Birthday Joy // A PHOTO ESSAY

It seems the heavy moments of life have recently outweighed the lighter ones, so James' 6th birthday and the party that preceded it were welcome releases.  However, these types of celebratory moments are more than just distractions...they are powerful reflections of "the joy set before" us. Experiencing these much-needed reminders of joy leaves us with a halo-effect that makes life's next blow next a little more sufferable.  An unconscious smile begins to form in the corners of our tired mouths at the very sight of the pure, unadulterated joy of a child at a birthday party--may we be reminded that the same joy lies within us, like a pile of unlit fireworks, just waiting to be lit.  Happy Birthday James, and thank you for being the spark that lights our joy.