Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Pain shared is pain diminished;; joy shared is joy

Joy is easy and joy is free and too often its misplaced like some spare change that escaped our pockets and gotten buried under the sofa cushions.

For me I still recall hearing that it takes far more msucles to wear a frown than a smile and so I committed to forcing a smile on my face. rather pollyanna sounding of me but when I jam that smile on there broad and mighty it actually feels like it is an exercise stretching the taut muscles around my fused spine.

Anyway it has the effect, I tell my foolish self of making others inquire that if my twisted body can be topped with a countenance wearing such a smile why can't they. EIther that or they think I'm pixilated. ( Obscure b//w movie reference.)

For me this past weekend there was absolute joy borne from the most fertile of field for joy harvesting, THe heart of an 8 year old girl.

While away on vacation I left my golf clubs at home despite staying between two golf courses in a small PA town called Dubois. On an errand to fetch my wife some coffee my Jamie asked if the restaurant at the golf course had coffee. The child had a plan. Inside she asked sheepishly how old she needed to golf here since it was quiet and she saw the golf carts outside.

I guessed about 10 and reminded her I had not brougth my clubs. We inquired and the starter said you need only be 8 years old to golf, then he said that they had new clubs inside to rent at nearly no cost for a round. We left and I told her if she arose the folowing morning at 6:30 she could treat me to a round of golf.

SHe got home and told her momma that her morning was "Perfect" absolute unadulterated joy beamed from her face.

The next day as I watched her hit shot after shot with nothing but smiles and drive the cart in thirty to forty uard increments up the fairway or run the distance with a giggle it wa my day that was perfect and my joy just as perfect.

We scored one fox spotted, one deer within a dozen yard, a posse of daffy squirrels, a critter that was either cat or long tailed rabbit and a pair of hawks overhead. No one was seen or heard anywhere for the nine holes we played and our laughter will echo in those trees for decades to come.

I just love reading your posts Steve. That did sound absolutely joyous!

Steve, that's exactly what I was looking for! Thanks!

I think everyone comprehends happiness-- that commodity is cheap and easy. In my experience joy is much, much harder to find.

I can't describe the difference, but I think we all know what it is.

I am fairly new here, and am still awaiting evaluation for AS (appointment isn't until 10/1) per referral by my orthopedic doc. What I like about this forum is being able to communicate and exchange information w/others out there like me, maybe not exactly the same, but very similiar nonetheless. I somehow find that comforting. How's that saying go? ( *)< Birds of a feather flock together. <(# )I'm an organic waterfowl farmer.

And I'm also a 3rd generation Holocaust survivor. My maternal grandmother immigrated to the US w/her family prior to the occupation of Poland. I have the most beautiful hand-carved/painted wooden plate from Krakow, her home town, hanging on my kitchen wall where it serves as a reminder of my heritage. Grandma Rose spoke fluent Polish and used to call me her little "dupa", as did my grandfather. I thought that was so sweet until I found out what it really meant.

Deb Mc

Many of my christian friends feel very close to the Jews and to all that is happening in Israel. The Bible makes it clear that events in Israel are the key to Christ's second coming. We all read the news from Israel and try to keep up with as many events in the middle east.
Donna

Hi all. From the other side, I'm very happy and content to be an atheist and my life has been filled with having a wonderful family growing up, full of love and understanding. Most of my friends today feel the same as I do so I guess we stick together
For the religious ones here, enjoy your celebrations and all the best to you all.

Thank you for sharing this story Steve. Joy is where we find it.

happiness comes from external sources, joy comes from within?

Thank you for starting this post. I have enjoyed reading very much.
Steve, I really loved your story. Had me reminessing of my precious years when my children were growing up.
Cindy

Welcome, Deb!

My knowledge of my heritage is a little unusual. I was adopted at 18 months by an awesome Methodist German couple and raised in southeast Denver, which was a very Jewish neighborhood at the time. My first taste of alcohol was at a friend's Erev Shabbat at age 5; I sat through two bar mitzvahs before I was confirmed as a Methodist.

I went away from faith for a number of years, then had a "coronary event" in 1997 which necessitated my search for my genetic background. My bio father, direct from the auld sod of Ireland, died of alcoholism by falling asleep on railroad tracks in lower downtown Denver long before that neighborhood ceased to be Skid Row and became Yuppieville. They say being run over by a locomotive is bad for one's health. My bio mother turned out to be the world's most non observant Jew-- her fanatic ultra orthodox grandfather made her hate her heritage.

To make a long story a bit longer, the blood child of a Jewish mother is a Jew.

And I knew when I heard my birth last name that I had always known it. Things fit. Knowing made me happy.

My first Passover? That was joy.