The interior of the dome of the Duomo in Florence, Italy
[cathedral] joy.
I have been privileged to see more than a few cathedrals. I studied abroad in Spain during college and passed by a stunning cathedral nearly each day at the city center and had the opportunity to visit many on our weekend trips around Spain and sometimes beyond.
One of the classes I took was art history and we would wander the streets of Granada each week learning about the styles of architecture and art that emerged at different periods of history (which was in itself SO cool, because I definitely couldn't have walked the streets of Champaign, Illinois where I spent the rest of my college days looking at anything nearly as historic). There is something special about being able to experience the places and culture you are learning about. It changed me forever.
I heard a brilliant woman speak this week about the concept of "cathedral thinking". When they began building the cathedral in Florence (the Duomo), with its breathtaking dome, they didn't yet have the technology to know how to finish a dome. However, that didn't keep them from starting to build the cathedral...having faith that those who would finish it would figure out how to have the skills to do it.
It takes time - and often many failed attempts - to learn new skills and to create beautiful endings.
There is joy in creation. There is joy in failing, but learning a bit to do it better next time.
There is hope in cathedral thinking. You may not know yet how to get life where you want it to be (or where you imagine it can be), but I hope it doesn't keep you from moving one small step forward today in creating it.
Imagine our world without many people before us who embraced "cathedral thinking" - we'd miss out on so many incredible discoveries and creations. I hope you will be a "cathedral thinker" in your own realm. It will benefit us all!
With joy,
jamie
joy.delivered
I am continually in awe of the incredible volunteers that show up month after month to make these deliveries happen!
Thank you - I truly couldn't do this work without you.
One of my favorite parts of these pictures in the wheelchair used as a cart...if you know, you know! Hospital staff members are some of the most creative people I know.
assembled.joy
Thank you to Mrs. O'Brien's 4th grade class from Manteno Elementary School for coming to our headquarters to assemble snack boxes. We have never had a group come for a field trip and it was so much fun to have them!
community.joy
I'm grateful to Kankakee School District 111 for gathering community partners to connect and share a breakfast together. There is so much joy in what these individuals are doing to serve our community and kids in amazing ways. It was lovely to be in their company and learn more about what they do.
Thank you to students from the Bishop McNamara Catholic School 4th grade class for their selection of Mattea’s Joy for the proceeds of their Economic Goods & Services Fair.They sold handmade bracelets, jewelry, candy salad, bookmarks, comic books, painted nails, hand massages, and hair braids to raise the funds. How fun!
We are so grateful to these budding entrepreneurs.
Run for joy!
Put on your cape and join us for a fun morning supporting families with hospitalized kiddos.
[Target] joy. Sometimes life gives you the best news in the middle of Target. Life keeps moving despite the challenging times and the best of times. I received some really awesome news this past week while standing in my local Target store - Cooper's tumor pathology (our son undergoing Cancer treatment for Osteosarcoma) came back as responding really well to chemo (95% great to be exact!). I cried. happy tears! I called Gary to celebrate from the car. People kept moving along around me and...
[tidy] joy. It feels a bit like spring today (at least where I live - it was nearly 60 degrees). That may have contributed to my thoughts about simple ideas that may spur on a bit of early spring cleaning, or at least a little less cluttered angst. There is joy in having great systems and less “extra” - sometimes that means literal things and often it’s simply too much noise or items in your calender or to do list. Either way, it’s clutter that is hindering you from living the life you love...
[practice] joy. January is the month that I have to work hardest to feel joy. I think it has always been this way...the typically post-holiday lull, very little daylight hours, and don't forget the cold (I do live in a place that the wind likes to hurt my face in January). However, it has been accentuated since 2010 when Mattea passed away in late January of that year. The abundance of December can often accentuate the dimness of January. Don't worry, this isn't a "Debbie Downer" of a post...
