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Joy Sweeting

@joysweeting66

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Embracing everyday moments of joy

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Today you turn thirty. And I’ve been recounting all the miracles that have happened in three decades. Father God has poured out favor on your life. Certainly on mine, for blessing me with a habanero like you.

I pray you will always remember that we have both received Help from the realm of Heaven—in favor,
housing, vehicles, relationships, and more uniquely, bringing each of us back from death.

May today be a filmstrip where you see the Father heart of God encountering you in good times and deep pain, in community as well as loneliness.

You are my greatest treasure from God and I speak his blessings over you, my darling. I love you always. May your confidence in God make you laugh at days to come.

Mom by @joysweeting66

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a year ago

A beautiful soul plying his trade at the Montague Fish Market. The brave conch bobbing in and out its lovely shell was no match for the conch man’s knife.

#conch #itsbetterinthebahamas #fortmontague #fishmarket #nassau by @joysweeting66

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a year ago

In our family, a small gathering isn’t likely, but gather we must.

With some of us Stateside or on other islands, and three beloved members in Heaven, when the front door opens there is an honest embrace at each arrival, something small and treasured.

We pool recipes and resources to test on the hordes, and the groaning table disappears within an hour.

Our parents were ministers who always opened the table on Sundays. That practice left each of my siblings with a strong sense of hospitality.

But we never have enough space at the table, and have to juggle whom we will invite. At Easter, Captain Bruce and Sheila, Cameron, and the Beacon One crew have a standing invite because we’re family.

And this time, we welcomed the Allens, whose friendship and hospitality crosses generations. Their love has especially covered our Tim and Logan. To celebrate together was such a blessing.

Our Dad is alive but not as mobile, so each time we gather, we take a picture to print and frame because he prays for us by name. And the father’s blessing really matters.

#blessings #numbers62426 #aaronicblessing #generations #memories #familyphotography #hospitality by @joysweeting66

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a year ago

I’m posting this hilarious shot to remind myself to set some boundaries in spheres where I lack sufficient insight.

In this case, I might have assessed the boys’ basketball skills before planting myself directly under the net for a great shot.

About 1.5 seconds after this snap, my phone went flying upon impact with the incoming basketball.

If you Zoom in, they saw it coming. When I zoomed in, I couldn’t stop laughing.

#incoming #commonsenseisnotsocommon #familytime❤️ by @joysweeting66

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a year ago

Sagie at Acropolis. Whenever the kids visit, we stop here for lunch. We used to bring them here for what their Dad called “meat on a stick”. He’s practical, their Dad, a fine cook and very fond of meat.

But Sage loved the veggie soup and tiramisu in a waffle cup. This was our goodbye lunch—for now. by @joysweeting66

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a year ago

Good Friday stroll through Sears Hill, a tropic diorama of mixed Bahamian architecture.

A holiday is the only time for pedestrian reprieve. People use these tiny lanes to cut between Shirley Street and Palmdale. Each narrow lane is one-way, squeezing traffic over speed bumps. And slowing down showcases splendid lane flowers!

Sears Hill is a unique community, once led by Betty Cole. She successfully petitioned Sir Lynden Pindling to convert the old Hatchet Bay Milk Stand into a matchbox park.

The neighbors sold homemade ice cream to pay for maintenance, and cover the cost of Christmas lights. This was a neighborhood where there was an understanding that at the end of November, the lights go up on both streets.

Over the years the community has changed.

On last night’s stroll, I photographed lilies, camellia, mulberries, jasmine, butterfly bush, and roses, all planted by a generation that has passed on. A little heartbreaking.

I gleaned the transition from rusty garden gates, and repurposed homes.

As I write this, the hospital nurses next door are soothing themselves with karaoke...

“…And I say, yes,
you look wonderful tonight.”

The rescue dogs aren’t barking, at least for now. The unofficial “mayor” of Sears Hill keeps vigil over the park, stacked with overflow parking and cars for sale. Nearby, Nassau Harbour is silent enough.

