Finding joy...

Photo by Geran de Klerk on Unsplash

Finding joy 
even in 
the worst circumstances
was our lifeline. 

---

I recall one morning, Jeff sat at the kitchen table. He was slumped over his bald head resting on his hand. He didn’t feel well. He was on round two of chemotherapy.

Delaney came out from her bedroom and looked at Jeff for a moment. She asked if she could touch his head. Jeff managed a small grin, “Yes of course.”

She placed her small hand on his head and then gave him a pat. His head was perfect—evenly round.
He laughed, “I look good bald!”
He truly did. Delaney nodded in agreement.

I loved that Jeff could laugh, could find his own joy even when he felt awful, tired, and weak. Even when he had no hair. He then made a comment about how his head was cold.

I chimed in, “I’ll buy some hats for you.”, proud there was something I could do.

Jeff joked about shopping for wigs and that’s when Delaney disappeared from the kitchen.

She came back carrying her long white-haired wig. It was part of her costume when she dressed up as Elyse from the movie Frozen. She handed it to Jeff. He examined it for a moment as we waited to see what he would do. He placed it over his head and smiled.
Delaney shouted, “Brindsley come look at Dad!”
Brindsley came running out from his room to see what the commotion was.

Delaney’s eyes widen as she hugged Jeff and Brindsley did too. I was so happy to see Jeff show up for Delaney when he felt so lousy. He was answering back with joy. We laughed as we stood in the kitchen. Jeff wearing a white-haired wig and a grin from ear to ear.

We are going to be okay.

---

Thank you for reading.

Take good care,

Julie