So good to see you here, Andrew! Glad you are still inspired to share your poetic viewpoint. It is perfect, as always. Sending prayers and hugs of joy.
It's been a rough week. Our neighbours' daughter (14) was rescued from sex traffickers after we the community put out an all-hands appeal.
For myself, I had a bad fall and am recovering from severe concussion, our senior German Shepherd died, and an insanely energetic Malinois puppy showed up.
It's hard to feel poetic, but Dr. Kate always inspires, doesn't she?❤️
I hope you are recovering from your concussion, I’ve kept you in my prayers.
The Mal puppy will certainly keep you on your toes (hopefully). They are energy machines. I have their cousin the Tervuren. Sundance is 8 and starting to slow down and mellow out. As a young pup, I described him as a kangaroo on Crack. I’d never seen that much enthusiasm and energy bundled into one little, growing puppy. Enjoy your Mal 🙂
Thank you for continuing to share your words and your heart. Praying for your recovery from the concussion and your sanity with a new puppy in the house. 🫶🏻
Would love to do a summer book club, to accompany me as I travel through my ache — chemo and treatment for uncurable, metastasized uterine sarcoma — and my gratitude — still being alive for more precious days. I just keep repeating: the body is weak, but the spirit is strong. Joyful anyway! Your words are such a gift.
That sounds fantastic, Kate! Thank you for offering to share your summer with us. I just want my head to calm down, and my body to release this tension I am holding on to, that I don’t even realize and that I don’t want
I love your work so much and I love the idea of a book club and the summer stuff. My ache consists of being a parent to two adult children, both in situations I didn’t expect or hope for, but attempting to live joyfully gardening, reading, walking the dog, etc while trying to be diligent planning for special needs and uncertain futures. Your work has been so life sustaining for me. Thank you so much.
Indeed. Nothing seems to compare with the ferocity of love, anxiety, and pain we can feel toward our children……and more so for our adult children. Praying for you both right now.
I just love you. And Annie LaMott, and Nadia Bolz-Weber, and Barbara Brown Taylor, and Brene Brown, and Sarah whose last name I can't remember, and so many others both living and gone. All of you who speak the truth I don't have words for and who assure us every day that we are not alone.
Words indeed do matter. Sometimes they surprise us by turning into deeply profound meaning that arises from the delightful chemistry we have with the one speaking them. That is what you do, dear Kate:) I am presently painting my garage (and I have a sore hip). You have now become part of that mighty summer project because two salty tears fell into the paint can, as I read your lovely letter about joy that springs radiantly out of the grumpiness of unfinished stuff (and sore joints). I could not show up on your tour, but I am a devoted reader/listener - because you are you (heart emoji)!
Thank God you do exist, Kate! The more I read you, the more I start dreaming of reviving my dream from 15 years ago: to start a publishing business here in Poland. It would probably make me bankrupt pretty quickly, as true spirituality doesn’t sell as well as “self-improvement” books. And yet, I cannot stand that nobody has a chance of reading Rachel Held Evans’s books in Polish, or Fr. Rolheiser’s trilogy (The Holy Longing was published once many years ago and never reprinted), and there is no chance that anybody will publish you, Nadia, or Sarah. And for me you are my newly discovered spiritual companions! So let me think — in August I turn 50. Maybe it’s high time to do something I always dreamed of.
I'm sitting in the waiting period of results after this latest round of treatment for a stage 4 rectal cancer diagnosis, at the beginning of summer, raising 2 small children, trying to move, and progress forward toward my PhD to improve systems for children and families with complex medical needs. I'm coming off of a hard meeting with the program admin, requesting a simple accommodation, seriously having to fight for disability accommodations...asking for remote access to a 4 day, 1 credit course. Not asking for anything else! Mindblowing at the discriminative comments in that meeting by admin! 🤯 Beyond grateful for the Disability Resource Center. I have a rock star advocate. And through this, my kids bring me joy every day. They make me laugh every day. From the stuffies that talk and act silly and sassy (not my kids of course 😂); To the running, launching, leaping hugs that they give me when I pick them up from childcare and school 🥰. They give me immense purpose to continue pursuing my advanced degree. Because every child, no matter their address or other SDOH or educational status of their parents, deserves the automatic and seemless robust supports to thrive in life.
I traveled from Oregon to NYC to see you, Kate. I also got to connect with a dear friend from high school. I invited him to join me at your event and he loved it! We shared so much joy in that week. Thank you for being part of it.
Yes! To all of it. You inspire me, Kate Bowler. Grateful for you and all you put out there in the world. Carry on😉😁
Well you are a bright beam of encouragement. Thank you 💛
Let us be Joyful, Anywhere,
everywhere and anyhow.
Let us put down this moment's care,
join our hands, and find out how
we can reflect the charm and grace
of simplicity within,
how we may reflect God's face,
mirror His smile, and thus begin
the slow and sure awakening
that together we can build,
and what we are partaking in
may leave a wider world fulfilled
by the love that led we few
to do what we have hearts to do.
So good to see you here, Andrew! Glad you are still inspired to share your poetic viewpoint. It is perfect, as always. Sending prayers and hugs of joy.
Marsha, thanks, especially for the prayers.
It's been a rough week. Our neighbours' daughter (14) was rescued from sex traffickers after we the community put out an all-hands appeal.
For myself, I had a bad fall and am recovering from severe concussion, our senior German Shepherd died, and an insanely energetic Malinois puppy showed up.
It's hard to feel poetic, but Dr. Kate always inspires, doesn't she?❤️
Praying for a better week this week!
Lynne, thank you... I sure could use a break!
🙏 prayed for you this morning🙏
I am so sorry for your hard week.
