Dear Future Joy,
Once upon a time, probably a good handful of years ago, you took yourself on vacation.
This was at a time before you had kids or a husband. When you would treat yourself to the expensive shampoo and conditioner. When you were convinced that only super rich people get to own houses. When you couldn’t exactly afford to take yourself away on a fancy vacation… but you did anyway.
Future Joy… you should know that the Joy of 2009 is totally cheering you on. She wants you to have the happy husband, and the crazy kids and the mortgage and the life that makes you want to do backflips and rejoice. But with all that… I’m sure some things will just drive you batty. You might need to remember this time… this time that happening to me right now.
See… it’s quiet here. There are little napkins with embroidered animals on them.
The drapes are gorgeous.. and you never even notice drapes.
Drawers have little keys.
Matchbooks have little painted typewriters on them.
You’re working on your book proposal. Your freakin’ book proposal!!! Yea… you’re pretty excited.
Working in between making fires…
and taking baths.
There’s art in the garden. Art. In the garden!
Hot Dang! You’re living the good life and it feels dreamy. This is the sort of thing you’re going to need to draw upon when you’re getting a root canal, or standing in line at the DMV, or trying to wrangle toddlers into car seats. Remember that once upon a time you took yourself on a big, fancy vacation, and you felt so blessed and enjoyed every single moment of it. Remember.
Love you. Mean it.
Present Joy
Meg
Wow, good luck with your book proposal!
Looks like 2010 is kickin’ off in a spectacular way.
Happy New Year.
Laurel
Hi Joy, I can’t wait til your book comes out–I will definitely buy it! You go girl!
Love, someone who has written many letters to her future self :)
Anna
I love the idea of this post….I like the idea of talking to my past and future Anna..because she IS my best cheerleader.
toni
GORGEOUS PLACE! And yes, that bathtub is divine!
jennifer
am whimpering at the mere sight of that bathtub. would you mind sharing the name of where you are? it sounds like such a lovely treat.
Soupdiva
Happy New Year Joy! I love that you wrote that note to yourself, your wisdom and insight is correct. You WILL need these memories to remind you of how simple and calm life used to be, treasure it, then move back into the chaos of a husband and kids all looking to you to make their worlds make sense and be perfect and you will realize how much sweeter the future Joy has it because the past Joy did take time to understand her life and enjoy the present. You give good advice. We all should take time to cherish our present, and leave a note for our future selves to remind us just where we were 5 or 10 years back and that poopy diapers, runny noses, neverending piles of laundry, all those things mean you have kids that you love without measure, a family. They grow fast. I did take time to soak in the past and leave notes for myself too. I keep them in a book. I remember when I was a new mom holding this tiny little person and hoping I was ready for the journey of parenthood. Funny, she went to college this fall. I cry still, because I think that they grow up too fast. So my message to future Joy is that when you are a mom someday. Don’t ever blink. YOu might miss something. Treasure each milestone. DOn’t look constantly forward to the “oh I can’t wait until they walk” and then look forward to the day they start preschool or kindergarten. Stay as you are now. Stay in the present and enjoy the hell out of it.
Tyhitia
Hi Joy,
I accidentally stumbled upon your blog and I’m glad I did. I’m going to bookmark it and come back often.
Happy New Year and your vacation sounds awesome! :-D
~Tyhitia
rachel h.
wow, darling girl! so lovely! i am so glad for you to have days in that beautiful place. scrumptious.
Megan Gordon
Wheeee! A book proposal?! Exciting…love the letter. Inspired me to do something simlilar…Happy NYE!
Mom
Joy, What a beautiful spot you found up there in San Luis Obispo. Good for you getting away while you have the chance. Dad and I are a bit envious- ok,I am. Health and prosperity in 2010 for you. Love ya!!
Dianne
Hello Joy~
I hope this note finds you nice and pruny from your long soak in the tub.. perhaps you are in the tub as I write.
I just have to say that i finally made your banana pudding ice cream and it is amazing! I am going to serve it tomorrow on top of Belgian waffles – that i will make with my new waffle maker ;-)….. wait! stop the press! My friend just suggested serving it on hot brownies. I think I’ll make those- RIGHT NOW. I can have it with breakfast too, if there is any left- with fresh bananas and whipped cream and a sprinkling of crushed, salty macadamia nuts (cept i’m fresh out of those.. truth be told, i don’t ever have those on hand. Tho, it would be worth it to stock up now)
Happy New Year Joy! Thank you for all your wonderful blogging- looking forward to much more and of course, your book!
kristen
I love your blog.. Happy New Year
Leigh Soucy
!!! Book proposal?!
Here’s to THAT this new year! Yowie-zowie!
Carolyn
Haha, I know exactly how you feel. Sometimes I wonder how I’ll ever give up the time and freedom that I have now, but I’m sure it’ll be worth it. And hopefully we’ll all still have some art in the garden. : )
Michelle
Happy 2010! What a brilliant idea – the vacation and laying it to film (and cyberspace) for you to remember. Thank you for sharing it with us. You are right – it will be those moments that you can feel, smell, taste and close your eyes and see that will help you in those crazy, challenging moments to come. Enjoy!!! (I am yelling “Boys, please stop jumping” as I write this – ah, to be where you are at this moment!)