Welcome my Sparks of Joy post for 2025. This week’s Sparks of Joy #21 post is about the health benefits of incorporating gratitude and joyfulness in our life.
This week’s Sparks of Joy #21
Health Benefits of Gratitude and Joyfulness
Gratitude enhances health, brings happiness — and may even lengthen lives – Harvard Health
Family history
As I’ve mentioned my Mum died in 1986 at 63 and I was 29. I’ve always regretted not asking more questions about her life and so I was thrilled to receive an email from My Heritage sharing in newspaper article from June 11, 1929. Mum would have been almost 7 years old at the time. The Newspaper article was about A Fancy costume parade at Albion State Primary School and Mum was mentioned as the ‘fairy’ who presented a floral bouquet of roses and carnations to the judge.
This is the excerpt……
| judge, seemed appreciative of the unique distinction of receiving a bouquet of roses and carnations from a fairy In the person of little Daphne Elmer The grand march was supervised by Miss M. Sherlock, head mistress of the Albion Street Infants’ School; Miss N. McAuliffe, of the… |
| Occupation: Fairy at the annual juvenile fancy dress dance |
| Newspaper: The Labor Daily |
| Publication: June 11 1929 – Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Article summary: Paddington Town Hall hosted the annual juvenile fancy dress dance organized by the Alblon Street School Parents and Citizens’ Association. |
Gardens blooming
After the heavy rains the garden is blooming!
Gorgeous weather for a run by the river
Entering our first half marathon for the year
I’m excited that I have entered the Brisbane Half Marathon and will be running with my daughter and running friend.
Finding an alternative pasta for Mike to enjoy
A lovely comment from a Podcast guest
I have just listened to our interview and I must thank you for doing such a brilliant job of presenting and editing our chat.
I couldn’t be more thrilled.
Thanks again for giving me the opportunity to get my story across and also for the extra push you have given my book in the blog post.
Jo Peck, Author, Suddenly Single at Sixty
What has brought you Joy this week and made your smile?
With love
I’m linking up to #WednesdayWords&Whimsy hosted by Min from Write of the Middle. Pop over and visit Min and say hello.
16 Comments
Lovely post about your mum and well done on the half! Good for you to have a goal again! (a running one, at least) #WWWhimsy
Hi Lydia, it was a lovely surprise to be sent the article about Mum. I’m excited for the Half Marathon as I will be running with my daughter and friend. We have another in mind as well for July so I’m happy with that. x
Hi Sue, how nice to get that article and learn about your Mum as a little girl being a fairy presenting flowers to the judge. A little something you didn’t know about her before. I know how every little snippet you can know about your parents is so special. Your garden by the way is growing well and looking healthy and gorgeous and those lovely comments by your podcast guest as very well deserved. You are always championing, encouraging and helping others! Have a great week and thank you for linking up again with #WWWhimsy ! xo
You are so lovely, Min and thank you for your comments. It is nice to receive some feedback. Too often people can just feedback negative without occasionally giving a positive comment. We have been here almost 2.5 years which has flown. x
How fun to find that newspaper clip! Have you tried the pasta yet? I tried one like that and it was not nice at all – cooked to a mush (you have to time it exactly) and did not resemble pasta.
Hi Barbara, yes it was such a lovely surprise because I don’t know much about Mum especially as a child. The fettucine wasn’t too bad. Obviously it is never going to be as good as the real thing, but Mike has to watch his carbs and if he can substitute this version and then have the real thing occasionally he will be happy. I only dropped it into boiling water for about 2 minutes. You certainly have to keep your eye on it. x
I loved reading your words about joy and gratitude. I found the newspaper article about your dear Mum so very special too, Sue.
Denyse x
The newspaper article is something I will treasure as it gives me an insight into Mum as a child. It was a lovely surprise, Denyse. xx
Hi Sue, that must have been so lovely receiving an email about your mother, how sweet! Congrats on entering the half marathon with Rachel, you are such an inspiration! The interview with Jo peck was great and I have her book on hold at the library. It’s lovely when you hear back from your guests like that isn’t it? Another fab post with lots of sparks of joy x
Deb #Teamwwwhimsy
It was a lovely surprise, Deb and another gem I can add to what I know about my Mum. I feel with the Half we now have something to work towards with our running. Glad you enjoyed Jo’s interview and I appreciated her feedback.x
I love that you received this newspaper article Sue. As a genealogist this really does make me smile. I listened to the interview with Jo Peck. Her story is so similar to mine, but different in some ways. I will definitely try to get hold of her book.
I thought of you Jen when I was writing about the newspaper article as I know you are a genealogist and would appreciate something like this. x
I was young when my dad died, and now I realize there were so many conversations we should have had. I used to tell my students to ask their parents questions to get to know their lives. I hope some of them did it. I think that newspaper clipping about your mom (love her name) is so amazing. Technology can be a pain in the rear, but, sometimes, it can be quite wondrous!
My spark of joy was visiting the art museum with Mike. He used his cane and struggled a bit but is determined to walk. So, that may actually be two sparks!
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
Oh so good that you and Mike went to the Museum and he is trying to overcome his hip surgery. Two sparks for sure! x
What a wonderful newspaper article to receive, Sue. The sparks of joy in that alone are huge! ♡♡♡
Yes, Donna it was a lovely surprise and provided more insight into my Mum x