And so we find ourselves in the midst of the tempestuous threes. The turbulent and tumultuous emotions exuding from our darling little 3 year old every minute of his waking hours are exhausting, frustrating, and sometimes a bit embarrassing to cope with. Though I know this is yet another phase, another developmental leap that he is making, it can almost…
Crystal Joy
I am a dreamer. I am an artist. I am an adventure-seeker. I am a storyteller. I am a wife. I am a mommy. I am a cancer survivor. My name is Crystal Joy Hall. Share in my journey at crystaljoyhall.com.
And so it is a New Year. For many it is a time of reflection: What do I wish for myself? For my family? For the world? What accomplishments made in the previous year can I be proud of? Did I reach my goals? Did I keep my resolutions? What about my life, has changed for the better? What do…
As the new year slowly approaches I can’t help but feel overwhelmed with emotion. I remember this time one year ago; the fragility I felt both emotionally and physically post breast cancer treatment. I was overwhelmed with feelings of gratitude [for being alive], love, vulnerability, and fear. My body was healing, but the mastectomy compromised some of my muscles and…
Tis the season to be lonely. Yes. It’s true. The Christmas season, albeit merry and bright for some, can also be isolating and lonely for others. I know that I have been feeling lonely, despite all the people that rally around me on a daily basis. I still feel very lonely. I’m not sure if it is the Christmas season that…
The two little words I’m Fine are often deceiving. Are you fine? Are you merely saying that because you feel that no one wants to hear your problems? No one wants to shoulder the burden of your sorrows? No one will understand? It’s possible. But I can tell you with certainty that there are many incredible souls out there that will…
The realities of marriage are complicated, frustrating, and trying. It’s riddled with endless responsibilities, compromises, and financial frustrations. You and your spouse fall into a dangerous rut of routines, absorbed with work, paying bills, household chores, parenting, etc. You forget to connect. You forget to appreciate each other. You are too tired to have deep and meaningful conversations. You sit…
The aromatic scents of cacao, cumin, toasted nuts, and caramel; the bold, rich, and distinct flavours that tickle the tongue; the soothing sensation of warmth throughout your body. There is something delectable, exotic, and comforting about coffee. And to the desperately exhausted, there is also a cruel necessity of the caffeine within. As a cancer survivor battling through fatigue;…
My mother raised my sister and me to be aware of our bodies, to respect our bodies, and to take care of our bodies. She watched her Mother, Father, Aunts, and Uncles fight the fight against cancer, and lose. Therefore, she was insistent that we eat healthy, be active, don’t smoke, and get regular check-ups at the doctor’s to ensure…
There is nothing extraordinary about today. I woke up. I showered. I woke my little one. I made his breakfast. I took him to nursery school. I ran errands… basically it’s been a day like any other day. But that is the beauty of today. It’s having this day – this mundane day – to live, to breath, to enjoy….
Parenting is tough. I honestly think it is the most difficult job I have ever signed up for. You don’t get to “clock in” or “clock out” and you don’t get any time off. Not ever. No rest. No day off. No vacation. You work round the clock 24/7. And you are at the demands and needs of your child….