Big Joys in Life

At our Mom's Memorial with cousins and sons

Happiness makes up in height for what lacks in length.              Robert Frost  

Happiness is  not a goal it is a by-product.                                Eleanor Roosevelt

Big question...what  currently brings you the most joy in your life? This question is best tackled when things are running somewhat smoothly. Write it down. When life is rough it's a very handy list to have.

I'm thinking about the many things in my life that continually bring me joy. Joyful celebrations, top the list I have to admit. Big or small, the weddings of all the adult children, [my sons and all my nephews and nieces] in our big family left me with great, delicious memories. All the while, at theses festive occasions, no one knows what the future holds for these young adults. We all fervently wish copious, rich amounts of happiness. Another thought, will their marriage last a long, rich, happy time? Will they struggle physically, emotionally, financially? Will they divorce with rancor or part amiably? Will they have bonny children? Will they be successful, have plenty of money, be able to own a home? Will they be blessed with a long life? Will their dreams come true? Will they have their health? None of this is captured at the time of the wedding except in the minds of those of us who are 20 to 30 years their senior. Let it be at the joyous occasion, celebrate heartily and enjoy the moment.

 As an aside, I'm so glad that our mother, even though she declared, "I'm never going to travel out West again," came to every single one of the weddings [10 in approximately 10 years]. We have the pictures of her celebrating with her adult children, her grandchildren and even being with her great grandchildren. Blessed. We also have pictures that proved she wore the exact same pantsuit to each of the weddings. Modesty and a certain, "who cares" affected her choices in attire.  Priorities do change over the years...

Kathleen 

And now I have to add to that long list of wonderful weddings, one who also benefited from them, my little sister Kathleen. We reveled in seeing each other more often especially at these wonderful celebrations. Sadly Kathleen died unexpectedly of a heart attack at the age of only sixty seven years. [If you are saying, "only 67?!', you must be youngish. Just look at the picture of her...]

One of the greats joys in my life, and this is a continual joy,

is being with my grandchildren. No one can tell you how outrageously great it is to have a healthy baby of your son and daughter in law placed into your arms. That is a dream come true for me and my husband.There are few ecstatic moments in life and receiving these four babies was definitely four moments of ecstasy. Getting to enjoy each one of them through the years and reveling in their distinctive personalities is, in short, the best.

Helena, Mt.

Guess

Included in my list of big joys, are the grand trips.  For our big Anniversary last year, we took a road trip to several National Parks, and to say the least, it was worth it every day.  We tend to travel toward the family, mostly to celebrate something and hence our grand trips are all in the U.S. Though many of our friends and acquaintances do the race around Europe or the globe to points exotic, we haven't been to Europe or beyond in 20 years. We do get to Canada [exotic, no, but definitely a different cultural feel] because we live so close by.  I am grateful that we have a chance to stretch our US mind set by visiting our Canadian friends. When in conversation with the Canadians, they do often ask, "what has happened to the US?"  Meaning: we used to be so kind and generous. "Politics--- and Russia interfered in the election of  2016", I say and leave it at that.

I was delighted to go to Hawaii this year with my sister Sally. This was my fifth or sixth trip to these gorgeous islands. Each day we choose to snorkel to our hearts and bodies content. And then we delight in all the fresh fruit, and the just caught fish. It's easy to travel with people you love who also relish what you love.

Another joy, that is continually richer over time is our marriage. Marrying someone I not only love deeply but also respect, trust and who makes me laugh every day has worked marvelously for me.

susansmagicfeather copyright 2019 Susan R. Grout all rights reserved

 

Tell the Truth and Run!

Tell the Truth and Run or tell the truth and duck...folk sayings from Sweden

These phrases are some of my favorites and I used them all the time when I had my  

psychotherapy practice. Now, here's the sayings for anyone that I meet who has nervousness or concerns about saying just about anything that they believe in. Be a hero, tell the truth and work for goodness.

All of us were heartened by the victory of the US Women's Soccer team this weekend. A glorious victory from our tenacious, hard working team and we are all so proud of these female heroes. What I am also so very proud of is just this---that team not only walks, runs, kicks, their truth, they also live it and say it. "Equal pay for equal work, women's rights; LGBTQ rights, and finally, politically by refusing to go to a White House occupied by those who support bigots, misogynists, and cruelty. [below David Horsey's cartoon, 7/9/2019 in the Seattle Times]. This is supremely the opposite of what those women on the team want or stand for. They tell the truth, they deliver that truth in all ways.

It is going to take all of us to save this poor world, and I would like to plead with all of the young athletes in the US to do the same. There is no honor among liars and no one lies more on a daily basis than the current administration. 

To all of you who were touched by this scrappy, valiant team, tell the truth and run: run for office; run to volunteer your services to those in need; run to vote for morally competent people; run to vote for qualified,  competent people; run to support science and run to be a citizen that we can be proud of.

susansmagicfeather copyright 2019 Susan R. Grout all rights reserved