A wise friend in their leadership reminded me that true joy is heavy, part of the truth of grief. Especially in the US, we live in a system that tries to sell joy - a plastic, lightweight, incomplete, unsubstantial product.
But I know a joy that's complete - joy that has been challenged and perseveres, joy that keeps going. Joy that is our nature, joy that *is* nature.
This tree also reminds me, every season.