When Rich and I were first married, we lived in an apartment in Laramie, Wyoming. One day in October shortly after we moved in, we heard the thundering footsteps of three young children, kids who belonged to our new neighbors — Joey & Larie.
The four of us quickly became fast friends sharing late-night laughter and —when we could afford it — strawberry daiquiris.
Those two years as next-door neighbors became the basis for a lifelong friendship. The kind of friendship where, though you don’t see each other that often, you are immediately able to pick up where you left off.
So, it’s been several years since we last saw Joey & Larie, but earlier this month our son and his ice-skating partner competed in USFS Pairs Nationals in Allen, Texas.
Since Joey and Larie’s older daughter lives near the rink, they drove down from Oklahoma so we could all get together. It was perfect!
Last weekend after we’d gotten home, I wandered from booth to booth a craft fair, looking at wreaths and Christmas crafts, reflecting on how very blessed I felt to be able to see Joey and Larie again.
That thought no more than crossed my mind than I turned the corner and saw a small sign that read “Find Joey.”
On second look, I realized it didn’t say “Find Joey” at all. It was simply an odd font, and instead, the sign actually read “Find Joy.”
But my misreading of that slogan reminded me of something that seems fitting to ponder on Thanksgiving Day— the idea that we find what we look for.
I know it holds true for me. Since I began my journey into joy, I’ve come to understand that I find what I look for.
When my thoughts were on Joey and Larie? Presto — I saw a sign that told me to Find Joey.
When I look for yellow pickup trucks, I find yellow pickups. When I look for little blue coupe, I find little blue coupes. When my thoughts focus on something to be angry or complain about, I find it.
Because I know I find what I look for, I’ve made a point of looking for #ThisDaysJoy, for reasons to feel gratitude.
It’s evening now, with Thanksgiving Day drawing to a close. I hope you looked for — and found —-many things to be thankful for.
And, until the season rolls around again, may you look for—and find—many reasons to be grateful and joyful each day.