I love words--always have.  I can't remember when I couldn't read.  My mom says I would not go to sleep without my little Golden Books stacked in the crib with me.  I notice words!  Lately a word I've noticed everywhere is joy, a simple small three letter word.  I first noticed this word a little over a week ago.  It was in a church, hanging in the recessed area of the auditorium where the casket of my dear friend's husband stood while we waited for his funeral.  You couldn't help but notice it, several feet high with red letters, and my first thought was how ironic.  On a day that was anything but filled with joy it was hanging there for the hundreds of people gathered  in that church to see. As I sat quietly and absorbed the scene it became oddly appropriate.  It fit the season, it fit my friend's life and gave hope!
In the dictionary joy means a state of happiness or a cause of delight.  Today at church I heard the word joy used many times in the songs and the sermon about the meaning of Christmas. Thinking about the word joy reminds me of a popular song from my teenage years.  It was called Joy to the World (not the Christmas carol) by Three Dog Night.  It went like this:

Jeremiah was a bullfrog
Was a good friend of mine
I never understood a single word he said
But I helped him a-drink his wine
And he always had some mighty fine wine
Singin'...


Joy to the world
All the boys and girls now
Joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea
Joy to you and me 

To be such a tiny word it can mean so many things. . . eating great food can bring you joy, spending time with friends and family, the Christmas season is associated with bringing people joy. I felt it just last week when I worked the last day of my career, and  the little guy below brings me great joy!  So give it some thought what gives you joy? I hope your list is long.