Joy Hunting; Chapter One "Her Flock"

I am a mighty joy huntress.

What is a joy huntress, you ask?

To "Hunt joy" is a phrase I created a few months back, just prior to a potentially toxic situation my friend and I were headed into. I knew, beyond a shadow of doubt, this "potential toxicity" was based on my old beliefs. Once I shifted gears into the gratitude zone, all would be well, as usual and thankfully,  I have learned that within even the tiniest of normal circumstances, there is joy to be found.  I'm on the case like a bloodhound named Sherlock Holmes.

Exhibit A:

I had lived in Ohio for some time and began to frequent the store just around the corner.  It was convenient and the people that worked there always left me feeling like I had been not only been cared for, but about.  

I went to the store at Halloween time and discovered one of the rather demure, ever-cheerful, elderly woman clerks dressed as a green M& M. We talked and laughed to the point of tears. Her bravado and customer skills impressed me so much that I was moved to write a note of praise to the store's corporate headquarters.

For the record, it took me all of three minutes to write said letter of praise including extensive time spent with spell check.       

I returned to the store a few days later and there was the woman again - she was wearing her normal uniform and clothing (not that I'd ever see her the same again, I might add),  except for she had pinned a note underneath her name tag simply stating "Thank you to the lady that sent the email."

I acted as if it wasn't me  and asked her for the story. To hear her recant the joy over the situation was incredibly precious to me.    She was glowing.  I was near to tears, I was so excited that it had brought her that much loveliness.   I did manage express that it was obvious to me why someone would take the time to 'turn her in', with as well as she took care of us, her customers.

I felt like she needed to know we had become her flock.

I often wonder how many times on those days that she wore that message under her name tag, that she shared the story.  I still attempt to imagine how delightful that must have felt - to anyone that may have asked and most importantly, to her.

There is something quietly magical in the opportunity we all share as members of the human race to  joy hunt.  It's restorative in ways we forget unless we live it.

Did you hear that?  That joy was the sound of the Splash of a Mermaid.