An Update on the Joy of the Joy’s

Back in May 2019 I wrote:

“I’m basking in the “joy” of the Joy’s this morning.  Mr. and Mrs. Liam and Katherine Maria Joy of England, FaceTimed with us yesterday to share that joy with us. They are expecting their first child in November.  This anticipated joy of the Joy’s will be our third great grandchild. 

Katherine Maria (aka Katie, and for me, her Grandad, aka “Katydid”) is the daughter of our beloved Rachel.  Katie is our oldest granddaughter.  We have only two, Katie and Eleni, and both, as the song goes, “light up our life.”  Matthew, Austin, Nick and Ethan, our grandsons, light up our life, too.   Our first two great granddaughters, Addison and Delaney, daughters of Rachel’s Matthew and his wife, Emily, only add to the brilliance of that light, as will the joy of the Joy’s.” 

Yesterday, our Katie called from across the pond to tell us Baby Joy has arrived—a little girl—our third great granddaughter!  Little Baby Joy of the Joy’s gives us great joy!  

We identify with William Blake’s poem of years ago:  “Infant Joy:”

I have no name [yet]

I am but two days old.—

What shall I call thee?

I happy am

Joy is my name,—

Sweet joy befall thee!

Pretty joy!

Sweet joy but two days old,

Sweet joy I call thee;

Thou dost smile.

I sing the while

Sweet joy befall thee.