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to direct her, she discovered the power of journaling for therapy before it was ever a popular self-help tool. At 23, Joy married and had a child. Although the marriage ended five years later, she had her daughter Lindsay, who is named after her mother, Linda. “When it came time for her to start school, I needed a job with the same hours and off days as my daughter, so I went to the Board of Education and filled out an application.” The only available job at that time was for a lunchroom cook. Joy took the position and gave it her all, just like her mama had taught her to do. After a couple of years in the lunchroom, a position as a para-pro in the elementary school working with children with special needs became available. Joy was hired for the job and fell in love with each and every child. When it came time for the local Special Olympics event, she was on the field running the races alongside her students and cheering them on. She continued to work in that position for 15 years. Last November made two years since she took a position as a teacher’s aide in the P.E. department. Every day she touches the lives of almost five hundred kids in our community. Not long after Lindsay was born, Joy began to have health issues that were exacerbated by the extra weight she’d gained during pregnancy. “I didn’t realize I had asthma at the time,” said Joy. “I’d get up at night and couldn’t catch my breath because I’d be coughing so badly.” In addition to her physical health, she continued to cycle through dark periods of bitterness and anger. Eventually, journaling alone was not enough to keep the darkness away. She knew she had to do something more. In desperation, Joy decided to begin walking every day when she got home from work. “And I cut out fried chicken and sweet tea.” She gave me a smile. “I loved fried chicken and sweet tea.” Joy with her daughter Lindsay “When you rise in the morning, give thanks for the light, for your life, for your strength. Give thanks for your food and for the joy of living. If you see no reason to give thanks, the fault lies in yourself.” - Tecumseh 96 Toombs County Magazine


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