Advent III: Joy

Some years, there just isn't a lot of Joy hopping out from around the corners of my life. This has been one of those years. I have many memories of grateful moments this year; a few memories of moments of Peace. 

But Joy? Sadly, not so much.

Fortunately for me, my memory extends back past this year of trial, and somewhere in there, a bit dusty and hard to find because the index pointing to their location is rusty and disused, exist my memories of Joy.

Joy is fun. Its effervescent bubbles are stored right there with the memories, and when they come to mind, a few of the bubbles float to the top and pop on the surface, bringing a trace of Joy with them.

*bubble*pop*bubble*pop*

The moment when I first looked into the eyes of my newborn babe(s).  

*bubble*pop*bubble*pop*

Reaching the end of my Camino walk at Finisterre.

*bubble*pop*bubble*pop*

The first time I kissed him. 

*bubble*pop*bubble*pop*

Sitting in the dark, watching the flames flicker and dance, meditating on Joy, I reveled for just a moment in the reflected glow of the memories which slowly, creakily surfaced. I like these memories. They're proof Joy exists, and not just in the abstract. Joy exists for ME. 

And since it has existed in the past, I have no reason to doubt its future appearance.

This thought brings me great comfort.

This, too, shall pass. 
Joy will come again. 
Amen.