Thank you so much, Donna.
I hope you are recovering from your concussion, I’ve kept you in my prayers.
The Mal puppy will certainly keep you on your toes (hopefully). They are energy machines. I have their cousin the Tervuren. Sundance is 8 and starting to slow down and mellow out. As a young pup, I described him as a kangaroo on Crack. I’d never seen that much enthusiasm and energy bundled into one little, growing puppy. Enjoy your Mal 🙂
Thank you for continuing to share your words and your heart. Praying for your recovery from the concussion and your sanity with a new puppy in the house. 🫶🏻
Tina, thank YOU. Little Juno is truly a sweetheart, though I swear I see footprints on the ceiling.
Double Yes! I am one week out from total knee replacement surgery and I certainly need this! Thank you so much!
I’m having one in a month and agree I need this now more than ever. Praying you heal quickly! 🙏🏻
I do pray yours goes as well as mine. Not easy but not nearly as bad as I thought it would be 🙏💕
Praying for you, Linda, for a straightforward surgery and a quick recovery.
😘💫💚
Oh, I thought you were having the surgery yet to come in a week!
Praying then for a quick recovery.
May the surgeons' hands be guided
by the mighty hands of the Lord.
Would love to do a summer book club, to accompany me as I travel through my ache — chemo and treatment for uncurable, metastasized uterine sarcoma — and my gratitude — still being alive for more precious days. I just keep repeating: the body is weak, but the spirit is strong. Joyful anyway! Your words are such a gift.
"Still being alive for more precious days." There is so much courage and clarity in that sentence.
Prayers and courage for you Laura
✝️
Sending prayers of hope, love and joy for you. In solidarity 💞
😘💫💚
That sounds fantastic, Kate! Thank you for offering to share your summer with us. I just want my head to calm down, and my body to release this tension I am holding on to, that I don’t even realize and that I don’t want
Me too, Kathryn. You spoke the very words I feel so keenly.
I love your work so much and I love the idea of a book club and the summer stuff. My ache consists of being a parent to two adult children, both in situations I didn’t expect or hope for, but attempting to live joyfully gardening, reading, walking the dog, etc while trying to be diligent planning for special needs and uncertain futures. Your work has been so life sustaining for me. Thank you so much.
Parenting adult children as they walk through life and the struggles it brings is a whole different ache. 🥹
Indeed. Nothing seems to compare with the ferocity of love, anxiety, and pain we can feel toward our children……and more so for our adult children. Praying for you both right now.
Thank you so much. All prayers are being accepted!
Every week a Joy Anyway message from Kate?! That sounds lovely - along with the summer book club!
Thank you, Kate, for your generous heart♥️
I would love to join a book club with this beautiful community. I’ve been missing everyone. Thank you.
Your words are like the sunrise to me - always brightening my day. Thank you and God Bless you in every step you make and every breath you take!
I just love you. And Annie LaMott, and Nadia Bolz-Weber, and Barbara Brown Taylor, and Brene Brown, and Sarah whose last name I can't remember, and so many others both living and gone. All of you who speak the truth I don't have words for and who assure us every day that we are not alone.
I love all the authors you mentioned!
Oh, yes please...the chaos is cement in my lungs.
Words indeed do matter. Sometimes they surprise us by turning into deeply profound meaning that arises from the delightful chemistry we have with the one speaking them. That is what you do, dear Kate:) I am presently painting my garage (and I have a sore hip). You have now become part of that mighty summer project because two salty tears fell into the paint can, as I read your lovely letter about joy that springs radiantly out of the grumpiness of unfinished stuff (and sore joints). I could not show up on your tour, but I am a devoted reader/listener - because you are you (heart emoji)!
Thank God you do exist, Kate! The more I read you, the more I start dreaming of reviving my dream from 15 years ago: to start a publishing business here in Poland. It would probably make me bankrupt pretty quickly, as true spirituality doesn’t sell as well as “self-improvement” books. And yet, I cannot stand that nobody has a chance of reading Rachel Held Evans’s books in Polish, or Fr. Rolheiser’s trilogy (The Holy Longing was published once many years ago and never reprinted), and there is no chance that anybody will publish you, Nadia, or Sarah. And for me you are my newly discovered spiritual companions! So let me think — in August I turn 50. Maybe it’s high time to do something I always dreamed of.
Turning 50 is a lovely time to try out a dream.
Fortunately I have a voice of reason at home :)
A summer book club sounds lovely and could put more joy in my life than an icy gin and tonic - although often the drink is enough.
I'm sitting in the waiting period of results after this latest round of treatment for a stage 4 rectal cancer diagnosis, at the beginning of summer, raising 2 small children, trying to move, and progress forward toward my PhD to improve systems for children and families with complex medical needs. I'm coming off of a hard meeting with the program admin, requesting a simple accommodation, seriously having to fight for disability accommodations...asking for remote access to a 4 day, 1 credit course. Not asking for anything else! Mindblowing at the discriminative comments in that meeting by admin! 🤯 Beyond grateful for the Disability Resource Center. I have a rock star advocate. And through this, my kids bring me joy every day. They make me laugh every day. From the stuffies that talk and act silly and sassy (not my kids of course 😂); To the running, launching, leaping hugs that they give me when I pick them up from childcare and school 🥰. They give me immense purpose to continue pursuing my advanced degree. Because every child, no matter their address or other SDOH or educational status of their parents, deserves the automatic and seemless robust supports to thrive in life.
I traveled from Oregon to NYC to see you, Kate. I also got to connect with a dear friend from high school. I invited him to join me at your event and he loved it! We shared so much joy in that week. Thank you for being part of it.