We find ourselves on the final day of the month of April. I am not going to lie, this was a difficult month, and one that we are all glad to say good-bye to. As we close off this month, the realization that a new adventure is just around the corner has us all growing giddy with anticipation, hope, and…
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.
I am not going to lie. This has been a challenging year, and we’re only into the month of April. There have been many stressors beyond mine or my family’s control that have created moments, days, even weeks of anxiety and worry, from emotional to financial burdens. It has become increasingly difficult to remain calm, present, and happy. Most days,…
Have I been sleepwalking? Perhaps. Or, perhaps, in these past 20 years I have undergone a series of metamorphoses – evolving in character, appearance, and even circumstance. Perhaps the journeys I have embarked upon – some willingly and some circumstantial – have led me to this moment in time.
I have been blogging for almost 8 years, sharing intimate thoughts and experiences about myself, my healing journey [post-cancer], and the layered emotions experienced when parenting. My posts are carefully written to ensure that I maintain respect for myself, my family, my child, and my audience; and always with the perspective of how very grateful I am to be here,…
It is a new year. One that is filled with boundless opportunities and pending hopes, dreams, and ambitions. Yet I have not had time to sit and reflect upon this new year, or the year that has passed us by. I have not had a quiet moment to think about myself. What do I hope for this year? What personal…
And just like that, it’s over. Christmas of 2023 has come and gone. And it saddens me. I cannot help but wonder Was this the last magical Christmas? Will our amazing LM still delight at the presence of Santa Claus or is this the final year of believing? Our child is 10 years old. A full decade. He is now…
The age of nine was significant (you can read more about it in my post The Age of Nine). We witnessed remarkable growth, several setbacks, and the beginnings of independence in our amazing LM. He became more aware of the world, specifically world problems. He carried a grave concern for children displaced from war, and he worried about the state…
October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. It is a time when we collectively raise awareness for breast cancer prevention, treatment, and research. In previous years, I would often use this time to write a post reflecting on my own experience with breast cancer in hopes to raise awareness among a younger audience of women. Why? I was 40 years old…
There is a precious moment of parenting that I am all to aware will soon come to an abrupt end – bedtime stories. Fortunately, for now, my LM still enjoys being read to. It calms his active mind and restless body, and readies him for the land of sleep. We read chapter books, picture books, comics, or kids graphic novels,…
It was a challenging summer. Not one filled with lazy days, small adventures, and relaxing moments. This summer proved to be unsettling. My summer began with my regular scans and blood work, as many of you know if you read my post This Space in this Moment, and I am very grateful to share that everything came back within normal…