In Search of the Vanishing Joy

As children we find joy in so many different places Discovering life in a mother's smile and puppy dog's faces As we move into middle childhood the joys know no end School being out for the summer, spending time with a friend As a teen our joy's take on a brand new life First love blossoms and we find joy in rolling the dice As we mature and begin the transition to making our own way Joy can be found in TGIF and our very first payday In middle life we seek joy from a mate of our choice Watching our children grow into adults and finding their voice As old age approaches we find joy more difficult to hang on to We still get together with old friends now and then, but not like we used to Children and Grandchildren are super busy and only call now and then We look for joy in new places through hobbies or in words from our pen We write about life and other things, hoping our opinion can lead to change But joy soon fades as our words seem to be lost and our efforts burst into flames So as the year’s role by and joy becomes ever more elusive and difficult to find We start each day with new hope, never regretting the life left behind Our search for joy is now focused on being the very best we can be Finding joy in helping others, our life's partner, be it he or be it she.