[community] joy.

"Joy is the evidence of participating in connection.” - Ross Gay

I love this definition of joy!

Joy is in community - connecting with others, especially when life is hard. It is reflexive to want to cocoon when life is hard - wrap up in a warm blanket and shut out the world (which is ok to do sometimes). However, joy is not found there.

Joy comes when you welcome others into the laughter or the tears in your life (even when you don't feel like you want to).

Our 13 yo son, Cooper, was diagnosed with cancer this past week (specifically Osteosarcoma). It has been a shock to our family and a reminder that part of living is the hard parts, which I chat about on the regular in this newsletter.

It has caused me to reflect deeply on the truths I have learned about joy (I feel it is no accident that I have been nudged to do a deep dive into joy practices over this past year - these practices that I thought I was learning to help others have already helped me to a great degree).

As a family we have turned outward and served others - striving to put into practice our motto of "give joy. feel joy." and we have also turned inward in contemplation and prayer.

We have peace.

We have waves of sadness.

We have hope.

It has given me a reminder that the work we do with Mattea's Joy is important. A reminder to parents that "you've got this" when life is a bit sideways is always a good idea.

Thank you for continuing to support this work of supporting parents through their hardest moments beside their children.

Tuesday, December 3rd is Giving Tuesday - a national day of giving that happens the Tuesday after Thanksgiving each year.

Many organizations will be asking you to give and I hope that you do. Give to a cause that you think could use your help to move a work forward that is important to you. You will feel the joy back that you are choosing to send out into the world.

You will receive an email from us that day and I welcome you to consider Mattea's Joy as a part of your giving.

In the meantime, I wish you and your families a meaningful and bounteous Thanksgiving. There is much to be thankful for!

give joy. feel joy.

jamie

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Mattea's Joy - 447 South Main Street, Bourbonnais, IL 60914
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