{"id":3753,"date":"2026-07-14T17:07:26","date_gmt":"2026-07-14T17:07:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/silvybrand.com\/?p=3753"},"modified":"2026-07-14T17:07:26","modified_gmt":"2026-07-14T17:07:26","slug":"12-readers-share-their-joyful-moments","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/silvybrand.com\/?p=3753","title":{"rendered":"12 Readers Share Their Joyful Moments"},"content":{"rendered":"


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\"Cup<\/a><\/p>\n

Every now and then, we all need a boost. Life is beautiful \u2014 but it\u2019s also hard! Over the years, I\u2019ve learned that focusing on glimmers<\/a>, both large and small<\/a>, can help turn my mood around. So, to bring that uplifting energy to Cup of Jo, we asked readers to share their joyful moments, and they are all so good<\/em>\u2026<\/p>\n

\"Cup<\/a><\/p>\n

Both photos above:<\/em> \u201cOur family just got back from a whale-watching trip in Washington, where we saw a beautiful pod of orcas (with a baby!) in the San Juan Islands. I can\u2019t help but feel so much joy when I think about them.\u201d \u2014 Sindhoo, Littleton, Colorado<\/p>\n

\"Cup<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cLast year, my parents retired, moved across the state and built a house. They didn\u2019t want to ever worry about mowing the front yard \u2014 so, they seeded it with wildflowers. I recently visited them, and as I drove up to the house, I was met with the most brilliant carpet of sunny, yellow blooms.\u201d \u2014 Sarah, Unicoi, Tennessee<\/p>\n

\"Cup<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cIn June, my 12-year-old daughter, Plum, joined me on my biannual sisters trip. On the last day, we took a floating sauna out into the harbor of Oslo, where we swam, sunned, and soaked in the giddy joy of summer together. I can hardly describe the feeling of connection, friendship and fun that I felt, sharing this memorable afternoon with my baby girl, who is quickly becoming a young adult. What a gift!\u201d \u2014 Miranda, Richmond, Virginia<\/p>\n

\"Cup<\/a><\/p>\n

Katherine on the right, with her friend.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m a first-time candidate running for San Juan County Council, and recently participated in our community parade. It was a dream!\u201d \u2014 Katherine Ingman, Lopez Island, Washington<\/p>\n

\"Cup<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cI got lunch at a new-to-me Indian restaurant in town, and the chef made a smiley face on the rice. It made me feel like a kid again, excited to see a smile on my food.\u201d \u2014 Elizabeth, Burlington, Vermont<\/p>\n

\"Cup<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cI took my kids to Wisconsin Dells for vacation, and we did one of those old-timey dress-up photos. My four-year-old insisted on the pirate theme, and this family photo cracks me up.\u201d \u2014 Meredith, Des Moines, Iowa<\/p>\n

\"Cup<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cJust Boden and me, lying in the grass at our favorite place in Northern Michigan, with nowhere to be and nothing to do but simply be together. The world can ask so much of him as a non-verbal autistic child. But here, he was completely at peace. These quiet moments may seem small, but to me, they\u2019re everything.\u201d \u2014 Betsy, Charlotte, North Carolina<\/p>\n

\"Cup<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cMy mom and I went to Chicago for the last preview day of the Obama Presidential Center<\/a>. Having worked on President Obama\u2019s campaign, it was surreal to be there, reflect, and feel hopeful for our future. Highly recommend, but fair warning: there will be (mostly happy) tears!\u201d \u2014 Katherine, Bremerton, Washington<\/p>\n

\"Cup<\/a><\/p>\n

Maggie, second on the right, with her family.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cMy brother and I haven\u2019t seen each other in person in over ten years. He\u2019s been finishing a plastic-surgery residency and working hard to build a practice. I\u2019ve been rebuilding my life after a lengthy divorce and custody battle. This summer, I flew to the Dominican Republic, where we grew up, to visit him for three days. It was fast, expensive, and it took a whole day of travel to reach him \u2014 but it was so worth it. We took a road trip to the beach, hung out with cousins I haven\u2019t seen since high school, and I met my niece and nephew for the first time. The whole trip was joyful from the moment I landed to the moment I left, and I will forever keep that joy with me.\u201d \u2014 Maggie, Carmel, Indiana<\/p>\n

\"Cup<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cThis has been such a year. My mother is in palliative care, my partner of seven years left me, and being a human is a lot. But my sister just moved into a new flat, and one of our traditions is building her furniture together. Makes me feel useful, strong and joyous!\u201d \u2014 Sara, Marseilles, France<\/p>\n

\"Thao<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cJoy isn\u2019t solely found in the act of crossing a finish line. Sometimes joy blooms in the quiet seconds before, when everything else fades, and it\u2019s just you, holding the weight of your struggle, your late hours, your private and unheralded milestones. My forthcoming novel, The Seekers of Deer Creek<\/a>, is my most ambitious yet \u2014 a story strung on imagination and will. And, above all, a joy!\u201d \u2014 Thao Thai<\/a>, Columbus, Ohio<\/p>\n

\"Ashley<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cMy little sister had her first child in May. Getting to know him, while having a front-row view of my sister becoming an amazing mother, has given me more joy than anything else in recent memory. I\u2019m so incredibly proud of her and her partner. It\u2019s making me cry a little, just writing this!\u201d \u2014 Ashley Ford<\/a>, Indianapolis, Indiana <\/p>\n

Thank you for sharing these wonderful moments with us! Does anyone else have a recent moment of joy to share? We\u2019d love to hear it\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n

P.S. Readers share their hobbies<\/a> and what they love about their looks<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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3<\/span> COMMENTS<\/p>\n

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