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joykwarner

@joykwarner

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Wife, mom, retired NC educator, avid lover of 📖,🥾, nature & lifelong learning. Hope to leave this world a little better than I found it.

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One of my life goals as a woman in her 60’s is to do hard things and learn new skills. I want to be forever growing and learning. I want to do unfamiliar things that slightly intimidate me. I want to model for my peeps what it looks like to be a lifelong learner. I want to always remember how intimating it feels to be the learner in the teacher/learner equation. It keeps me honest as an educator. I also want to cultivate hobbies and interests that grow me as a human. I want to prioritize nature and arts in my life as I believe these are sacred sources of peacefulness, curiosity, creativity, insight, and reflection. This summer, Zoë and I had a couple of mother/daughter pottery making dates. It was so much fun! I’ve never touched clay or a pottery wheel before but Taisia was kind, patient, and an incredible teacher, as always! Each time I look at the pieces @zoewarner_ and I made, my heart will smile. I went the first time with my dear friend, Laura Mock, and we had the best time learning with Taisia; a special moment together for many reasons. If you want to have a fun friend date where you learn something new, reach out to @millstaisia as she is one of my favorite artists. There’s nothing better than learning something new with an incredible human leading the way. She also makes gorgeous pottery that you can buy. Check out her art @whisperingfishpottery to learn more about her work. Thank you Taisia, for sharing your gifts and allowing us to spend time learning with you. So fun! by @joykwarner

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9 hours ago

Last week, I took myself to an amazing restorative yoga class at @ishineyoga . It had been far too long since I attended a class. I am forever grateful for this now annual tradition with my dear friend, Heather Boyer. @heathersboyer is incredibly special to me for many reasons but top of the list is her deep love, care, and friendship with Maw Maw and Paw Paw. Now back to that yoga class…yet again, this wondrously spinning universe led me exactly where I needed to be to do the exact thing that I needed to be doing, with the exact people I needed to see. If you’ve never attended a restorative yoga class, I highly recommend. It was profoundly impactful for me. You know what I’m talking about if you’ve experienced it; that kind of yoga class that brings goosebumps to your body and tears to your eyes. @donna_little97 teaches this class at IShine Yoga in Huntersville most Thursday mornings at 10:45. If you’re looking for an extraordinary restorative experience in a very special yoga studio, I highly recommend. At the end of the class, Donna shared a series of thoughtful and deeply reflective phrases. One of them captured my heart. It felt like a Godwink for sure. It was if it was meant for me and only me. Since that class, however, I’ve had conversations with so many people around the exact same theme and I was able to share Donna’s words that cultivated peace for me. Those words did the same for them. I keep smiling at the ripple effect that Donna had and she doesn’t even know it. My epiphany….often when we listen to our heart whispers, we do brave things and that can feel pretty scary. But….what if instead of focusing on our fear, we cultivate more calm and more peace by asking ourselves this question: “What if, instead of uncertainty, it’s actually just unfolding?” I am reminded, yet again, that we can do brave things. Sometimes we just need to stop, reflect, listen, and then do the courageous thing we feel led to do. by @joykwarner

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2 days ago

Oh my goodness! I had the BEST teahouse date with this wicked talented artist and CSD alum, @mothheart.co today. There are many things to love and admire about this human but here are a few of my favs: 1) She LOVES her sister who I also adore! You know the kind of love I’m talking about, right? That really special sister love that burns oh so brightly. 2) She’s a wickedly talented artist. She just graduated from Western Carolina with a degree in fine arts. I had the wonderful opportunity to watch her paint in her studio when @wes.k.l gave @susanbban and me the rainy day tour of campus. Needless to say, observing Ellie in her studio while she was painting was a delight. I love her artist eye for making meaning in this wild world of ours and her “uglies” make my heart smile. She’s taking on photography gigs right now if you need some special photos. She’s also looking for supplementary jobs as she builds her business. Which leads me to another favorite thing about her. 3) She’s reliable and she has a strong work ethic. Anyone would be lucky to get her. Please reach out if you know of any great opportunities for a delightful young adult stepping into this next chapter. 4) Last but not least…isn’t she adorable? She makes me smile and laugh with her wit and she’s just as lovely on the inside as she is on the outside. Ellie, thanks so much for reaching out! I had the best time with you and it was fun making new friends with other teahouse guests! Love you to the moon and back! *Swipe to see an even cuter pic of her without the old woman sidekick! by @joykwarner

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7 days ago

I’m so grateful I got to squeeze in a quick goodbye hug to one of my faves as he flies off on his grand adventure. Have the best time in Italy sweet @austin.byrd23 and keep listening to those heart whispers! I cannot wait to hear all about the trip and I’m anxious to watch this next chapter of your life UNFOLD! by @joykwarner

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7 days ago

On Thursday morning I enjoyed a delightful walk and talk at Jetton Park with this incredible human. She’s so special that we didn’t even mind that humid NC heat! I’ve adored @chunkaaasoares since she came to CSD as a little girl but we grew to be close when she was in my leadership seminar class in high school. Believe me when I say that I was the one who won the prize! I cherish our annual walk and talks since she graduated from CSD. All I can say is watch out world…this girl is on fire! Mariana just graduated from Wake Forest and she is leaving now for a big adventure in Bolivia. She’ll be teaching elementary school for the next two years and I know she will change lives. That’s just who she is! Her positivity is infectious. Her integrity and morals are steadfast. She’s smart as can be and beautiful inside and out. In addition…she faces challenges head on and is not afraid to do brave, hard things. Good luck on this next chapter in your life, dear one! I’m a text away if you need anything at all. In the meantime, I’ll be back here cheering you on from afar and impatiently awaiting our next walk and talk! I love you forever and always my forever Spartan! 💙💫💙 by @joykwarner

