Making time for joy

Joy is a funny thing. It can sneak up on you anywhere. But if you aren't ready for it, it will pass you by before you have a chance to realize you missed it.

It could be waiting for you in a chaise lounge with a book, a cup of tea and a 2 year old when you feel like there's something else you should be doing.

It could be hiding in a hilariously loud and ridiculous argument between you, your husband, your sister and her boyfriend over what constitutes as a "Disney Classic" that leaves everyone laughing and no one right in the end, according to Wikipedia.

It could be...right in front of me, and I'm brushing it aside so that I can do what I think I need to do so I have time to experience some joy.

So, I'll do myself a favor. I won't brush it aside. Because at the end of my race to joy is more road and less joy. So I'll sit in the chair with my kid, and share a cup of tea (you can pretend it's decaf if it makes you feel less like I'm a bad mother), and read a book. Or two, or three. And laugh at myself and everyone else during a silly argument. I'll look around the room and realize just what it is that makes being a family so special.

I found out this week that I can go to sleep and feel like I lived that day. That maybe not every second counted, but a lot of them did. And that, gives me joy.