Find the Joy and Try to Hold on To It

In the last post I made was on the Anniversary of Laurens passing. In it I showed and mentioned a treasured image of LaLa scooting around our kitchen, dining room and living room on a little care we had purchased for Christmas for one of her little cousins.

Thinking and writing of that day, that priceless moment, still brings a smile to my face in spite of the heaviness of our sense of loss. She laughed and smiled, we laughed and smiled with her. As I mentioned in the post, Most of that was just the joy of seeing her happy. I think she felt it too!

JUST A GOOFY LITTLE CAR

It may have been that very day, or a day or two after, but Lauren eventually asked her mom if the little car could be added to her 12 days gift. Twelve days was a thing we did were the 12 days before Christmas each morning the kids would have a little and sometimes not so little gift to open leading up to “The Day”, Christmas. For my part, it connected me to an experience I treasure when my dad would take the time between Christmas and New Year, it was often the only time he got off, to celebrate and be with family. For me it was always filled with fun and laughter. A week to have my dad around and enjoy my Christmas gifts, ha ha!

FIND YOUR LOVED ONES JOY

I am guessing, probably accurately, that LaLa was trying to hold on to the joy we all felt in that moment in our kitchen. For a person facing addiction, mental health or both that’s very important. First, because there just is not much joy left. Second, because they need to know YOU CAN HAVE JOY AGAIN. For the addicted, its revealing I can have joy without my substance of choice. For someone facing mental health issues it’s I can have joy even while managing my mental health. It’s important.

MAKE SURE YOU DO NOT MISS IT

For Lauren this would often show up as here trying to connect with the beautiful little girl she was. Perhaps in her mind she saw those days as her happiest days. Maybe she felt they were easier, uncomplicated, and just plain fun.

Many times in either addiction or mental health, its very hard to see, even impossible, but it’s there! When you see it seize it, nuture it, build on it. For your loved one it may be the beginning of the path to “Brighter Days”

This week’s featured image is by Brooke Shaden, I am not aware of the title but it reminds me that our loved one in ways that may be obscured may be trying to resurrect joy-full moments and days. They need that!