week in joy

dig through the ditches

I didn’t think I was going to write a column for joy this week. It was a rough one, starting out Monday with a five hour drive to upstate New York to attend my young cousin’s funeral. We got home late Wednesday afternoon and I remember thinking that it was going to be hard to find joy this week. But then I went through my camera roll and realized I did have moments of joy. I did experience happiness. It was just hard to see in the sad moment we were having as a family. I can look back now and appreciate that I had some levity and smiles this week. Life goes on for the living.

Ah, fall. The time of year when nature looks most beautiful right before everything dies. It’s a reminder to take it all in, to grasp those colors and mild temps and bright blue skies before it all goes to winter hell. The ride upstate and back was made less tedious by the spectacular views driving through Pennsylvania and New York. Miles and miles of gorgeous foliage with mountains looming in the distance. I love this time of year as much as I dread what it brings.

Speaking of this time of year, I did get out to Stew Leonard’s for some pumpkins and mums. I went very low key on the decor this year’ just the flag, two lawn things, two mums, two pumpkins. It made me really happy to do this, to embrace the season and add a little color to a dying landscape. I took a walk after I did this and so many of my neighbors have gone full Halloween this year. I love seeing all their decoration, the creativity that goes into some of these houses is incredible. I’ll try to take some pictures for next week’s joy column.

Years ago, before my sister Lisa moved to Rhode Island, we (my two sisters and I) would meet up for lunch every payday at Houlihan’s in Westbury. Lisa would always have the buffalo chicken fingers with mashed potatoes. Jo always got the stuffed mushrooms. And I always got the buffalo chicken salad. We’d talk and laugh and pretend for 45 that we didn’t have to go back to work when we were done.

Lisa moved, then Houlihan’s closed (the two were unrelated). End of an era, right? We had some good times there with our favorite waiter/stand up comedian. But all things must pass. OR do they? I found out fairly recently that there is a Houlihan’s in Farmingdale, not even two blocks from the dispensary. So Jo and I made a road trip Thursday to both places. She got the mushrooms. I got the buffalo chicken salad. It was as good as I remember. It was just missing Lisa.

Guess what’s back on my tv? That’s right, Islanders hockey is back, baby. It is hockey season. Few things make me happier or bring me as much joy as hockey season. And when it’s coupled with the Yankees and Mets in the playoffs? Doesn’t get much better, sports wise.

I saw the Aurora Borealis! It was faint and didn’t last very long but I saw it and I was thrilled beyond belief. This is the ONLY thing on my bucket list. See the Northern Lights. That’s it. And I did. Sure, I would love to travel and see them in their natural habitat and full beauty, but this was still something special.

So I had a good amount of joy this week despite the sad nature of my trip. I needed some life affirming moments and I got them.

Hope your week was great, and the week ahead brings you good fortune.