About/Contact
Welcome!
Contact: michele.kearns@joyreturns.com
Begin your journey by clicking on the Start Here page.
…Weeping may last through the night,
but joy comes with the morning.
Psalm 30:5 (NLT)
(Chief Joy Officer)
Hello and welcome to JoyReturns.
On June 19, 1993, I became Mrs. Joseph Kearns. On March 29, 2008, I became Joe’s widow.
JoyReturns is about my thoughts, opinions, and adventures while rebuilding my life. It’s been 11 years since his unexpected move to heaven and I am still a work in progress – especially my career.
I also share Christ-centered resources, encouragement and spiritual support as you walk through your grief journey and work on rebuilding your life.
However, don’t let the title Chief Joy Officer fool you as I will not shy away from discussing tough issues. Jesus dealt with them head-on and so will I.
On the lighter note, I am also a lover of books, lipstick, music, photography, being on book launch teams, lazy days spent lounging in bed and starting my day savoring a piece of chocolate with my hazelnut coffee.
So whether or not you are a widow, I hope by reading my stories you will learn “how a modern woman takes the punch and goes on.”
My Blogging Adventure
In 2010 I heard the words “widow’s website” in my ear as I was waking up one morning. I looked up at the ceiling and told God
“Are you nuts? Joe did not teach me anything about websites before he passed!” (Joe was a computer geek)
So I did what any good Christian would do and blew God off.
However, He kept nagging at me. Finally, I did some research on widow’s websites and did not like the dark, dreary and depressing sites I found. After getting blogging advice, I wrote my first post and on 1/13/2011 it went live.
Types of Adventures
You will find stories of my adventures through joy, grief, career (including unemployment), faith and everyday life. You will also find posts by my late daughter Rommie (8/5/2002 – 7/31/2015), a golden retriever, who occasionally hacked my computer and wrote her own stories.
Enjoy your journey and if you have any questions, please contact me.
Awards / Nominations:
Received the HUG© (Hope Unites Globally) Award for nurturing hope and spreading joy throughout at least 115 countries.
Nominated for Kent State University’s 2014 Distinguished Citizen Alumni Award
Education:
B.A. Rhetoric and Communications (public speaking).
Passions:
- Photography: I love taking pictures of God’s creation. OgleOhio is my photography blog where I showcase Ohio’s scenic views – including my backyard.
- Books: The Bible, Gone With The Wind, One Lavender Ribbon, One Thousand Gifts, Chasing Francis and Healing After Loss – Daily Meditations for Working Through Grief are just some examples.
- Music: Jazz, Rock, Disco, Opera, Classical and Big Band were the musical styles I listened to growing up and still enjoy. Oh, and then there is Elvis because quality singing and entertaining never goes out of style.
- Movies: Gone With The Wind, Serenity, Sound of Music, Julie and Julia, and The King’s Speech.
- Golden Retrievers: Golden Retrievers In Need (G.R.I.N.)
Testimonial:
“…having searched the internet from end to end, yours is now the only site I visit every day. Other sites are so depressing with detailed accounts of loss (too much information), bitterness, whining, sarcasm, dark humor, woe is me. I can’t take it and it is not helpful….Your posts are uplifting and make me feel I have a friend by my side on this journey.”
Valerie
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Hi Michele, Congratulations! I’ve enjoyed your blog and so I’ve nominated you for the Sunshine Blogger Award, if you’re inclined to accept. You can go to http://marltontrainer.com/2015/10/30/sunshine-blogger-award/ for the details. 🙂
Hi Michele. I have nominated you for the wonderful team readership award:
http://writersfield.wordpress.com/2014/01/07/wonderful-readership-team-member-award/
Thank you very much for the award. All God’s blessings to you and your family.
Pleasure. Blessings to you and your family too 🙂
Fantastic! What an inspiration and pleasure to have stumbled across your blog. God bless you and your ministry. Multiplied peace and favor.
I really do enjoy really your blog. I have found that a great way to grow my blog is by sharing links with other bloggers. I would love to put a link to your site on Recipes for Our Dialy Bread just send me a link. dianeroark8484@bellsouth.net I would be thrilled for you to add my link to your site. http://recipesforourdailybread.com/
Link is enroute to you.
Hey Michele! I’m visiting from Sits! Your about page reminds me of an itemized receipt. It’s very detailed. I love the different colors and the spacing. It’s refreshing to see something a little different.
Thanks for stopping by and commenting. I wanted an About page that was different but still something people would want to read. I understand the importance of this page which is why I am somewhat insecure about it.
You totally don’t need to be. It’s great. I need to tweak mine a bit too.
Thank you for following my blog! I’m very new to this- your blog is amazing! Just wanted to thank you for your support. I hope fellow Christians will support me on my blog too! God bless Em x
You are welcome. Thank you for following mine. It takes time but followers will come. Write what is in your heart and publish on a consistent basis. I started out 5 days a week and then went to 7. The weekends I put uplifting scripture, quotes, or poems.
Let me know if I can help you in any way. God bless you on this new and exciting journey.
Hey, just to let you know, I’ve nominated your brilliant and moving blog for the HUG Award. Here’s all the info http://normsonline.wordpress.com/2012/03/13/the-daily-norm-proud-winner-of-three-new-blogging-awards/
Also the guidelines for the HUG award are here:
http://ahopefortoday.com/2012/01/14/hope-unites-globally-hug-award-guidelines/
Look forward to reading more from you soon!
Thank you. I am truly touched. I have my posts planned for Wednesday and Thursday so this post will run on Friday.