unexpected joy

My forced narcissus bulbs bloomed last week, and the smell was glorious. Every time I passed them in my laundry room window facing the fish fountain I delighted in their fragrance, reminding me of the promise of spring, just around the corner. But the blooms are fading now, and shortly, I will have to remove them, let the stems wither down, and save them for next year.

My youngest, Lucie, turned eighteen at the end of January and on the morning of her birthday, I went nosing into my camera photos, indulging in a nostalgic tailspin over the pictures of her sucking her thumb with her blankie (her Titi), and always on my lap. Now, when she is home, she is surrounded by her friends or speeding off in her car. Living her best life.

Life is so short. Such a cliché to say, but the older I get, the more I see this is true. It makes me think about how fleeting life is, and how we have to capture joy, truly savor it when it comes.

My favorite poet to read these days is Mary Oliver, who speaks about life and nature in such beautiful ways. This poem really captured my thoughts of late.

 

Don’t Hesitate

BY Mary Oliver

If you suddenly and unexpectedly feel joy,
don’t hesitate. Give in to it. There are plenty
of lives and whole towns destroyed or about
to be. We are not wise, and not very often
kind. And much can never be redeemed.
Still, life has some possibility left. Perhaps this
is its way of fighting back, that sometimes
something happens better than all the riches
or power in the world. It could be anything,
but very likely you notice it in the instant
when love begins. Anyway, that’s often the case.
Anyway, whatever it is, don’t be afraid
of its plenty. Joy is not made to be a crumb.

Happy Tuesday! And may you all savor the joy in your life.