Pure Joy . . . & Raspberries!

Since yesterday I wrote about the National Day of Joy, today I'm happy to share with you about a time when there was much joy at this grandma's house. Years ago, decades ago, when we moved into the house we live in, my sister (who lived down the street and around the corner at the time) gave me several raspberry bushes to plant in our new backyard. Through the years these bushes produced many, many berries which were enjoyed by my children . . . and then my grandchildren.

Eight years ago when my middle grandson was four, he apparently did not remember we had raspberry bushes in our backyard. One night his parents had a bonfire in our yard . . . we live on a acre in the country and have lots of room for bonfires. At the time they lived in the city and did not have space for a bonfire, so our yard was the location of choice for bonfires. At some point, someone either noticed the berries in the back or thought to check to see if they were ready and much to my grandson's delight, they were!

He came bounding inside asking for a bowl to put the berries in and then ran right back out to set about the serious - and tasty - business of picking berries! After he finished picking - and eating berries, he came back inside to show me his "bounty". 

If you ever wondered what, "pure joy" looks like, I know! It was the look on his four-year-old's face at having been able to pick, eat, and take home a tub of fresh raspberries! His face shone with delight! Pure joy! (And "evidence" of berry eating as well!!!)

When the boys are at our house, at each mealtime, everyone at the table gets to share something for which they are thankful . . . not surprisingly my middle grandson said he was thankful for raspberries and for the bushes in his grandparent's backyard!

And so am I!