In The News"An Ode to Joy"Monday, December 28th, 2009 We asked a variety of area residents - including business leaders, entrepreneurs, caregivers and even some people starting their lives over - a simple but poignant question: "What brings you joy?" Here are their equally poignant responses: What brings me joy? A sunny, warm day hiking and splashing at Tucquan Glen with my 3-year-old son, our two rescued dogs and good friends, followed by ice cream at Pine View Dairy. Family, friends and nature on a beautiful day never fail to remind me that the world is an amazing and wonderful place, and I have a wonderful spot in it. My work also brings me joy. For example, an older couple adopted one of my foster dogs, and a few weeks after the adoption the wife called to say that her husband had been suffering from depression due to a long-term illness, and recently her husband said the dog had become the sunlight in his difficult time. Seeing dogs and cats come into the shelter in terrible condition and leave healthy with families who feel truly blessed by their new friend brings me joy every day. Megan Gallagher, vice president of development and outreach at the Humane League of Lancaster County It brings me joy seeing how we're able to help individuals overcome their fears in getting involved in an exercise program and serve as a resource for them to reach their goals. You can see it. It's almost a palpable change. You can see the hesitation and people being uncomfortable with a new setting like this, but once they start to get in, even just making it to the Y once or twice a week, how they start to make friends and get comfortable. It's really rewarding. This is my passion, not just my livelihood. Jeffrey S. Kenderdine, Lancaster Family YMCA chief executive director I have Spina Bifida, am 28, live at home, and use a wheelchair and have a springer spaniel named Bailey. What brings me joy is basically my family, my friends, my church, Manor Brethren in Christ Church. My family bought a cabin in the mountains, and my grandmother comes up and we play Sorry. I love it. I do win often! Missy Wenzel, consumer of United Disabilities Services of Lancaster County What brings me joy is dancing with my husband of 25 years (Jerry Geist), our business ... my stepdaughter, son-in-law and grandson moving to the area from Pittsburgh, our community charity work and especially seeing a student against all odds graduate, pass their licensure exams and go to work. We just recently had a student who had many challenges going to school, mostly difficult family issues. She juggled those, work and school. She ended up on attendance probation. Turned that around and when it came time for her to graduate it looked like nobody from her family was coming. So all of the students and staff tried to support her, and then at the last minute her father walked in the door. Not a dry eye in the house, and it was certainly joyful. Debbie Dunn, director of the Lancaster School of Cosmetology I was a battered and homeless woman and local resources ... are helping me to get my life back. I just celebrated my first Thanksgiving in my (new) apartment with my 14-year-old son and am soon hoping to start a new job. We got a gift basket with a turkey, and I took the wishbone and hung it from my chandelier. I look at it to remind me of where I was and where I'm going. That's my Oscar, my trophy. I have so much to be thankful for, so much to be happy about. I have purpose. God watches over me. Felicita Perez, former Domestic Violence Services of Lancaster County and TLC client and current Tabor Community Services client Home and family; friends; church; books; music; trees; sunsets; chocolate!! Sally Wiker, Retired teacher In today's unsettled and stressful economic times, it gives me great joy to proclaim and celebrate the birth of Jesus, the true Prince of Peace. Two thousand years ago, God sent the answer to man's present needs brought about by our complicated modern society. It gives me great joy to know that Jesus Christ is empathetic to our every situation, a wonderful counselor, a constant listener and a healer of broken hearts. I have great joy in personally knowing the Prince of Peace, realizing He is able to carry and calm the anxiety and stress we each face. Peter W. Teague, president of Lancaster Bible College and Graduate School Before, my thinking was only focused on one thing — my addiction. I was living minute to minute. There wasn't anything to live for. The thing that brings me the most joy is the ability to think straight. Also the process of learning to build more healthy relationships that have a purpose in life. Anita Barnes, a resident of the Lydia Center, a division of Water Street Ministries, and a recovery program for women What brings me joy is the realization that although we cannot always control what happens to us, we can learn to mindfully respond, rather than react. Even though we may have experienced great trauma or pain, we can activate our "inner healer" through forms of meditation, prayer, physical movement and structured breathing. When we engage in these practices, over time we discover we have the power to "shift" from a state of stress and helplessness to one of power and grace. To know we have the power to make this shift in consciousness is to become more fully alive. And there is nothing more joyful or precious than to be fully alive in the world in which we live at this time of great global change. Linda Crockett, life coach, Samaritan Counseling Center What brings me joy? Seeing God's favor and blessing me with a partner, Seraida, on a new business venture (Madre Praise Cafe) who has the same vision (of) reaching out to the community in spirit. My job at CSG, knowing that I can make a difference along with my staff and co-workers. The rewards are great. My grandbaby Lala, who is tooo cute. Seeing her grow before my eyes brings me joy. Smiling at someone you don't even know in passing and they smile back. My church family at the Worship Center who has helped me grow in ways I could have never imagined, especially my HUGS (Helping Us Grow Spiritually) group. I could go on and on. I am truly blessed. The Joy of the Lord is my strength. Tina Vulto, residential supervisor, Manor House Apartments, Community Services Group, serving people with disabilities and mental health issues I feel real joy when I get to the end of the day and know I have done all I could to make it the best day possible - whether it was working hard to diagnose a patient's condition and ease their pain, teaching my teen to drive with patience, taking time to really listen to and pray with a patient, making a great meal to encourage my family, taking my parents to their appointments, or worshipping my heart out at church - I sense joy when I know I have given of myself to spread a bit of God's light to my little world. Lavonne Johnston, physicians assistant at the Lancaster Gastroenterology Inc. Center for Women's' Digestive Health I feel joy in so many places, in so many ways, it is hard to focus in on one dimension ... the sleepy smile my daughter gives me when I wake her in the morning the cheery hello I receive when I come into work the twinkle in the eye of the children I see at Clare House, children who have been through much trial and tribulation but are still children, happy and carefree. I also feel joy when I look out my window and see a bird perched in a tree or a squirrel climbing on a branch and certainly, I feel joy when I am simply sitting in a comfy chair, silent and at peace. Jennifer Powell, executive director of Clare House |
