Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Joys Jots: A Life Well Lived

When I began this blog I wanted to remain anonymous. I am a very private person by nature. This blog was only meant to be a place to share my creative projects, not my life. But since this blog began I have had my fair share of "adventures" that have opened my life and made it more public. This has caused me to reexamine my goals. I believe life gives us experiences, both good and bad, to teach us. We can choose to learn the lessons and share with others or we can mope, complain, and grouch to others (and occasionally we can do both). I hope you don't mind if I begin to share some life lessons that come my way in the form of "Joy's Jots."  My goal is that in the sharing we might both to have more JOY in our home and in our life.
  
Just days before Christmas my husband's co-workers came to our home on two separate occasions to surprise us with multiple boxes of gifts. I was humbled, delighted, and beyond grateful for their kindness and charity. My sweet companion passed away nearly nine months earlier and yet his co-workers still loved him and missed him so much that they wanted to give to his family. They had already been incredibly generous to us after his death. What is most amazing is these are not people with whom he had worked with for years and years. After losing his own business my husband had taken this job just over a year and a half previous to his death. He was one of the oldest employees and many of the others were the age of our oldest children. They barely knew my husband and had only met the rest of our family at his funeral and yet they came bearing several gifts, months later, to bless our family. We laughed and cried as they told stories of the fun times and memories they had working alongside their beloved co-worker.

On Christmas morning I sat contemplating and staring at one large pile of presents. My thoughts were of gratitude. I was grateful for the givers and thankful for the life my husband lived. These gifts were given to our family because my husband had lived a good life. He was a man with no enemies. He never burned a bridge. He formed friendships easily, even with people he had only talked with on the phone. He always tried to see the positive. He would fill the room with his large personality and infectious enthusiasm. He worked hard, loved life, and enjoyed people. He made it a point to let others know of his love for them. The way he lived was a gift to all who knew him. Now, even in his death, his life was still bringing his family bounteous gifts. 
It was sobering for me to realize just how much living a good life can affect others long after we are gone from this earthly existence. It caused me to make a resolve to live better, to give more of myself to those I love, and to be more useful to my fellowman. 

We rarely get the opportunity to truly witness how our actions affect those we love but those stacks of boxes were a very tangible evidence of the gift of a life well lived. 

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

How thoughtful - your husband must have been an amazing person. I'm glad you were blessed by others during what must have been a very difficult first Christmas without your sweetheart. I love the idea of you sharing these joy jots - we can all learn from others experiences. God bless!

Sandy, Sisters of Season said...

I just was getting ready to leave to pic up my daughter from work and I came across your blog on my reader. I have followed your blog for awhile and haven't really done much blogging this past year, sort of got away from it. Anyways, I know your blog posting was meant to be read. I too, lost my husband Dave suddenly, back in July 2010. I created a blog in December 2009 and never realized how much it helped by blogging while going through grieving. I too was married to an absolutely wonderful person, who touched so many people in his life. There was not enough sitting room at church for his memorial, the parking lot was packed and then some. That's really when I realized how special my husband was and how honored it was to be married to him. Yes, we do leave a footprint when we leave this earth. Feel blessed and thank you so much for sharing something so personal. Sometimes you never know when you're going to touch someones heart in a special way. Believe me, I needed to read this today. Have a beautiful day, blessing and prayer is sent your way, Sandy xo

Michelle said...

Joy, it's been so long and I am so sorry for my absence and not knowing of your loss. Forgive me. :( Your post is so refreshing though. Your husband sounded like a wonderful man and we should all learn to live life as he did. What a special "gift" you had in him. My prayers and JOY to you Joy! xo

Gayle said...

Great insight you shared here Joy - thank you!

'T' said...

Not only are you creative in decor. but an excellent writer. Thank you for these thoughts; it sturred me deeply. Especially the kind of friend your husband was. He must have been truly needed on the other side. How blessed we are to know that families are forever.

grandmamarie said...

Oh, Sherm. Dang it. Still can't believe he left so soon. I'm so glad you were so well-loved during the holidays. I've been thinking about you and praying for you and your family. We love you.

Connie said...

I think your "Joys Jots" will be most welcome to everyone. Thank you for sharing about your husband and the way he lived. What memories you must have!

Allyson/HBMomof2 said...

What a wonderful legacy to live for your husband. I was having a trying week and wondering if "it" was enough and now I know it is. Thank you for sharing your life with us and giving so freely of your feelings. Blessings to you.

D'Net said...

Your husband was truly a wonderful man. Thank you for sharing him with us, and for sharing such personal and touching parts of your life.

the undomesticated wife said...

A wonderful story about thoughtful people! And also a good life lesson from your husband about always being kind and thoughtful. God bless!

Grandma said...

Joy, I just read of your husband's sudden death. My heart weeps for you. No words can give you peace only our Savior. As you are coming up on the year mark I hope you know that you are loved. Many prayers are being given in your behalf. You are an amazing woman.

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