Joy is ....listening to my grandchildren laugh....snuggling with my 7 year old granddaughter when she sleeps over.....sharing the memories of Mike with family and friends who loved him as much as I and being able to smile at those memories....

I am delighted to realize a lot of things bring me joy. My 8 year old granddaughter is with me almost 24/7 and she is joy personified. She wakes up smiling and is such a happy soul. Bill and I used to laugh about it and he'd tease her and say "Gee Teigan, cheer up." as she skipped past.
We talk about Bill everyday and I love that it's not tainted by sadness when she laughs about the things they did, and especially the things they did that I didn't know about.
"This one time Papa and I got a slurpee at 7-11 and he drank all his, but I was almost finished mine and you came home unexpectedly and Papa said "Quick, she's here!" so I jumped up and threw the container in the recycling and then we sat there and acted like we weren't up to anything." and then she giggles. I am glad that my forbidding slurpees resulted in those two feeling like they got away with something.
I find joy in my work as well, I usually have really nice customers, and I love it most when a child is buying a gift for a parent. No matter how little money they have they are leaving with something nice and prettily wrapped that they'll feel proud to give.
Mostly it's being around others that brings me joy, I love people and meeting them, listening to their stories and laughing.
When I'm alone what brings me joy is listening to an audiobook by an author I love, narrated by a gifted reader.

Thanks for making me smile Mel40.

Joy to me is being able to see the goodness in others and the beauty around me. It was gone for a long time after my husband died and when I did see it I was angry not joyful. It is being able to accept the faults in others because I recognize them in myself and love them anyway. It's a quite peace in my soul that.gives me the strength to live. Sharon

Dogs, friends, nature, stepchildren and grandchildren, music and daydreaming about seeing my darling again. Above all, knowing I have a Higher Power who is always here for me....

Joy ---
Viewing flowers in the garden in the early morning light
Hearing a baby laugh
Seeing a child learn something new and share it with others
Seeing someone do a random act of kindness for someone else
Hearing someone say thank you and express sincere gratitude
Hearing raindrops start to fall when the ground is so dry
Hearing someone say "I love you" or give you a hug
Knowing God loves me
When a friend wants to get together
Seeing my grown children do something thoughtful or considerate of others
Feeling appreciated or valued
Feeling that I make a difference in the lives of others