2026: A Year of Family, Travel & JOY

I actually think this song has a very distinct feel, and it's one that matches you remarkably well, I'd describe it as contemporary inspirational folk-pop—somewhere between a hymn, a story song, and a movie soundtrack, Overall Mood Warm Hopeful Reflective Joyful without being over-the-top Nostalgic, but looking forward rather than backward The song should feel like someone flipping through a family scrapbook while sitting on a porch at sunset—not mourning what has passed, but smiling because it happened

Chorus
Joy...
Not because the road was smooth,
Not because the storms were few.
Joy...
Because we chose to see the light
Shining gently breaking through.
Every mile, every memory,
Every laugh and every tear—
Life was full in every season...
Joy became our song this year.

Verse 2
Florida hugs in winter sunshine,
New York snow with little hands in mine.
Then a cruise that never happened...
Brought a unique gift of time

Bahamas seas with Charli
Oregon laughter filled the spring.
Bryce and Zion, Charli's baptism,
Ten grandkids... what a glorious thing!

September sailing with family,
New England painted red and gold.
One more chapter filled with wonder,
One more story we'll always hold.

Sleepover weekends with Marjorie and Cece
Matching dresses... puppet shows...
Pizza parties... backyard games...
Tiny voices singing all the songs we know.

Thanksgiving Point adventures,
Little girls singing from the back seat.
Sophia snuggles...  Ollie's strut...
Marshie & Mav- all boy, but oh so sweet.

Books piled high beside the couch.
Toy room treasures in the loft.
"Coins!" for cleaning, building castles,
Kadence's song- The Lord's Love

Golf cart rides down Thrill Hill- Anna laughing.
Blocks and forts reaching the sky.
Drums and chimes and masterpieces...
Watching childhood flying by.

And when the laughter settled softly,
When little feet had all gone home,
Quiet evenings spent with Rick—
The sweetest place I've ever known.
No grand adventure, no great headline,
Just holding hands and sharing time...
Those ordinary moments
Become the ones that really shine.

Joy...
Not because each day was easy,
Not because there wasn't pain.
There were valleys. There were mountains.
There was sunshine. There was rain.

But when I tell the story now,
It's these moments that appear:
Little hands... and grateful hearts...
Family gathered far and near.

Every journey, every blessing,
Every gift that time revealed...
The life I prayed for all those years
Was quietly becoming real.

And through it all, beside me always,
Rick has been my truest home.
The greatest gift wasn't just the journey—
It was never walking it alone.

So here's to cruises yet to sail...
And roads still waiting to be found.
To temples, parks, and family visits...
To every precious, ordinary sound.

If someone asks me what I remember...
After all that's come and gone...

I'll simply smile...

And answer—

JOY.

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Verse 1 November waves and ocean breezes Hawaiian sunsets, island skies. Meagan and I found fresh beginnings, Building dreams with balanced lives. A new car - Aloha Ke Ala Hele"— Journey safely, come what may. Every mile seemed full of promise... Joy was writing what came next. Chorus Joy... Not because the road was smooth, Not because the storms were few. Joy... Because we chose to see the light Shining gently breaking through. Every mile, every memory, Every laugh and every tear— Life was full in every season... Joy became our song this year. Verse 2 Florida hugs in winter sunshine, New York snow with little hands in mine. Then a cruise that never happened... Brought a unique gift of time Bahamas seas with Charli Oregon laughter filled the spring. Bryce and Zion, Charli's baptism, Ten grandkids... what a glorious thing! September sailing with family, New England painted red and gold. One more chapter filled with wonder, One more story we'll always hold. Sleepover weekends with Marjorie and Cece Matching dresses... puppet shows... Pizza parties... backyard games... Tiny voices singing all the songs we know. Thanksgiving Point adventures, Little girls singing from the back seat. Sophia snuggles... Ollie's strut... Marshie & Mav- all boy, but oh so sweet. Books piled high beside the couch. Toy room treasures in the loft. "Coins!" for cleaning, building castles, Kadence's song- The Lord's Love Golf cart rides down Thrill Hill- Anna laughing. Blocks and forts reaching the sky. Drums and chimes and masterpieces... Watching childhood flying by. And when the laughter settled softly, When little feet had all gone home, Quiet evenings spent with Rick— The sweetest place I've ever known. No grand adventure, no great headline, Just holding hands and sharing time... Those ordinary moments Become the ones that really shine. Joy... Not because each day was easy, Not because there wasn't pain. There were valleys. There were mountains. There was sunshine. There was rain. But when I tell the story now, It's these moments that appear: Little hands... and grateful hearts... Family gathered far and near. Every journey, every blessing, Every gift that time revealed... The life I prayed for all those years Was quietly becoming real. And through it all, beside me always, Rick has been my truest home. The greatest gift wasn't just the journey— It was never walking it alone. So here's to cruises yet to sail... And roads still waiting to be found. To temples, parks, and family visits... To every precious, ordinary sound. If someone asks me what I remember... After all that's come and gone... I'll simply smile... And answer— JOY.

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