2 small "bubbles of joy" moments....but actually quite significant to me.
To explain why my joy moments are special, I need to share the background of the situation.
This past week I went with hubby, on his business trip. I wanted to visit some old memories.
It was in a city, that we used to live in.
For 5 years we lived by the sea-side, in this town. I have mixed emotions about those years. Some memories are wonderful, special, and full of joy and the thrill of seeing our boys growing up there. But there were also some dark incidents, and sad situations.
We have moved there hoping to settle, but under the surface of this picture perfect looking place, was an undertone of nervousness, and unease. We decided that this was not a place for us to raise our children, and we did not feel safe there anymore.
We did enjoy the ease of being able to bike to the beach, and to see the seasons by the seaside. Flip side, was that it was always windy, and that most of the time we were being sandblasted, or having to continually dust and vacuum the sand out of everything.
With these mixed memories, I went back to the old neighborhood, and did see if my internal navigation system ( GPS ) still worked, and if I could rediscover old haunts, and familiar faces. So much has changed in almost 20 years!!!! I found our old house, and wandered through the old neighborhood. The schools, parks, and streets now seem so much smaller, older, worn, and in many areas sadly untidy, and weathered. The sparkle and the colors that I remember from then, seem now to be faded and old. Even the houses seem drab and dull.
One final stop at the local mall, just to remember all the years of taking the boys to the supermarket there, and then schlepping the groceries home, all loaded up on the stroller, or later on the bike.
(dutch style).....
As I was about to walk out of the mall, I heard a woman's voice calling my name....from across the mall. Before I could even turn around, I was grabbed, and hugged....and to my delight I was looking into the face of my old "next door" neighbor. She had recognized me, even after 20 years. Now that I could step back, and truly look at her, I did recognize her too. She dragged me into her shop, and we were able to talk for almost 2 hours. She brought up so many nice and happy memories of those years we lived next to each other. She still lives in the same house...and has seen the entire neighborhood change, and waved so many of the neighbors goodbye as they moved away also....for the same reasons we too had left. She chose to stay...and has made a new life for herself and her daughters. She too had dark times, and difficult choices to make.
In those 2 hours, we enjoyed catching up with each other.
That was bubble of JOY # 1.
The other bubble of JOY #2 ; was the quiet hour I spent, at a beach pavilion, watching a sunset. I was alone (hubby was still working) and I decided to treat myself to a beautiful sea view....while enjoying a glass of cider. After finding a wind free spot on the patio...I very happily and emotionally comfortable, enjoyed being ALONE, with myself....and just absorbing the sun, sea, cider, and space.
Actually the perfect way to close the chapter of those unsettled years while living in that sea side town. Very symbolic and soothing moment at the shoreline as I closed that day, thankful for my 2 bursts of JOY.
To explain why my joy moments are special, I need to share the background of the situation.
This past week I went with hubby, on his business trip. I wanted to visit some old memories.
It was in a city, that we used to live in.
For 5 years we lived by the sea-side, in this town. I have mixed emotions about those years. Some memories are wonderful, special, and full of joy and the thrill of seeing our boys growing up there. But there were also some dark incidents, and sad situations.
We have moved there hoping to settle, but under the surface of this picture perfect looking place, was an undertone of nervousness, and unease. We decided that this was not a place for us to raise our children, and we did not feel safe there anymore.
We did enjoy the ease of being able to bike to the beach, and to see the seasons by the seaside. Flip side, was that it was always windy, and that most of the time we were being sandblasted, or having to continually dust and vacuum the sand out of everything.
With these mixed memories, I went back to the old neighborhood, and did see if my internal navigation system ( GPS ) still worked, and if I could rediscover old haunts, and familiar faces. So much has changed in almost 20 years!!!! I found our old house, and wandered through the old neighborhood. The schools, parks, and streets now seem so much smaller, older, worn, and in many areas sadly untidy, and weathered. The sparkle and the colors that I remember from then, seem now to be faded and old. Even the houses seem drab and dull.
One final stop at the local mall, just to remember all the years of taking the boys to the supermarket there, and then schlepping the groceries home, all loaded up on the stroller, or later on the bike.
As I was about to walk out of the mall, I heard a woman's voice calling my name....from across the mall. Before I could even turn around, I was grabbed, and hugged....and to my delight I was looking into the face of my old "next door" neighbor. She had recognized me, even after 20 years. Now that I could step back, and truly look at her, I did recognize her too. She dragged me into her shop, and we were able to talk for almost 2 hours. She brought up so many nice and happy memories of those years we lived next to each other. She still lives in the same house...and has seen the entire neighborhood change, and waved so many of the neighbors goodbye as they moved away also....for the same reasons we too had left. She chose to stay...and has made a new life for herself and her daughters. She too had dark times, and difficult choices to make.
In those 2 hours, we enjoyed catching up with each other.
That was bubble of JOY # 1.
The other bubble of JOY #2 ; was the quiet hour I spent, at a beach pavilion, watching a sunset. I was alone (hubby was still working) and I decided to treat myself to a beautiful sea view....while enjoying a glass of cider. After finding a wind free spot on the patio...I very happily and emotionally comfortable, enjoyed being ALONE, with myself....and just absorbing the sun, sea, cider, and space.
Actually the perfect way to close the chapter of those unsettled years while living in that sea side town. Very symbolic and soothing moment at the shoreline as I closed that day, thankful for my 2 bursts of JOY.
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