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Joy Nicholas's avatar

Love this!! “Taking notice of these pieces of joy has been my life jacket during a long and hard season. It’s a way to keep my head buoyed above the waves.” I relate so much!! We are in (dare I say it?) an easier season following a few years of hard. But I did the same, gathered the joy crumbs, even then. And now when it feels so much easier to find joy, I wonder if it hasn’t been because of all the careful watch for the glimpses of light for so long.

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Sarah Bahiraei's avatar

Love hearing "from the other side", Joy! That gives me strength to keep going, knowing that this season isn't being wasted <3

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Aly Prades's avatar

Beautiful, as always. One of my joy crumbs this week was at my daughter’s school drop off. She hugged me goodbye at the gate and, spotting her friend, immediately grabbed her hand and they skipped into school together. She had some trouble making friends at the beginning of the year, so this spontaneous display of friendship really stopped me in my tracks. 🥰🥺

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Sarah Bahiraei's avatar

Oh, I love that, Aly. I can imagine seeing that was so sweet for your momma heart!

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Kelly's avatar

The autumn leaves where I live are putting on quite a show this year! My favorite thus far has been the row of trees right outside our apartment window that are bright yellow and make the whole apartment glow!

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Sarah Bahiraei's avatar

Yessss. The leaves are just starting to turn where we are. I love the image of the glowing yellow trees outside your window. Magical!

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Ginny McConnell's avatar

As always your writing reminds me to take the time to pay attention to the details and small joys in our life!! My latest joy crumb was a big hug from our 13 year old granddaughter!

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Sarah Bahiraei's avatar

I'd say that's a BIG joy crumb, Ginny! So special!

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Shannon Williams's avatar

For the record, I LOVE seeing your "joy crumbs" every week. They feel like a deep, long exhale. Even if they're not the entire story. ❤️ A joy crumb from my week was a rainbow that appeared last night right when we were eating dinner, and it ended right in our own backyard! Though the lack of a pot of gold was a little disappointing. :)

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Sarah Bahiraei's avatar

Thank you, Shannon <3 Ok, I love that the rainbow ended right in your backyard! No pot of gold, but you guys must be God's chosen people or something!

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Aimee Guest's avatar

Love the quote from the picture book and capturing these moments under the title "joy crumbs". That Mary Oliver poem just never gets old, I guess because we always need the reminder.

Here's my crumb: Our college-aged son was home last Sunday and as we sat in church together, he turned to me every ten minutes or so and said, "I love you."

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Sarah Bahiraei's avatar

Such a sweet moment between you and your son, Aimee. I know my mom feels the happiest when all three of us kids are lined up next to her at church. <3

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Gina's avatar

This is so beautiful. I laughed at the wondering whether to let your daughter have her fun with the mud or intervene - I feel like that dilemma is a large proportion of my experience of parenting.

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Sarah Bahiraei's avatar

haha yes they never talk about these situations in the parenting books! ;)

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Krista Drechsel's avatar

Yes. Here's to digging and digging for those joy crumbs. And you know what, I look forward to seeing your "joy crumbs" post every single week. Keep it coming, friend. You're inspiring.

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Sarah Bahiraei's avatar

Thank you, Krista! You're so sweet <3

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Rebecca Marie's avatar

Love this. My joy crumb has been watching my boys (5 and 3) climb our mulberry tree that is finally strong enough to climb and fill themselves on mulberries. Their faces, hands, and shirts are completely stained, but I can't bring myself to care. I love seeing them be kids and explore the world.

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Sarah Bahiraei's avatar

Hope you got pics, Rebecca! We have mulberry trees here in Turkey too, and have so much fun picking them in the spring and summer.

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Yvonne M's avatar

Always encouraged by you Sarah! One of my joy crumbs this week was watching and hearing my little one express kindness towards a friend who was sad. She exhibited compassion to another child ever so tenderly.

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Sarah Bahiraei's avatar

So sweet, Yvonne! I love catching little moments like that with mine too.

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Ruth Gyllenhammer's avatar

Joy crumbs! I love this so much. Currently: Amber Lewis’ newest interior design book, coffee walk+talks with a friend and a recent overnight getaway with my college roommate

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Sarah Bahiraei's avatar

Love your joy crumbs, Ruth! Coffee walk and talks? Sounds so perfect <3

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