Friday Positivity
Sometimes hope and joy comes in the weirdest ways.
I have told y’all before that Justin has struggled with poop training. He has struggled with constipation throughout his young life, and frequently his bowel movements are painful. It has made him - completely understandably - pretty apprehensive about the whole idea of pooping, much less climbing on a toilet to do it.
We have tried all sorts of ways to help support him. Books, movies, sticker charts, M&Ms, constant reassurance and feedback. We have really worked hard in the hopes that at some point, he would put poop in the potty.
A couple of weeks ago I decided to start moving his potty into his room at quiet time. I thought that in there, with the room closed, surrounded by his toys and books, he might be comfortable enough to try. He peed a couple of times, but mostly it was a bust.
Until a couple of days ago.
I put him to quiet time like normal, and about 30 minutes into it I hear a ruckus coming from his room. “I DID IT! I DID IT! I PUT POOPY IN THE POTTY!” He opened his door, pants around his ankles, with an enormous smile on his face. By that time, Barb had made it upstairs and we both went in to his room. Sure enough, there in his potty was a big, healthy poop.
We got him cleaned up, and he and I went to the bathroom to flush his work. We hugged him and told him we were so proud of him. He couldn’t stop smiling. “I did a great job,” he said. We reassured him he did.
And then y’all. He started crying. Tears of joy, tears of relief, tears of pride. His little body was just so overcome with emotion that he cried. It was so achingly wonderful.
Look. Hope and joy come in strange ways. They hide in challenging situations, and they live in disagreeable people. Hope and joy can sneak up on you.
My biggest joy this week - some of the most love and joy I have felt in a while - came in the form of a literal pile of shit this week.
Things have been so challenging the past 5 years. Especially the last year or so. We have faced so many challenges collectively, and I have overcome so much personally. It can be hard to find joy in all that surrounds us.
And it is there. It exists, it is real, and it is important. Finding beauty and joy right now may be the most important thing any of us can do. And it may require us to look in unusual places and at unconventional things.
Like a pile of shit.
What about you? What has been YOUR joy this week. I have shared this week’s Friday Positivity with everyone on the email list. And I would like all of you to consider leaving a comment and sharing something good. Recognizing the good is good. Sharing the good is great.
Please click and share some good stuff, y’all. And thank you.
A couple of programming notes. I have made my post about the Capitol riot public, so it is available to share as you want. Tomorrow I will be sharing the latest 5 Things with everyone on the list. Subscribers will get the latest Undelivered Sermon on Sunday, and the Daily Update will return on Monday. This is my semi-regular reminder that a subscription costs less than $1 a week. If you don’t currently subscribe, please consider giving your support.
Be well everyone. SHARE SOMETHING GOOD!
And keep pounding the rock.
So glad to hear this story of Justin. As a former preschool teacher of 2 year olds, I remember trying to help little ones with such issues. Congratulations to all of you! Love his words and tears of joy.
A bit of a hard week here, but always there are joys. Mine come in the form of simple pleasures: a red recumbent bicycle and a bubbling brook. I took a walk again in the woods near Wilson Park. I love going down near Bolin Creek and just standing and listening to the water tumble over the rocks. It always restores my soul. I have a bicycle that I've had for 16 years. It is comfortable and I love riding. This week two afternoons were almost warm enough to be comfortable riding. I enjoyed cruising the neighborhood on my comfy seat. Oh, and a walk while talking on the phone with a friend - always good.
And Jeff, I think you said you liked "Golden Girls." I am also a fan. You may know that Betty White turns 99 on Sunday. TVLand Channel is having an all day tribute to Rose Nylund / Betty White.
Last weekend my sister and her husband were out for a walk near their home.Without any warning they were hit from behind by a car that was involved in a multi-vehicle accident. Miraculously, they were thrown clear and landed on the grass. Other than some sore spots they're fine. They were even able to walk a half a mile home once they were checked out by the ambulance driver. They both could have been killed or badly injured, but they weren't. So grateful.