Joy

/ Fran Haley

Yesterday I noted this reflection on social media: “All I did in 2019 was survive it.”

Why did I think of the pool of Bethesda and the legend of the angel “troubling the waters“? Was it the sense of just enduring? The lack of hope?

The words stirred my soul on multiple levels.

I can relate to surviving. In 2019, my husband almost didn’t. There is no control in the valley of the shadow of death, only submission. Each long, dark day must be endured; my boys and I waited for the ray of hope.

And the healing came.

It was a year of survival, of change, of pain and loss, of life being altered. But then, joy: On the heels of his father’s recovery, our oldest married, went into the ministry, became a father. This Christmas, our family is bigger. This Christmas, we have so much more life to celebrate. This Christmas, inside the typical clamor, is a deep pocket of stillness. It is like the branches of our tree, frosted silver, catching the light, glimmering with tiny iridescent fire.

We survived, but more importantly, we live. We love. There’s always more love to give, another ray of light just ahead in the darkness, another healing after the troubling of the waters.

Life and hope renewed. Is that not the message of Christmas?

On that note . . . those of you who know this blog will know that 2019 was the first year we were “dogless” for a while.

That aching void is now filled.

I shall leave you with wishes for a holiday in your heart every day that you live and three pounds of sheer joy.

Merry Christmas, loves.

Welcome home, Dennis

So this is Christmas

My boy Cadillac Man and his Dennis nestled all snug in their bed

11 thoughts on “Joy”

  1. Oh my! The puppy cuddles at the end were a sheer delight! What a time to celebrate! Our family keeps growing as well. Our third daughter is engaged, and our other two each have a baby boy. Life is good! Merry Christmas!

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    • So much to celebrate as the cycles of life roll on … nothing like watching the absolute wonder and joy written on a child’s face at Christmas. My new granddaughter is enraptured by the new puppy. She carried him around in her arms ever so carefully, except for when she carried the new doll that she’d been asking for … oh, how we are wired to love! Here’s to the moments and memories that we carry with us forever – yes, life is good. A very Merry Christmas to you and all yours, Margaret 🙂

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  3. Oh my, Fran! You had me wondering what three pounds of sheer joy could possibly mean or be! Dennis is absolutely precious and yes, joy! I am so happy that you held on to hope and and your family is full again – Happy Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, and here’s to a joyful 2020! Thanks, as always, for sharing your life in beautiful words!

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  8. >Life and hope renewed. Is that not the message of Christmas?<

    With all the emotion in this slice, I got stuck here. 🙂 It is always about life and hope being renewed, but without it, what do we have?

    Thank you for allowing us a glimpse inside the pain, the healing, and the joy. It makes for a great story to tell! 🙂

    Wishing you and your family peace this Christmas season and a wonderful 2020!

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  10. Oh that sweet puppy face! Congratulations!

    I love how this post was all about joy and thanksgiving. I especially appreciated these lines: “We survived, but more importantly, we live. We love. There’s always more love to give, another ray of light just head in the darkness, another healing after the troubling of the waters.”

    Merry Christmas!

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