took the plunge and am addicted also. It seems like blogs consume my every waking thought. Maybe I need counseling. ;-).

[Nancy]

HAPPY BLOGIVERSARY, JOY !!!!!!!

I really enjoy reading your posts, and especially love your clever verses.....

[BearNaked]

Congratulations and Happy 3rd Blogerversary to you Joy.
I only joined the blogosphere a mere five months ago and I will always remember when you left your first comment on my blog.
I was astounded that someone as important as you would have read my blog much less leave a comment.
Your friendship and your many kind words have inspired me to do the very best that I can on my blog.
All the best to you Joy and keep on blogging.

Bear((( )))

[Chancy]

I could not do without my fix
Of the Joy Of Six.

Congratulations sweetie pie.

Janet

[Ole Phat Stu]

Just to congratulate you
On your three
Years of blogging.

Only bloggers can have such
Fun.

Seriously though,
It's great reading you, just like
Xmas ;-)

[joared]

Congratulations on your Third Blogging Anniversary!

Enjoyed reading your first post. What a contrast your entry was with the way I bumbled and lurched unintentionally into starting my blog prematurely, soon to be two years ago. My home page is still lacking from what I hope to someday make time to refine.

I emphathize with some of the sense of blogger's support you must have experienced that first year after your husband's death. I've certainly valued the kind words you've sent my way a year or so later under similar circumstances.

Reading what you write, the narratives and poetry, viewing your pictures has been both serious at times and laughingly funny at other times. Keep writing and I'll keep reading.

[Paul Nichols]

Well, thanks for letting me in on your neat little blog. And thank you for sharing comments on mine.

Happy day for you!

[Suzann]

Dearest, Darling Joy - Happy Blogiversary - in these last few years I feel like you have become an important blog sister and part of my family. I love, love, love your blog and you - thank you for smiles, tears and so much inspiration. Love across the miles - congratulations.

[junie]

Congratulations, Dear Joy!

I am so happy you took the plunge to start a blog. I'm happy I did too! :)

Love,

Junie

[Ronni Bennett]

Let me add my congratulations to this list. Yours is one of the most delightful blogs around. Happy anniversary.

[Val]

Congratulations Joy!!! If I can make mine just ONE QUARTER as enjoyable and readable as yours, I will be happy. I'm so glad I found you and even though I don't always have time to comment, I'm an appreciative reader! Love and Hugs, Val

[Elsie]

Congratulations, Joy!

[Jory Des Jardins]

Hey Ma--you went from being my primary commenter to having loads of your own comments. A commuity! I'm so blown away by all you've accomplished. And so happy to have it all here where I can go back and remember.

[Merle]

Dear Joy ~~ What a wonderful post for your third blogoversary, with the reminders of your first post, which was a great one. I used to comment on Peter's blog before I started min (Dec.'05) I consider you a very dear friend Joy, and like you I love blogging and the terrific people that we meet here. Many congrats, and here's to the nexr three years and beyond. Thanks for your comments about our partying for Jeanette's B'day.
Take care of yourself, Much love, Merle.

[Peter]

Congratulations Joy on your third anniversary, you may have noticed that I went into withdrawal a little after that date came round, but the change of direction has given me a new lease of blog life.

[leawaugh]

Hi Joy! Congrats on 3 years of blogging. I've enjoyed every one of your posts. Thank you...and hoping to read more...Cheerio.

[MaryB]

Happy Blogaversary, Joy! So glad you started blogging and stuck with it. Here's to many more 'versaries!

[Roberta S]

(Raising my glass of rhubarb wine). A toast to you, Joy, for so many heartfelt words, pics of beauty, poems, and kindly thoughts. Your blog is always a joy to read, always a pleasure to share. Happy Blogoversary, may you celebrate many, many more!

[Liz]

Belated happy blogiversary, Joy! You are so right when you list all the things that worry us bloggers: too much time spent blogging, too little spent visiting etc etc. But like you, I wouldn't be without it. I count my blogging friends as valuable as the ones who live within 1 mile of me. And I am delighted to have you amongst them.

You are a wonderful writer with a super family and a great outlook on life. God bless your next 3 and more years blogging!