Early yesterday morning I was mentally stringing words like popcorn and cranberries, but they were stale and wouldn’t stay on the thread. The red timer on my somewhat annual Thanksgiving post just wouldn’t pop. I put it aside and starting doing (Work)work.

A couple hours later I received an email that read, “(Work)Joyce’s mom just passed away.” In yesterday’s vapor-post, I had intended to use an uplifting line from a song called “A World of Hurt,” unknowing that’s where my friend would be. It’s a place many of my generation are now experiencing with their parents. On Saturday, (Play)Joyce learned her boss’s mom had also passed away.

A little over 4 years ago, my new boss greeted me in her office saying, “Hi, I’m Joyce.” I remember doing a bit of a mental eye-roll and thinking, “Of course you are.” In the years since, we’ve done some great work and we’ve laughed a lot. I first met her mom at a 4th of July party at the parents’ home in Rockport. It didn’t take long to figure out (Work)Joyce’s humor and infectious laugh was heavily influenced by the maternal X chromosome.

So my Thanksgiving post was going to be about what I’m thankful for. How about Joyce squared? “J2,” to borrow a nickname from another J-pair. They are both smart, strong, accomplished, independent and fun. My Joyce’s live life fully and in spite of incredibly busy schedules, they always make time to help others through their civic and charitable work.

I guess the lyric fits after all…

“It ain’t too late to take a deep breath and throw yourself into it with everything you’ve got.
It’s great to be alive.”

– World of Hurt by the Drive By Truckers

Happy Thanksgiving.