My Story

The word JOY came into my life about 8 years ago.  I feel like I started the trend!  I chose to jump on the JOY train during one the the most challenging times of my life. I want to share my story with you .

My mom had dementia and spent  her last years in nursing homes. It was a journey that I never thought either of us would have to go on. Each day was different and filled with different surprises. I felt like I was on an emotional rollercoaster those last years. I learned so much about myself and my faith in God. Each day was different than the one before but so much the same in so many ways. I knew when I walked in the nursing home to see her there would be something that would take my breath away. No one took care of her like I would or loved her like I did. It was brutal for me to see what went on each day she was there. I had a talk with God and decided that for me to get through this journey that he chose for she and I that I needed some kind of strength to be there for her. I prayed and prayed harder than I ever had before.  One day while sitting in my car crying before I walked into the nursing home I had an Aha Moment. I heard God speak to me like never before. He said “Always choose joy ”.  So I started doing just that. I trusted God that this journey was for me and why, i really wasn’t sure. I was mad and sad and wondered why my beautiful mother would have to endure this horrible disease.  But most of all why would I have to lose my mother and my best friend to this horrible disease.

I became her voice, her advocate, her caretaker, the one who would be there for her every step of the way. I experienced things that never in my life i thought I could handle. But I was there for her and not because i had to, but because I wanted to. She was my mother and was always there for me. This is what unconditional love is.

Every day I woke up saying to myself..... always choose JOY.  And that I did. Some days it was harder than others and there were some days I cried Asking God to please show me the joy. Even on her last dying days I found joy. We listened to beautiful music together and I held her hand. Knowing mom wasn’t going to be around much longer was the hardest thing I ever imagined. But I looked back at this journey and realized that I learned so much from her. I thought i was teaching and helping her but in reality she was teaching me so much more. She taught me how the simple pleasures were the biggest pleasures. Sunshine was nothing to take for granted. Each day we sat outside eating chicken salad and watermelon became a luxury to she and I both. My daily visits and most twice a day made her smile. 

Through this lesson I knew I had a story and needed to share it.  I learned to see things in a different way and savor the moments that I didn’t before.  My mission is to spread the word to always choose joy to everyone and honor my mothers memory.  Her name was Pinky and she is shining down pink all over those who are spreading joy.

My mother passed away in 2018. In her honor and through her gift I created my always choose joy line.