Photo by Lori Loutsis

“Whimsy doesn’t care if you are the driver or the passenger; all that matters is that
you are on your way”

— Bob Goff, Love Does

My little grandniece ran up to my side window of the car as we were about to leave. She had a goodbye idea for me. Full of exuberance and joy, she pleaded, “Wait, wait, Aunt Wendy, I’ve got something for you.” Lila’s feet sped across the lawn as she disappeared behind the house. We love seeing our relatives in northern Idaho for weekend visits. My nephew’s young family recently moved back to town, so their two kids are a bonus.  Soon she was returning, as quickly as she left, with a big smile on her face and two handfuls of yellow flower petals.  She stood facing me outside my open window and threw her arms upward into the air. Lila giggled as petals filled the sky like confetti between our faces - yellow blossoms of sunshine on that warm summer day. I wished, if only for a moment, time could stand still.

My heart smiles every time I remember this magical gift. These flowers came from her garden - a little patch of land my sister has set aside for them to plant and grow. Lila’s gift was a whimsical expression of love - something she was glad to do spontaneously, freely, and exuberantly.  I will always remember our confetti goodbye.

“Cheerleaders along the way of hope
become a special kind of treasure.”

— Wendy Thayer, I Wish for You Hope

Earlier that same weekend, my husband and I stopped in for a visit at my cousin Anne’s. She has lived with Multiple Sclerosis for most of her adult life. It has limited her movements, yet cannot weaken her love. Anne lives up to her nickname, “Awesome,” and is one of the most grateful people I know. Her caregiver, Sher, is amazing too.  She takes Anne on outings to lakes and towns using a portable lift to get her in and out of the wheelchair. Recently, they decided they wanted to go camping. That is definitely not a small, nor practical, idea.  So, this is what Sher did instead. She set up a tent in Anne’s backyard, strung white lights, made a “campfire” with a propane fire ring, and roasted hot dogs. Sher’s boyfriend came with his guitar and they sat outside next to the tent. He played and sang as their evening turned into night and the sky filled with stars.  Anne was delighted!

These stories inspire my creativity and passion. How about you? Who do you know that needs a ray of sunshine, confetti smiles, or a backyard camp-out?

Our gifts of love can be simple, fun, and

g l o r i o u s. 

Let’s make it happen.

Let’s become “cheerleaders of hope”

for someone today!

“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God.”

— 1 John 4:7

Photo by Catalin Pop

“Happiness, not in another place, but this place ... not for another hour, but for this hour.”

— Walt Whitman

I recently watched the performance on America’s Got Talent by a lovely woman singing her original song, “It’s Okay.” She goes by the stage name, Nightbird. Her hope and joy touched so many hearts as she told the judges, “It’s important that everyone knows I’m so much more than the bad things that happen to me.” The bad thing(s) is cancer. She hasn’t been able to work for several years because she’s been fighting it. At the time of her performance, cancer was still present in her gorgeous, slight body … lessening her chance of survival to 2%.  But she’s living in hope, she has 2%.  You wouldn’t know her struggles by watching her. She sang the words, “It’s okay if you’re lost, and we’re all a little lost, and it’s okay” leaving the audience momentarily silent as they absorbed the message and the moment. Before it was all over, Nightbird spoke one more jewel,

“You can’t wait until
life isn’t hard anymore
before you decide
to be happy.”

— Nightbird

When someone, who has suffered this much, speaks…you listen.

I imagine she has certainly cried her tears, but she has also made a million little choices to choose joy. (I know some would say there’s a slight difference between happiness and joy, but I’m going to use them interchangeably here. I think we understand her meaning … that it is a choice).

Nightbird is victorious – no matter the outcome. She is victorious because she lives in hope and joy. This is her beautiful choice. And she glows.

I am humbled by her. My life currently isn’t as difficult and the irritants in my day are not life-threatening. But I too have decisions to make regarding my challenges in life.  Will I choose joy? Will you?

I would love to hear her recommendations, but from what I glean from her story and understand about God, here are some joy-filling choices worth making:

• Look for the good and keep it at the forefront of our minds

• Refuse to let the odds discourage us

• Find the sliver of hope

• Admit our errors

• Forgive others, and ourselves

• Accept that we can feel lost; we don’t have to be in control

• Avoid spilling our joy by thinking with criticism and judgment

• Offer grace

• Love deeply

Which of the above choices would make the most difference in the joy you experience? Whatever the challenges, I hope you will savor what’s good and choose joy today. When we see it so clearly in someone like Nightbird, we know it’s possible.   

I think you’re starting to glow already.

“And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”

— 2 Corinthians 2:18