The most influential women I have ever known was my mom, Loretta Joy. She was strong, stubborn, loving and so caring. When she laughed JOY filled the room.
When I was born my mom wanted to carry on the JOY that is how I became Deniele Joy.
Being a woman of tradition and strong family ties, when I was pregnant with our first daughter it was a no brainier to use the middle name JOY. Our first daughter Ella Joy was born a few months after my mom passed away from Pancreatic cancer. We couldn't think of a better way to honor my mom, but to pass down the JOY middle name.
In 2009, shortly after our Ella Joy passed away at the age of only 17 months, I became pregnant with our third child. God had blessed us with another girl. My husband, Todd, and I struggled with giving our newest little one the same middle name as all the women in our family before her.
But all things changed when my Aunt Cathy and I were talking. She was teasing me that my mom used to call me weak. Aunt Cathy wanted me to know that by no means was I weak. She told me how proud my mom would be of me. It then hit me that we had to give our second little girl (Rebecca) the middle name JOY too!
We knew that when we began to tell our Rebecca about the strong-willed, loving and very courageous Grandma Joy and the spunky, sassy big sister Ella Joy, who are both looking down from above, she would know what amazing "Girlies" they were. We also knew that if we didn't give her the middle name Joy, she would wonder why not me? Was I not good enough to carry on the JOY?
So, Rebecca Joy it is to represent the three strong women in our family! And let me tell you, she is a spit-fire of a girl.
Here's to you Mom!!
Here's to you Mom!!
This is what had inspired me to create this canvas to...."Choose JOY"
I will be creating more "JOY" canvases throughout the year. They will all be 12x12, high-quality 2inch thick, hand painted and/or embellished.
Each canvass will be an expression of my trials and healing of my life. I hope you receive a little bit of "JOY" along my journey.
If you'd like to have some "JOY" in your home please contact me to purchase a canvas at lettersofjoy@yahoo.com for $55.00.
