Make a Joyful Noise
Wickeds, we’ve been talking about joy all month. We’ve sliced and diced it into people, places, food and things. What have we left out? Tell us about something that consistently brings you joy that you haven’t written about so far. The more out of the box, the better. And then tell us the same thing for a character.
Edith/Maddie: Other than gazing at my sons’ faces, you mean? Our cat Martin certainly brings me comfort and sometimes joy. He’s a big sweet fellow who keeps me company in my office as I work and curls up next to me on the couch as I read in the evenings. I love that he’s always around – and never bites. Mac Almeida’s African gray parrot Belle brings her joy. Belle makes her laugh. She was a solid companion when Mac was single and is now part of the family Mac and Tim have formed. The bird is pretty low maintenance and helps Mac stay happy. Plus, Belle once helped rescue Mac from a murderer! She’s definitely a keeper.
Liz: I know I talk about them all the time – but since I haven’t mentioned them yet in this month’s joy posts, I have to say my pups, Molly and Penny. I just celebrated their fifth Gotcha Days – I can’t believe it’s been that long – and they bring me joy every day. They’re funny and sweet and lovey and my constant companions.
Barb: Right now looking around our living/dining room gives me joy because we are all decorated for Christmas. I change the decor in our home seasonally. Nothing crazy, a few table runners or mats, something seasonal in a bowl, the color of the candles in the candlesticks. At Christmas, I go bigger, bringing out objects from my youth, my children’s childhoods, ornaments handmade by the granddaughters. It’s silly, really. Now that the family has left after our Thanksgiving weekend, no one will be here to see the house, except me, Bill, and the cleaning people. And it all needs to come down before we leave for Christmas in NYC and then Key West on December 22. But still, I do it because I love it. I do it because it brings me joy.
Jessie: Barb, you have really hit it out of the park this month! I have loved each of your questions! For me, I derive a great deal of joy from setting and striving for goals. I adore imagining something that comes to fruition. I also find joy in hosting. I love gathering people together and creating memorable experiences for them. Every month I host friends from my village to a gathering in my home. We meet on the third Friday of the month and have done for years. Over that time bonds of friendship have grown and connections have been forged. It simply delights me to hear and see the chatter and pleasure bringing people together creates!
Sherry: I loved reading all of your responses! So you said think outside the box, right? I love this Wonder Woman bracelet. Bob gave it to me for Christmas one year and told me I was his Wonder Woman — cue the tears. It’s always out in my office and it always makes me smile. It’s probably more about Bob than the bracelet so maybe my response isn’t so out of the box after all.
Readers: What is something that brings you joy that you haven’t mentioned yet this month?
