My Saga With Joy

Who knew the word joy would be a complicated and ugly thing in my life? I struggled with finding joy. If you know me personally, you know that I have an older sister name Joy and no I was not trying to find her. I know exactly where she is. Joy means to be passionately excited. It means having good fortune and being happy and at peace with oneself. Taking this definition to heart here is where I found my joy this month.

• I was joyful when the RN only had to poke me once to get into my port. I am getting IVIF (Plasma) infusions at home. I was nervous about having someone access my port with no back-up. Getting into my port is a challenge. I was excited when the nurse only poked me once and got blood draw back too.
• I was joyful when the RN told me that the IVIF infusion was going to be three hours. My rituximab takes between 5 and 6 hours.
• I was joyful when I received a wonderful gift from a wonderful woman. She got me a Built 30 Oz thermal cup. I can put ice in my cup in the morning and still have the same ice at ten at night.
• I was joyful when another friend gifted me with a glass pitcher and diffuser inside so that I can make fruit water. I have made raspberry and blood orange water, and raspberry and lemon water. It makes drinking water easier.
• I was joyful when my brother fixed my electric wheelchair, and it was only the battery charger and not the battery wires. My chair allows me freedom to get around and do things.
• I was joyful when a longtime friend whom I have not seen in a year came up for a visit. We had a blast catching up and talking about skin care. She enjoys making her own concoctions with essential oils and other oils. We had fun discussing our hopes and dreams.
• I was joyful when I got more from my tax return than I thought I was going to be getting. I have been wise with it. I did not get any of the stimulus like others on disability got. I had to file my taxes to get them. So, getting all of them in one lump sum was amazing and surprising. I was only expecting the first two.
• I have been joyful snuggling with Nicholas (my cat) under the blankets and watching Blue Bloods marathon on Wednesdays and snuggling while I am reading or writing on my laptop.

Finding joy does not have to be this big event. Joy is found in the small and tiny moments in life. Life has many challenges and sometimes joy is hard to find under all the rubble in life, but it is still there if you look for it. That is the biggest thing I have learned about joy this month.