AirBNB foot traffic has quieted, and the ‘jonesers’ have drifted out to the dock for the holiday weekend. The embassy is closed. For now, all I hear is the song of the wind.

#communitydevelopment #bahamianarchitecture #itsbetterinthebahamas #oldneighborhood #karaoke #urban #eveningwalk #tropicalgardening taken in Nassau Bahamas by @joysweeting66

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a year ago

This beautiful family captured my heart, out kite flying on the East End Bend. I could hardly hold my cell phone steady because the wind was so strong.

The moment had so much nostalgia. Making kites used to be as common here in The Bahamas as fishing, shooting marbles, and playing jacks.

I am told Long Island used to celebrate “Toby Days” with kites constructed of brown paper, sticks and string. Kites soared when the prevailing winds shifted in fall.

Bahamian Long Islander affectionately dubbed the month of October, “Toby,” perhaps a nautical nod to ancient times when we lived more attuned to tides and wind. Centuries ago, sailors named the winds. We lost much of that knowledge to industrialization.

But it’s April now and this young family is celebrating Easter Holidays with family time by the water. The spring winds played along today.

With @rizzi23 and crew

#kites, #realbahamas #itsbetterinthebahamas #familytime❤️ #resurrectfamily #easterweekend #bahamianculture by @joysweeting66

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a year ago

This post isn’t for you, it’s for me, so maybe I can sleep tonight.

As a mom and a woman and a human, I can’t breathe.

I believe there are universals, like not strangling two innocents and their mom.

#bringthemhomenow #forgiveus #bibas #orange #israel #bahamas #shoah #criticalthinking #tencommandments #passover #letmypeoplego #lchaim #cultureofdeath #whentheytellyouwhotheyarebelievethem by @joysweeting66

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2 years ago

Happy 29th to you, Zoe! I really don’t know ANYONE who celebrates birthdays as well as you.

Your birthday month always reminds me of sunflowers 🌻 because those are the ones Auntie Christal brought into the Royal Alex after you were born. They’re tall, splendid, full of glory, nourishing, just like you!

And sometimes you have to chew off the husk to get to the delicious seed inside. That’s you, too, tackling the heart of things.

Today I had so much gratitude for your life and how God picked me to be your Mom. I went through boxes of pictures and was overwhelmed by all the beautiful family (and friends who became family) whom God sent to be our village. If letters were still a thing, I would have so many to thank. And I think I shall.

But not before telling you how much I love you. I’m proud of you. Stay focused and in faith. God means you to be here for such a time as this. Jeremiah 29:11 by @joysweeting66

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2 years ago

by @joysweeting66

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2 years ago

This sign made me howl today.

What’s the name of this establishment?

And who did the brilliant branding?

I have questions.

First in a series of signs that make me wonder.

V2 - Apparently so cryptic that it needs interpreting…I think it’s meant to sound like “Wrong Way.” Only it’s misspelled in English and Vietnamese. by @joysweeting66

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2 years ago

Remembering my friend, Joe. Talented artist. Carpenter. Philosopher. Father. Survived the unimaginable as a Bahamian child who lost his Mom around four years old. His dad sent him away to family in the States, where he ended up with a degree in life on the streets by the time he was 13. He had to overcome so much to become a wonderful father to his daughter.

He inherited a bar in Adelaide where he sold his paintings. He sold the bar to pay for his daughter’s chemotherapy.
He lived off construction across The Bahamas, surviving several house fires.

A cousin brought him back home. They called him L’il Joe.

I met him through Sidney at Knowles Upholstery, a guy who can size up a man in seconds. He hired Joe to paint and maintain the shop, renovate his apartment. He sold Joe’s art. We loved Joe deeply.

I took this photo in the shop a few years ago, and I’m so glad I did. by @joysweeting66

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2 years ago