I think I met a hobbit the other day. He bounded onto the playground with his dad who was trying—but failing—to keep up. His round little face, halo of curly hair, and cherubic smile clued me in to his real identity. He was one of Tolkien’s little people, who love food and simple pleasures, are carefree and irrepressible yet incredibly resilient and strong.
As the little tyke played with my grandson, Matthew, his dad told me Gideon had been born with four holes in his heart. Because of his precarious health and the risk of covid, he was isolated the first eighteen months of his life.
“He’s so happy to get out among people now,” Gideon’s dad said as we watched him repeatedly try to hug Matthew, who wasn’t too wild about the constant contact, “but really, he’s always been happy.”
Frequent surgeries required hospital stays and unpleasant procedures, but nothing dampened Gideon’s jubilance. “The nurses called him ‘aggressively happy,’” his dad said.
Aggressively happy. I love that. Happiness is not dependent on our circumstances but on something deep inside. Something the Bible calls “joy.”
Caregiving can be long and hard. It wears on us physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. But let’s face it. When we dwell on the negative, it only pulls us deeper into the pit. I know because I’ve been there.
When we look instead for joy in the journey, we find evidence of God’s goodness, reasons to be cheerful in spite of our many duties and ensuing fatigue.
So be aggressively happy, deliberately delighted. It will transform your day and your caregiving season.
And what was Gideon’s nickname? Giddy. I love that, too. Let’s all add a little “giddy” to our day!
Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.
Philippians 4:4 KJV
Tracy Crump dispenses hope in her award-winning book, Health, Healing, and Wholeness: Devotions of Hope in the Midst of Illness (CrossLink Publishing, 2021). A former intensive care nurse, she cared for her parents and her mother-in-law and understands both the burdens and joys of caregiving. Her devotions have been featured in Guideposts books, The Upper Room, and many other publications, and she has contributed 22 stories to Chicken Soup for the Soul® books. She also conducts writing workshops, freelance edits, and proofreads for Farmers’ Almanac. But her most important job is Grandma to five completely unspoiled grandchildren.
I love this.
Sharing! I love this!
Thanks, JJ! It was a fun post to write!
Wonderful story! We have our own Gideon with the same nickname And “aggressively happy” would have to be a truly God honoring disposition.
So true, Lettie. Something to aspire to, huh?
I loved this, Tracy! Reminds me to always keep my eyes open for the little joys every day. Thanks for sharing this.
Thank you, Karen! I hope you have an “aggressively happy” day!
I’m partial to hobbits because I taught Tolkien to my high school sophomores. You have inspired me to be giddy today!
LOL! So glad, Joyce! Blessings on your “giddy” day!
I love this story, Tracy, and pray I never forget Gideon’s reminder to remain aggressively happy.
Thank you, Diana! Some days it’s easier than others, but I pray you have many “giddy” days!