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7 days ago

There is no greater gift for me than spending time in nature with our grown up peeps. Five days together with @zoewarner_ @eli_warner and @_nicolecrum in the mountains doing the nerdy and relaxing things we love was just what the doctor ordered. Just breathing. Just being. The weather wasn’t perfect but the company was stellar! I’m grateful for moments of majestic views, hummingbird watching, hiking, puzzles, game night, fire pit time, reading, relaxing, yummy food, beautiful artisan pieces, lively discussion, laughter, and last but not least, a surprise bear visit on our porch as we were packing to depart! 🐻😳🐻 by @joykwarner

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8 days ago

This article in today’s paper reminded me of this novel I read a few years ago and loved. After walking Maw Maw and Paw Paw to the end of their precious lives, I have strong feelings about this topic. I am reminded of the beloved friends and family who showed up for those final days with Maw Maw and Paw Paw to say goodbye, to just sit and witness this time in their lives…and in mine. I am overwhelmed with gratitude for all who showed up to share in those sacred moments. The beginning and ending of life on earth feels so very sacred to me. It saddens me that our medical system is not aligned with how to better manage the final chapter of life with dignity and the sacred peace it deserves. We should be having conversations with our loved ones about this topic long before our family is in crisis and faced with hard decisions. Quote from the article: “That means it’s up to patients and caregivers to educate and advocate for themselves when it comes to palliative care and death doula services. We have found that talking about the dying process early, even while healthy, provides a way for people to get more of the care they want and less of what they don’t. Using online tools such as Five Wishes and The Conversation Project can help Americans think about what quality of life near the end means to them.
When caregivers and patients feel empowered in the choices they make toward the end of life, the dying process can happen with fewer shocks and emergencies – and more intention, care and dignity. But that will require significant systemic change to become a reality.” by @joykwarner

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8 days ago

I had the most fabulous coffee/tea date with the beautiful @ahay_260 today. What a treat to spend some time with this grown up human! I still remember this cutie as a gentle and quiet little girl at CSD…ADORABLE! Now she’s all grown up and extraordinary in every way. I loved hearing all about her young adult relationships with her childhood CSD best buddies. It’s such a gift to have forever friends who have known you since you were in pigtails. We also spent time looking at her gorgeous honeymoon photos from out west which was such a treat! What a wonderful adventure she and her sweet hubby had enjoying this gorgeous natural world of ours. I LOVED the video shots of Old Faithful and I also fully admit that I was perfectly fine not being in the presence of the HUGE bison they saw.😳 Andrea is beginning her third year as a first grade teacher so, of course, we talked education. She’s on a team of eight first grade teachers and I just love that she has such a terrific team of professionals with whom to work. This impressive human completed her clinical and student teaching semesters while working full-time as an assistant at her school. I’m not surprised that she got an offer the following year to be a permanent staff member. I get goosebumps when I think about those lucky students; to be loved and taught so well. Andrea, thanks so much for sharing your afternoon with me today. You live your mama’s legacy so perfectly as you teach and guide your students through first grade each year with love and compassion at the center of your work with them. I know your Mama is soooooo proud of the important work you are doing. Education is lucky to have you! Yell if you need me…I’m here for you always! I’m pretty sure our angelic Maw Maw, Paw Paw, and your sweet Mama are smiling down at you with great love and pride every single day. 💙💫💙 by @joykwarner

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11 days ago

Sooooo many hummingbirds here. They love this plant! I want one at home! #roseofsharon by @joykwarner

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15 days ago

My most recent books—I’ll be thinking about many of the characters in these books for a long, long time. The Toni Morrison book is her only short story. I highly recommend you read the foreword when you read it as it is an academic analysis of Morrison’s brilliant and intentional approach to writing this thought provoking book. It’s a reminder of our human habit of “othering” people and the need for us to remember the sacred understanding of, “…the recognition of somebody in everybody.” It took me a bit to get into Buckeye but, oh my goodness, did it hook me. The ending was poignant and beautiful and Ryan’s writing is stunning. These perfectly imperfect characters will stay with me (in my heart and my head) for a while. It’s a story about love, grief, abandonment, identity, forgiveness, and family. Calamity Club made me laugh out loud multiple times. I loved Birdie and Meg and their hysterical brutal truth as they narrate their lives! There is sadness for sure but I laughed out loud many times while reading on my porch; enough that Rogers wanted to know what I was reading. It’s a HUGE book (I read it in a week) that is intimidating at a glance but I’m so happy I read it. by @joykwarner

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18 days ago

I’m not gonna lie…watching the children you loved and helped raise become the village for the next generation is a bit overwhelming and beautiful. The love is real…and it makes my eyes leak. Happy Birthday, sweet Caroline! ♥️🎂♥️ You have a BIG village and are loved by many, including all of these aunties @zoewarner_ @carlymhuffman @abbyhumphries and sweet @danaleah . They love you and your mama @smclight more than you can imagine! by @joykwarner

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21 days ago

I started my day with a beautiful sunrise and a lovely meditation on the ideals and vision for this country. Our Founders understood both the power and responsibility of the people and the dangers of too much power with one person. I am reminded that I want to do my part to build a better world moving more towards those ideals. We have work to do and I believe when we each do something rooted in love, compassion, integrity, and honor; the collective impact is beyond imagination. May we all continue working to make the ideals on which this country was built the reality for every person. Note this important line in the Declaration of Independence (thanks to Heather Cox Richardson for reminding me!) and remember the ideals from the very beginning: “We mutually pledge to EACH OTHER our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.” It’s always been rooted in people and community. by @joykwarner

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21 days ago