Thank You Notes #44

What Brings You Joy, Love, Warmth, and Hope in Life?

Is It Flowers or Kindness or Both?

The weather. Some days warm, Some days snowy. Hard to tell what’s next.

But tomorrow could be warm.

Tomorrow brings hope. Tomorrow brings love. What more can you ask for?

With love, I see with kindness.

Love has a way of bringing joy, Love has a way of easing stress, I choose love.

Because love conquers all.

It seems appropriate that thoughts of love surround us in February. Even if I’m not a huge fan of capitalism-inspired holidays, I always celebrate beyond a day because I believe that love conquers all.

I have not always known love. How many of you are nodding your head? I recently found out that my mom never wanted me. She’s still alive. Needless to say, we’ve had a tumultuous relationship. So, finding and living out my joy has been a life-long journey.

Joy comes in many different forms: my dog wagging her tail, my husband telling me sweet things, the sunshine on my face, lunch or dinner with a friend, deep, meaningful conversations with a good friend, writing, and painting.

Joy is also seeing the flowers pop up at springtime. In the Washington, DC area, tulips surround us in many places. Having worked in a flower shop many years ago, I am fond of flowers. Maybe it’s because my dad was a farmer turned USAID employee who had a penchant for modeling his work with his kids. Maybe it’s because both my parents loved the beauty of nature and my mother worked tirelessly to adorn the landscape of our house with beautiful flowers. Maybe it’s because it’s part of my DNA. I love photographing flowers and painting them.

So, maybe the moral of this is that flowers bring me great joy. One single flower has the power to change my frown into a smile. And that’s enough.

I just read this lovely poem by Jaclyn Wilde. Having been to the Van Gogh immersive experience, I resonated with her poem so much! And, if you have not been and you are able, I highly recommend it. It is sure to bring joy.

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