May Your New Year And All The Days Beyond Be Filled With Joy!

May Your New Year And All The Days Beyond Be Filled With Joy!

by MARIE WILLIAMS

December 30, 2021

Early in the morning on December 20, 2018, I sent my son a text message wishing him a happy birthday. Little did I know that when he responded, he was in the Charlotte airport waiting for a connecting flight to Evansville.  He wished me a happy last day of work before my retirement and said he hoped I could reflect on the joy that my 40+ year career in Catholic education had brought me. Later that day he surprised me in person when he appeared at the school gathering to wish me well – a special gift my daughter had arranged.

That day and many days since my son and I have discussed the difference between happiness and Joy.  We agree that happiness is temporary and circumstantial.  Joy comes from deep faith and is experienced even in the darkest of times.  Joy persists because faith, hope, and love are everlasting. If we did not love, we would not feel the pain.  But Love prevails.  And Faith and Joy prevail.

The holidays bring a mix of thoughts and emotions to most people.  They are often a happy time.  But for many people, the holidays are filled with emptiness and pain.  The older one grows, the greater the mix of emotions, because of the greater likelihood that difficulties have been experienced.  I know many people who have experienced great hardships and yet are filled with joy.  One of these, in particular, lost a sibling who was very close in age and relationship at Thanksgiving time.  She has survived the loss of other loved ones, job losses, encephalitis, brain surgery, and cancer.  Yet she is one of the most joy-filled persons I have ever known.   One of my dearest classmates has spent this holiday time in hospice care, yet she too is one of the most joy-filled individuals I have had the privilege to know.  

This year my daughter and I flew to Orlando early in December to celebrate my son’s birthday and Christmas.  Every seat was filled on the 6:20 a.m. flight from Indianapolis.  A family of five was the last group to board.  The mother and children were seated together in the back, and the dad took the middle seat next to me near the front.  He seemed very stressed.  I rarely talk to strangers on planes, but I thought this man needed a smile and some kind words.  I asked if his wife and the children were seated together.  He said, “Yes, but my wife is going to have a difficult flight.  We were late because it took so long to clear my son’s medications through security. We are on a WISH trip.  My son beat cancer, but some of his organs have failed and he needs transplants.”  I told him I was so sorry to hear that.  My heart ached, but I told him that my niece had been on a WISH trip to Disney and it was a wonderful experience.  I shared many of the blessings that my sister had shared with me more than 10 years ago.  

When the pilot came on to tell us a radio was not working, and that we needed to wait and might even have to change planes, this courageous father told me that he had never flown before.  About twenty minutes later we were cleared for take-off, and we were on our way.  

As we neared the end of the flight, I told my seatmate that I would pray for him and his family.  He thanked me and then paused.  “The name is, Carl,” he said.  I assured him of my prayers, and I am still praying.  I am confident this family had a happy time at Disney World and I am deeply grateful.  My prayers for them are that their Love and Faith will sustain them with Joy in the difficult times ahead.  

Lessons from many loved ones, renewed by conversations with my son and seatmate, have caused me to often reflect on the difference between happiness and joy—especially this year.  The Christmas season gives us the opportunity to renew our love for family and friends and to reflect on the true joy of the season.  Happy holidays are transient, but Love, Faith. Joy and Christmas are everlasting.  

Y