Recent heavy rains brought flash flooding to my father’s mountain property. One foot bridge was completely washed away, and the other, larger bridge was destroyed. A wooden walkway was moved by the rising water. The air conditioning compressor is ruined. Water is under the house, and now the inside of the house smells musty and may have to be treated (again) for possible mold. All of the carpeting may have to be removed and new flooring installed. And I have the responsibility of taking care of all of it.

But the camellia bush is in bloom!

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I love the term “pocket of joy.” I first heard it on a Netflix reality show when one of the main stars, speaking of his difficult growing-up years, also spoke of the pockets of joy that sustained him through those difficult times.