Wordful Wednesday-Joy

I wrote an article last week for the Million Mom’s Challenge that reminded me of this, so I thought now would be the perfect week to repost it for Wordful Wednesday, and to urge you to click over to the Million Mom’s Challenge and join in to make a difference!

Everything that has ever brought me joy in life has been divisible by two.  Or more.

I guess I should explain.

I’ve been thinking about the things that bring me the greatest joy, and every single thing is “married” or linked to someone else.

My children have brought more joy into my life than anything I can think of.  When I think of each of their births, I can still feel in my heart the extreme emotional euphoria and gladness that came when I realized  that another human being had entered my life.  Even as a new mother of one, I knew that every day would bring a lot of things, one of which would surely be joy.

It took having 5 children and being married for over a decade to realize that for me, joy does not come alone.  It’s the sharing of moments, of lives, of thoughts, of expression and emotion, of acts, that bring me joy.

As the new school year has begun and I send my little chicks out into the world every day, I am reminded of that moment not so very long ago when I felt more quantifiable joy than I ever had before.

It was the moment that I was handed my baby doll sized twins in the operating room shortly after their premature birth.  I remember looking at them, looking at my husband, and realizing that we had been granted something special.  It wasn’t just two lives, although that was a pretty big miracle in itself.   The few months leading up to their birth had given us a plethora of insight into what we could sustain as a family, what we had to be grateful for.  It was only at their birth that was able to see that the mental anguish and physical separation that  I had endured had only served to bring me to the point where I could fully experience the joy of knowing that 5 little lives were going to bless me in ways that I’d never be able to comprehend or describe.

That’s joy.

Mark Twain said that, “to get the full value of a joy you must have somebody to divide it with.”

I’m so thankful for the people in my life that bring me joy, for it wouldn’t be joy without someone to share it with.

What brings you joy?

Wordful Wednesday is like Wordless Wednesday, only WITH words. It’s for those of us that can’t contain the chatter, but in a good way. More info. in my tabber box titled WW on the right. Thank you for playing along!

Don’t forget to hop on over to my co-host Amanda’s place (Parenting By Dummies) to see what she has to be Wordful about today!

About Angie

Angie is a CRAFT dabbling, recipe making, WORD loving, sunshine hording, book DEVOURING, Mama to a lot! She's kind of in love with Instagram right now, so if you want her attention, go find here there. {smiling}

Comments

  1. I totally agree. Joy is something to be shared!

  2. You have such a beautiful family.

  3. Joy to me today is wonderful test results for my little guy!

  4. I love that Mark Twain quote….and that picture of your family is incredible!

  5. Ohhh, that’s good! I like “dividing.” 🙂

  6. Beautiful post and picture. Joy to me is my itty bitty family. They hold my heart so well…

  7. What a beautiful post. I seriously am crying. : )
    I love your joy.

  8. Love this. Hands down, if laughter is the best medicine, joy is the dispensing pharmacist! Love your outlook…love you!

  9. My boys are definitely the root of my joy!
    And it always makes me smile to see your whole family! They are definitely a blessing and so beautiful!

  10. My kids bring me complete and total joy also. They’re everything to me! You have a wonderful family, Angie!

  11. My joy also comes in two’s. A Coke AND a snickers bar.

    Good article Angie. I tried to comment over there, but you had to do so via blogfrog or FB and I am not on either currently.

  12. Yep. Dudes=joy for me too! And cupcakes. Can’t forget cupcakes:)

  13. You know…reading this brought me joy. Very well-written, Angie. 🙂

  14. I couldn’t agree more. The love and company of those around us that love us and care for us is the most joyful thing I can think of. Well put Angie. LOVE that photo!! xo

  15. Yes, sometimes it’s good to stop and see the joy in things. You have a lovely family.

  16. Your family?

    Is SO gorgeous!!!!

  17. I’m just insanely jealous that everyone is looking so nicely at the camera. I can’t even get my two kids to do that! Very impressive!

  18. Awesome family huddle 🙂 I love the part about getting the twins here on earth safe and sound. Been in that same worn out position, but it was so worth it! At 7 months, home bound, swollen and miserable though I wasn’t quite sure yet?? “…everything I never knew I always wanted.”

  19. Somebody to divide it with… definitely. Loved this, Angie!

  20. What a beautiful family you have. Don’t know how you do it. You are amazing! Very inspiring post.

  21. What a BEAUTIFUL family!

  22. Gorgeous family, and gorgeous words!

  23. Joy definitely comes to those who seek it and accept it. I relish in the joyous moments daily in life. This week’s it is spending time at our family farm with 4 generations together as my grandparent’s celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary!

  24. I love the picture of your family, so beautiful!

    And my 3 guys bring me joy (and of course Disneyland)! 🙂

  25. Being able to stay home and homeschool my kids brings the greatest joy I have ever known! Thanks for sharing this…

  26. I love that Mark Twain quote – and it’s so true! All my joy is divisible by two as well. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again – you have a BEAUTIFUL family. 🙂

  27. I love that quote about joy… featured it on my wedding program over 12 years ago! Thanks for reminding me!

  28. What a beautiful post! I love what you said about joy not coming alone. It is so true. Joy is so much greater when shared!

    You have a lovely family.

    Happy Wordful Wednesday everyone!

  29. My kids. My husband. Nature. A great meal. And photography. Always photography.

    ———————————–
    My photography is available for purchase – visit Around the Island Photography and bring home something beautiful today!

  30. Well said, and your family is beautiful!!

  31. Agreed. Family = Joy. Also on my list? Faith and friendships. Guess it’s all about the F words today.

  32. Much the same as you – to be honest. Beautiful family pic.

  33. What a beautiful post! I could not agree more. 🙂

  34. Gotta say the family, too!

    You are very blessed!

  35. What a beautiful family you have. Enjoy each and every minute with those precious babies!

  36. Beautiful post with a beautiful message!

  37. That is an awesome quote and so true. Your family is beautiful:)

  38. Your answer is so beautiful and sweet.

    Now I feel bad I was going to answer cheese.

  39. So Sweet. My first is 8 months old and I’m starting to learn what you are talking about. I am hoping to have a large family someday. Your family is beautiful.

  40. My kids are HUGE source of joy for me as well. And my three yr old is kicking me right now because he is sure he is among those kids in your family photo! 🙂

  41. Lovely post and a beautiful family, I only had two kids and wish I had more!

  42. What a beautiful post. What brings me joy are carefree days running in the park with the kids, watching them laugh in the sun. Thanks for the inspiration today.

  43. Very nice family picture. I love your explanition behind what brings you joy. My kids are my biggest joy 🙂